The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-10-15

ganized. 1t is the further judgment of
this committee that more time should
be taken for working out the details of
the plan for delegate conven-
tion and the unification of our mis-
sionary and philanthropic interests.
your committee asks, therefore,
that it be given a, years extension of
time; and that it be enlarged by the
addition of three members, none of
whom shall be members of any of our
boards; these additional members to
be appointed by the president of this
convention; report to be made one
year hence.
ALLAN B. Philputt, chairman; ]. H.
Morhorter, secretary; w. F. Richard
son, G. J. Tanner, w. A. Baldwin, w.
]. Wright, Mrs. Anna r. Atwater.
Eyes, Good, No, No? Never" came
from all parts of the convention hall.
A dozen men were on their feet. Pres
ident Ainslee was shouting and WaV-
ing his hands. He pounded the table
for order. but the convention would
not be quiet. Something had happen
ed to disturb the equilibrium of staid,
gray haired old men in the audience.
1t was the convention plan. A dozen
questions were before the convention.
President Ainslee recognized a motion
to limit individual speeches to three
minutes. Five minutes later the rule
was violated.
Does the question before the con-
vention bind us to any part of the re-
port?" asked delegate.
yes" volunteered someone in the
gallery.
mo, of course not; you can't bind
us to anything" shouted another.
Chairman Philputt was recognized
by the chair.
eff this question carries,,'' shouted
Philputt, sit commits this convention
to a general delegate convention. and
postpones further consideration till
next year.
Fighting Spirit in Evidence.
Then ]. B. Briney of Kentucky got
the floor and officially started the af-
ternoon's fireworks for the conserva-
tives.
ANY attempt by this committee to
railroad this resolution through the
convention and jam something down
the Threats of the people in this house,
will start something that cannot be
readily stopped declared Briney with
a fighting spirit that brought forth
shouts of approval and invitations to sit
down. THE passage of that resolution
will divide the Church of Christ and
start an eruption within us that will
arouse the world
you have Just one minute more in
which to talk" said President Ainslee.
"Mr. President with the consent of
my second and this convention. I with
drew my former motion to limit the
time" said McCash, who had advocat-
Never mind Brother Briney, you
can have my time" said an old man
in the front row, who had arisen, prob
ably with the intention to speak.
1.-THE very idea, of limiting discus
sions to three minutes on such a ques-
ton as this said the Kentuckian.
"Why this is the most important ques-
ton that has ever come before our
conventions. 1t involves legal issues,
it involves the charters of our church.
lou IN 1n1y %a16
that such an act as this would be IL
legal
Briney then surrendered the floor
to Garrison.
I'VE have not the time and very
plainly we are not in the spirit to dis
cuss this question at this time said
Mr.. Garrison.
'I move we adjourn" shouted a lit
tie man with a trembling voice.
NO, we can't adjourn now" said
President Ainslee. I'VE cannot ad
journ this convention without prayer"
Pleads Against Partisan Spirit.
Mcpherson, of Texas, was recog
nized. 81 want to say to this conven-
ton that this committee should be
instructed to publish in all our church
papers a. full copy of its report not
less than thirty days before the date
matter peaceably. We must do away
with this partisan spirit"
'Mr. President, I rise to the ques-
ton of a personal privilege" yelled
Briney. as he turned toward the man
from Texas "I want you to under
stand, sir, that I am no more par
tisan that you are. If this convention
is willing to vote on the question of
retaining this committee another year,
L am favorable"
The question of a vote on the re-
tanning of the Philputt committee and
the adding of three additional mem
bers was submitted and carried.
An adjournment was moved and
carried.
Under the action of the convention,
action on every paragraph of the re-
port is deferred until the Portland
convention. The heated discussion of
the substitute resolution showed the
great division of the convention Both
sides are we'll organized. When the
Portland convention meets they will
be organized even better than this
year.
The dispute showed the pent up
feeling of the delegates and members
of the various boards declined to
take any action in the controversy.
The chances for trouble back home
were too great.
st doubt if the churches ever will
get together on this matter" said one
delegate after the adjournment. IF
the question of a convention system
here today. how will the church ever
work out the problem of a revision in
the constitution and by-laws?
AfnsIee Reverses His Policy.
The first shock of the afternoon came
Immediately following the devotional SEES
sion President Ainslie in opening the
session remarked:
Il am glad your people are burdened
with credentials. Now. take these Gre
dentials back home with you and keep
them as a souvenier of the convention of
1910 You will not need them. This was
a complete reversal of the policy an
nounced by President Ainslee a few
months ago. Delegates who had come
prepared to prove their right to a place
in the convention looked mournfully at
their typewriter credentials; then placed
them back in their pockets.
Alberto Clot, representative of the
American Waldensian society, was the
first speaker. He outlined the work and
policy of this Italian organization and