Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-05-29
DENVER FOR NEXT MEETING
DESIGNATED BY PRESBYTER-
Ian GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
But One Ballot Taken for Two Con-
testing Cities-Routine Mat
tiers Discussed Today.

KANSAS CITY. Mo-. May 29.-Denver
was this morning selected as the city
in which next years general assembly
of the Presbyterian Church in the United
States of America is to be held. But
one ballot was taken for the two con-
testing cities. The vote was so nearly
unanimous that Seattle withdrew and the
Colorado capital finally was selected with
one voice.
The invitation of Denver to entertain
the great gathering in 1909 was accom-
panied with a promise of bonus of
S35,N0. offered by that city. to entertain
the delegates and guests.
Important matters of a routine nature
were taken up by the general assembly
of the Presbyterian Church in the United
States of America today
The selection of a city for next year.
assembly developed warm contest be
tween Denver and Seattle candidates for
the honor. Oklahoma City, which entered
the race for the assembly a few days
ago. withdrew from the contest before
the voting began. Denver in presenting
her claims. made much of the argument
that 1t would cost the assembly less to
meet in Colorado than to go to the Pa
citic coast AS there has been much
complaint about the burden the general
assembly is upon the churches. this con-
sideration had much weight with the com
missionerS.
The report of the committee on bills
and overtures. of which DR. William IL.
Roberts of Philadelphia is chairman, was
presented at the morning session 1t is
the function of this committee to rec
ommend or reject the various apprOpri-
atoms recommended by the different
boards of the church. and to pass upon
troubled conditions in the preshyteries
throughout the country which the pres
byteries cannot adjust themselves.
Important Action Yesterday.
The most important action of yester-
day afternoons session was the adoption
of resolution which makes it impossible
for any paid agent or member of the
church boards or permanent officer of the
general assembly, except the modera or
to serve on the executive commission. the
ruling body of the administrative affairs
OF the church.
The creating of the executive en-
bodied in the report of the committee of
administrative agencies. adopted by the
assembly and is the direct re: ult o. the
recurring cry that certain men in the
church were acquiring too much power
From this time forth new men will be
In charge of the government of the
church The action today means that all
the church boards will report TO the exec
utive commission of fifteen members
when it has been selected. and that the
government of the church will devolve
on men who have not hereto. ore served
in executive capacities.
Alleged Church Ring.
While the speeches made before the as
sembly indicated that a half dozen men
were in the so-called church ring" it is
an open secret that DR.. William Henry
Roberts of Philadelphia, the retiring mod
orator. was the one man against whom
the protests were mostly aimed Com
mlssioners talking about Dr. Roberts said
they loved him. but that he was so eff
Gent In the affairs of the church that his
very ability gave him more power than
one man should have. He has been in
the assembly so long they said that he
had an intimate knowledge of every de-
tail Of the church government and v.r-
tually dominated the business affairs o..
the church.
DR.. William McKibbin of Cincinnati and
DR.. Z. I. Lee and Rev. Charles Seaman
OF Pittsburg made force:ul addres ses in
support Of temperance
The church reaffirmed its position tina,
divorce should be granted only on bibl!-
cal grounds.