The State Rights Democrat

During the afternoon session of yesterday a statement of the position of this faction of the conference was prepared, setting forth substantially the facts already given, and giving the following reasons for their position:

1. Two applicants for the ministry were refused examination because they answered in the affirmative when asked whether they believed that Bishop Thomas Bowman had been legally suspended.

2. Two men being appointed by the board of missions to the Oregon conference during the year, and as it is customary for the conference to pay one-half of the traveling expenses of such appointees, the majority of the conference agreed to do so again, provided that two other men with proper credentials, and who came at their own expense, be also received into the conference. To this the ex-bishop's adherents, voicing his sentiments, positively refused to agree.

3. Threats were made that several prominent members of this conference would be suspended because they had circulated a religious paper known as the Evangelical, and because they had furnished evidence to the committee that tried and suspended Bishop I.J. Esher. All efforts to learn whether these threats would be carried out were met with such replies as indicated that they would be carried out at any cost.

4. The epithet "Publishing house robbers," applied to us by this would-be bishop, we declare to be a base slander, as we demand nothing more than the money appropriated a year ago for services which were rendered during this past year.

These are but few of the many reasons and facts which we might place before the public, and which have influenced us in taking the position we do.

We ask for nothing but what is right. We demand that our convictions be respected and the laws of our church be obeyed by our church officials, as well as by the ministry and the laity, and we know that a thinking public will approve of our course in standing like men for what our consciences and our convictions hold to be right in the sight of God.

Signed: C.C. Poling, F.S. Locke, H.S. Pratt, C.N. Plowman, J.M. Beauchamp, J.M. Dick, N.S. Haines, A.R. Johnson, E.S. Bolinger, J.L. Hershner, J. Bowersox, W.C. Kantner, M.J. Ballentine, W.L. Beaumont, Thos. A. Yost, D.V. Poling, F.J. Strayer.

SECOND DAY.

Conference was opened with devotional exercises by the president, Rev. J. Bowersox.

Journal of first day's session was read and approved.

Committee on worship presented the following report:

Preaching in the M.E. church, south, as follows:

Saturday, 7:45 p.m., Rev. E.S. Bollinger

Sunday, 10:45 a.m., Rev. W.C. Kantner, Pres. of Lafayette seminary.

Sunday, 3:30 p.m., ordination service Rev. J. Bowersox.

Sunday, 7:45 p.m., missionary services, Addresses by Rev. J.M. Dick and President Kantner.

Sunday, preaching at East Portland and Albina, Rev. C.C. Poling.

The treasurer of the missionary society presented his report.

Committee on quarterly conference records reported, adopted.

The following resolution was adopted:

Whereas: We are the duly and legally organized and constituted Oregon conference of the Evangelical association, and as such control the property situate within the bounds of this conference, therefore

Resolved: That no such property can be legally conveyed unless it be ordered and sanctioned by this conference body, and that the respective board of trustees of the Evangelical association, in the state of Oregon, and the state of Washington, and the public generally, be, and hereby are apprised thereof, and instructed to govern themselves accordingly, as all conveyances otherwise ordered are illegal.

Lafayette, Oregon, was chosen as the place, and the first Thursday of April, 1891, as the time, for the next annual conference session.

The following constitute the board of examiners.

Applications for the ministry.--L.M. Dick, W.L. Beaumont.

First year's class.--A.R. Johnson, M.J. Ballantyne.

Second year's class.--J. Bowersox, W.C. Kantner.

Third year's class.--C.C. Poling, J.M. Beauchamp.

Fourth year's class.--E.S. Bollinger, F.S. Locke.

Committee on finance reported, adopted.

Adjourned.

Conference Reporter.