Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-04-05
DEBATE IN CONFERENCE
Plan to Save Salary of One rr.ner-
intendent Warmly Discussed.
FIvE-MINUTE SPEECHES MADE
Resolution Finally Rejected by 81 to
61-Silver Service for Sec
rotary Maydwell.
Special Dispatch TO The Star.

BALTIMORE. Nd April "a reso-
luton. offered by Rev J. NJ Gllum OF
the Forest Park Methodist Episcopal
Church. to reduce the number of con-
ference districts from five to four mark
ed the opening of this Mornings session
OF the Baltimore annual conference
Methodist Episcopal Church. at the
Broadway Church. After much debate
it was voted down
After the reading Of the resolution b.
F. Clarkson proposed that the time OF a
speaker be limited to five minutes. After
a short discussion the motion was pass
ed. but not before Or. c. W. Baldwin
had made a motion that II be laid on the
table.
In speaking to the resolution. Mr. Gill
lum said In each OF the five districts
there are about forty appointments. and
the district superintendent visits each
appointment four times each year
Now. if we should reduce the number
Of districts" said Mr.. Gillum, 1.-THE SUI
perintendent would only get around
twice a year to fifty-five places. He would
do much better work and also save shoe
leather and car fare
DR.. c. Herbert Richardson said that the
salary of a district superintendent %.
ably supported him that he could afford
to buy shoes and pay his car fare. He
opposed the resolution.
Salary Needed Elsewhere.
Rev. j. NJ. NJ. Gray said that the
trouble with eldership was not at the
shoe end. but in the head. He said the
salary Of the fifth district superintendent
ia
than keeping an unnecessary presiding
elder.
B. F. Clarkson was of the opinion there
was already a scarcity of good district
superintendent He said he has known
many pastors to pay the salaries out Of
their own pockets.
Superintendents help to build up the con-
ference. Rev. A. F. Campbell said. and
aid appointments In their districts. Rev.
s. W. Grafton suggested that the dis
Baltimore. Washington and western
Maryland. This was received with laugh
ter
Rev. Job. Price. an ex-presiding elder.
was in favor of the resolution. Some
time ago, he said. he prepared plans for
four districts but they were laid on the
table without proper consideration.
He stated that In Philadelphia. where
they have more churches. more appoint
ments and give more money than the
Baltimore conference, they have only four
districts.
Dr.. q. c. Bacon said the conference
reminded him OF q quarterly conference
where the first important question was:
Are there any appealsg" and the last.
Where shall the next conference be?"
Dr. Bacon sat down after saying the reso-
luton ought to pass without further de-
bate.
A. J. Gill and Dr. A. F. Rails each had
something to say In favor of the resolu-
ton. NJ. r. B. Rice, at present a district
superintendent. said the laymen never
think of making a kick Of any kind UNI
less the pastor does.
Resolution Voted Down.
Here it was decided that a vote he
taken. After the count 1t was found
there were sixty-one in favor and ninety
four against the resolution.
Dr. Robert Forbes, secretary Of the
Board of Home Missions and Church Ex-
tension. was introduced by Bishop Ham,
fhon, who is presiding over the confer
ence. DR.. Forbes speech was short and
to the point.
"All / ask for" he said, "is that COM
mttees be appointed at the quarterly
conferences to give help in the cause"
100000 negroes in America that needed
help and the people ought to get busy.
Edgar Blake, representing the board OF
Sunday schools. made a short talk on the
conditions existing in the northwest. At
1890 o. clock the conference was adjourn
ed until this afternoon.
Just before the time for adjournment
Rev. G. E. Maydwell. secretary of the
conference, was presented a silver tea
SERVICE consisting of nine pieces, nv
Bishop Hamilton. The gift was in recog-
milton of his services.