Gambar halaman
PDF
ePub

Government.-The following were the State officers during the year: Governor, Lon V. Stephens; Lieutenant Governor, August H. Bolte; Secretary of State, Alexander A. Lesueur; Treasurer, Frank L. Pitts; Auditor, James M. Seibert; Adjutant General, M. Fred Bell; Attorney-General, E. C. Crow; Superintendent of Education, W. T. Carrington; Railroad and Warehouse Commissioners, T. J. Hennessey, J. Flory, W. E. McCully; Secretary State Board of Agriculture, John R. Rippey; Commissioner of Insurance, E. T. Orear-all Democrats, except Flory, Republican; Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, James B. Gantt; Associate Justices, Thomas A. Sherwood, Gavon D. Burgess, L. B. Valliant, W. C. Marshall, Theodore Brace, Democrats, and Walter M. Robinson, Republican; Clerk, J. R. Green, Democrat.

Finances.-The report of State finances given in the last issue of the Annual is the latest of ficial statement. Figures under this heading are published biennially. The approximate amount required to meet ordinary expenses of the State government for 1899-1900 is $4,666,446. The estimated receipts into the State interest fund in 1899-1900 are $2,100,000; amount to be appropriated for interest on bonds and certificates of indebtedness, $754.943.94; leaving $1,345,056.06, which amount should be appropriated for the payment of bonds. The estimated receipts into the revenue fund for 1899 and 1900 are $4,500,000 (predicated upon present laws), leaving a deficit for ordinary expenses of $166,446.

Building and Loan Associations.-The Hon. H. L. Gray, State supervisor of the building and loan associations, in his biennial report says: "Reports have been received from 222 associations-141 from associations outside of St. Louis and 81 in St. Louis. The tables of resources and liabilities show a total of $18,255,186.22; outside of St. Louis, $9,816,400.92: in St. Louis, $8,438,785.30." There are in the State 226 associations. There are 66 fewer reporting associations in 1898 than there were in 1896; 33 fewer than in 1897. The assets are $8,097,768.58 less than 1896 and $4,242,523.27 less than in 1897. Of the reporting 'associations, 27 are called nationals, because they do not confine their operations to the city of their domicile; their resources are $5,242,663.21, leaving to the 195 locals $13,012,523.01.

Department Stores." In connection with the trusts and monopolies,'" says Gov. Stephens in his message of Jan. 5 to the Legislature, "I desire to call your attention to the large department stores in St. Louis and Kansas City. It is told to me by many of the prominent citizens of St. Louis and Kansas City that they are detrimental to the best interests of the people of the State, affecting as they do the great majority; and as legislation is for the purpose of conferring the greatest good to the greatest number, you should correct these evils, if evils they are found to be. Arguments have been presented to me to show that these department stores in the cities of over 100,000 inhabitants are ruining the small dealers in the country towns as well as in the cities. They are building up a great combination of goods under one roof, and depriving the smaller dealers of their legitimate profit, and are forcing them out of business altogether." Education.-In the session of 1899-1900 the State University enrolled at Columbia about 1,000 students, and at Rolla about 160. This means an increase of nearly 28 per cent. The enrollment in the cadet corps is 270-the largest muster in the history of the university. All departments of the university except that of military science

and tactics are open to women under the same conditions as to men. The last General Assembly appropriated for the university $57,000 for the biennial period, $33,000 for the erection of a dormitory for boys, and $10,000 for ordinary repairs.

The condition of the public schools of Missouri can be accurately learned from the following data given by State Superintendent Carrington for the school year ending June 30: Enrollment-white, male, 323,096; female, 314,808; colored, male, 14,347; female, 15,767; grand total, 668,018; average daily attendance, 416,364; number of pupils that may be seated-white, 674,120; colored 33,013; number of volumes in the libraries, 168,720; value of libraries, $121,723.72; number of teachers employed-male, 5,979; female, 7,803; white, 13,153; colored, 629; average salaries of teachers per month, $45; number of schools in operation (corresponding to number of schoolhouses)--white, 9,842; colored, 484; number of schoolhouses built during 1898-'99, 298; estimated value of school property, $17,020,880; assessed value of the taxable property, $1,106,066,625. Penal Institutions.-The Reform School for boys, at Boonville, is in a flourishing condition. More boys have been sent to it within the past two years than at any time in its history, owing to the more liberal laws governing it which were passed by the last Legislature. There are 430 boys in the school. The school is well equipped. An industrial shop building, a cottage for boys, and a hospital have been added, covering an appropriation of $12,500, and 186 acres of good land adjoining the State's property have been purchased from an appropriation of $7,000.

On Jan. 1, 1899, there was a balance in the State treasury to the credit of the earnings of the Penitentiary of $56,555.45. The number of convicts is increasing rapidly. On Jan. 1 there were 2,327 inmates. An average of 1,362 daily during the past two years were employed by the contractors at the rate of 50 cents a day.

Charitable Institutions.-At the beginning of the year there were nearly 2,500 patients at Fulton, St. Joseph, and Nevada insane asylums. The enrollment at the School for the Deaf and Dumb for 1898-'99 is reported as 240 males and 164 females. At the School for the Blind the enrollment for 1898-'99 was 61 males and 64 females. The report of the Confederate Home shows that the average number of persons cared for is 147, including old soldiers, their wives, and their children under fourteen years of age.

Agriculture. The Governor, in his message of Jan. 5, 1899, strongly recommended the establishment of an annual State agricultural fair, such as is held in many other States, and the Legislature passed an act authorizing a State fair. On May 19 the Legislature appropriated $30,000 for the erection of an agricultural experiment station, with laboratory buildings, in Columbia.

Mining. In 1898 large sums of money were invested by capitalists outside of the State in Missouri developed and undeveloped mineral lands. As a result of the extraordinary prices and demand for ores, an activity prevails in the mining districts never before experienced. The large increase of $2,833,415 in the value of the product for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1898, over the year before, with the promise based upon the actual business of six months of the current year of a $3,000,000 increase over the last year, shows a marvelous development. "This rapid growth," says Gov. Stephens, "and especially in the case of the zinc ore product, can not be classed

[ocr errors]

as spasmodic, for the reason that the new uses to which it has of late been applied cover so wide a field, and the territory in which it has thus far been developed is so limited (for Missouri now produces one sixth of the entire zinc output of the world), that good prices must prevail for some time. The importance of our mining industry can be better appreciated when we realize the extent of the claim made that the lead and zinc ore product for this year of the Jasper County alone will exceed in value the gold and silver production of the celebrated Cripple Creek region.' During the year 1,038 shafts were operated in Missouri lead, zinc, and coal fields, in and about which 16,000 men were employed. Railroads. The number of companies operating railroads in Missouri June 30, 1898, was 58. Of these but ten declared dividends on their capital stock, and of the roads operated but two -the Hannibal and St. Joseph and Kansas City Suburban Belt-are wholly within Missouri. The following-named railroads were in the hands of receivers June 30, 1898: St. Clair, Madison and St. Louis Belt; St. Louis, Kansas City and Colorado; and St. Louis, Cape Girardeau and Fort Smith. The increase in the railroad mileage of Missouri for 1898 was greater than any year since 1892, the increase for that year being 240 miles. The larger proportion of the increase was in the extension of the Kansas City, Osceola and Southern and the lines controlled by the Kansas City, Pittsburg and Gulf Railroad Company. The total railroad mileage, June 30, 1898, was 8,495.72. The aggregate capital stock of companies operating in the State on that date was $1,028,108,946. The total of taxes paid was $817,799.07.

Industries.-The report of Thomas P. Rixey, Commissioner of Labor Statistics, for the year ending Nov. 5, 1899, shows for 40 leading industries the following statistics: Value of grounds, $11,533,603; buildings, $16,257,756; machinery, $13,288,759; capital invested, $70,322,334; goods manufactured, $126,932,008; material and supplies used during 1898, $77,512,396; amount of taxes paid, $3,491,826.

Proposed Exposition.-The centennial anniversary of the purchase of the Louisiana territory, in 1803, by the United States from France will be celebrated in St. Louis during the years 1903 and 1904. The celebration was decided upon by a convention, held Jan. 19, of delegates rep resenting the States and Territories included within the original purchase. It was also decided that the observance should be in the form of a great international exposition, in which the United States Government, the States and Territories, and foreign countries should be invited to participate.

Cyclone. On April 27, 1899, north and northeast Missouri were visited by a devastating cyclone; portions of the cities of Kirksville and Newtown were laid waste, causing an appalling destruction of life and property. About 50 persons were killed, and hundreds were injured and possibly maimed for life. The homes of more than 500 families were totally destroyed by the elements. Gov. Stephens made an appeal for aid in behalf of the sufferers, and the response was hearty and prompt from all parts of the State. Lawlessness.-Under the directions of the father of the girl whom he had assaulted, and close to the scene of his crime, Frank Embree, a negro, was flayed and then lynched at Fayette, on July 22, by a mob. The lynching occurred at the hour that had been set for the prisoner's trial. The mob wrested Embree from a squad of

deputy sheriffs after a spirited struggle. Embree is the third negro that has been hanged for criminal assault on white women in Howard County. Political. The Legislature consists of 9 Republicans and 25 Democrats in the Senate, and 58 Republicans, 80 Democrats, and 2 Populists in the House. The House and Senate on Jan. 17 voted separately for United States Senator to succeed Francis M. Cockrell for the term of six years beginning March 4, 1899, the vote being: Senate R. C. Kerens (Republican) 9, Cockrell (Democrat) 25; House-Kerens 52, Cockrell 76. The election took place in joint session on the following day, resulting in the election of Mr. Cockrell for the fifth term, the vote being Kerens, 61; Cockrell, 103.

MONTANA, a Western State, admitted to the Union Nov. 8, 1889; area, 146,080 square miles. The population, according to the census of 1890, was 132,159. Capital, Helena.

Government. The following were the State officers in 1899: Governor, Robert B. Smith; Lieutenant Governor, A. E. Spriggs; Secretary of State, T. S. Hogan; Treasurer, T. E. Collins; Auditor, T. W. Poindexter, Jr.; Attorney-General, C. B. Nolan; Superintendent of Education, E. A. Carleton-all elected on a fusion ticket of Democrats and Populists; Adjutant General, C. F. English; Commissioner of Agriculture, J. H. Calderhead; Land Agent, Henry Neill; Land Register, H. D. Moore; Mine Inspector, John Byrne; President of the State Board of Sheep Commissioners, T. C. Power; Examiner, J. G. Moroney; Architect, C. S. Haire; Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Theodore M. Brantley, Republican; Associate Justices, W. H. Hunt, Republican, and W. T. Pigott, Democrat; Clerk, Henry G. Rickerts, Democrat.

Finances. The receipts of the treasury from all sources in the year ending Nov. 30 amounted to $1,081,036.65. In the year $558,727.27 in warrants were drawn. On Dec. 1, 1898, $337,649.21 in general fund warrants were outstanding, and Dec. 1, 1899, there were $376,042. The interest paid on general fund warrants amounted to about $13,000, but by reason of the reduction in the interest rate by the Legislature the interest is expected to be much less the coming year. The cash on hand in the treasury on Nov. 30 was $637,416.62.

Valuations.-The value placed upon property for assessment in 1898, exclusive of railroads, was $119,960,108. The value for 1899, as given by county assessors, was $125,829,181. The railroads were valued at $14,992.689 in 1899; in 1898, at $13,793,581. The live-stock valuation was increased $1,474,741 in 1899. There was a general protest among those interested against the values placed by the State Board of Equalization on cattle and sheep for purposes of taxation. The total valuation of cattle is $12,057,087; horses, $3,289,717; sheep, $8,302,944, making the total assessment $23,649,748. The assessors' reports show 3,186,742 head of sheep in the State, which have been assessed at an average of $2.60. The average assessment of beef cattle was $37.37; of yearlings, two year olds and three year olds $21.83, and of cows $25.71. The assessors this year found 1,173 thoroughbred horses, 133,642 range horses, and 59,672 work horses. The average assessment of thoroughbred horses was $95.76; range horses, $11.28; and work horses, $27.99.

The attempt of a county board to tax the Associated Press franchises of newspapers was not sustained, the county attorney deciding that they were not franchises in the strict sense of the

word, but contracts between the agency and the papers.

Education. The estimates for the higher in stitutions of learning of the State for the biennial period were: Normal school, $29,910; university, $42,180; College of Agriculture and experiment station, $15,910, in addition to the Government appropriation; School of Mines, $26,300. It is expected that the School of Mines will be ready for opening in September, 1900. The dedication exercises of the State University, at Missoula, took place Feb. 18.

A table of the libraries of the State gives the total number of volumes as 157,000. It includes not only public and free libraries and those in State institutions, but those of school districts and of private institutions.

The school children of the State have chosen the pine by vote as the State tree. Last Arbor Day they planted 375 trees.

The Supreme Court gave a decision in October which threatens to close the schools for a large part of the time before the next session of the Legislature in some parts of the State. The law, passed some years ago and amended in 1897, providing for the voting of special school levies was declared inoperative, because of vagueness and ambiguity in its wording. The law came before the courts on a suit by the Great Northern Railroad, which refused payment of a tax of $1.800 levied after vote according to the law.

Charities and Corrections.-The number of inmates at the State Soldiers' Home, Dec. 1, was 51, the same number as on Dec. 1, 1898. In the year 19 were admitted, 10 died, and 9 were discharged. The average age is between 62 and 63. The receipts were $11,308.30, of which $7,200 was the State appropriation, $3,358 came from the Government, and the remainder from pensions retained. The total expenses were $9,894.24.

The deaf-mute asylum cost the State for the year $12,683.02.

The report of the Commissioners for the Insane shows that, while there were 457 patients in the asylum on Dec. 1, 1898, there were 427 at the same date in 1899, of whom 375 were men. The whole number treated during the year was 602. The total cost of maintenance was $114,140.50 for the year; $2,250 was received for those not indigent.

In the State Prison there were 328 convicts on Dec. 1; in the year 148 had been received, 183 released, and 6 had died. The cost of maintenance was $52,806.40. The contractors reported great improvement in the conduct of the prisoners this year. They have organized a full military band among the inmates.

Products. The sheep industry is reported to have yielded about $4,500,000 during the year ending Nov. 30. Of this amount about $3,000,000 came from the sale of wool. The number of sheep and lambs slaughtered or shipped out of the State since March 1 was 368,421; the number of pounds of wool sheared was 23,290,639.

The latest figures at hand on the mineral production are for 1898, published in May. They show that the total value of mineral products of the State that year was $51,319,067.15. Of this amount the following sums were contributed by the different metals: Gold, valued at $5.247,912.91; silver, $19,159,842; copper, 216,979,354 fine pounds, valued at $26,102,616.29.. The value of the lead taken out of the mines last year was $809,035.78.

The Mine Inspector says of 1899: "A comparison of the mining industry during the year with previous years exhibits a marked improvement. More mines are in operation, a greater number VOL. XXXIX.-A 33

of men employed, with better methods and results in the mining, smelting, milling, cyaniding, and the combination of these and other processes which are being applied to the recovery of values contained in the ores of this State. Several old mines, after a long period of inactivity, have resumed operations, and are yielding handsome profits from a class of ores that were worthless to their early operators."

Lands. In the year 218,058 acres were selected for the State. This nearly completes the location of lands to which Montana is entitled. Of the several grants made by Congress, all have now been filled, with the exception of the public buildings grant and the Agricultural College income grant, which have approximately 45,000 and 3,500 acres respectively to be selected.

To meet the unusual demand for grazing lands the Land Agent, acting under instructions of the board, selected 115,000 acres of indemnity school land in lieu of the school lands upon the Fort Peck Indian reservation, also 21,000 acres of lieu lands for school lands claimed by homesteaders and miners.

The Northern Pacific, having facilities for ascertaining the exact location of valuable bodies of timber on unsurveyed land, forestalls the State in regard to many desired locations and places forest-reserve scrip upon them. In addition, speculators have secured large amounts of California forest-reserve scrip, and are indefatigable in their searching and scripping the unsurveyed domain.

The report of the Land Register shows a large increase in business, the receipts for the year ending Nov. 30 having been $200,195.20, against $126,883.31 the preceding year. Of the sum received, $100,415.80 was for leases, $41,666.23 for timber sales, and $27,098.78 for land sales of the year, the remainder coming from payments on sales and rental of preceding years.

Insurance. The fire companies doing business in the State in 1898 wrote $37,396,391.69 of insurance, $739,954.29 was received in gross premiums, $255,255.31 losses paid, and $246,783.14 in losses incurred.

The regular life insurance companies collected in premiums $703,262, and incurred losses of $154,115, and had at the end of the year $20,192,799 insurance in force.

The mutual benefit companies received $30,526 and disbursed $24,000.

The New Capitol.-The corner stone of the new Capitol was laid July 4. Joseph K. Toole, first Governor of the State, was the orator of the day. He deprecated the inscription on the great seal of the State, "Oro y Plata" (gold and silver), and suggested as a better motto, "No tyrannical sentiment can intimidate, no gilded bribes seduce."

Legislative Session.-The Legislature was in session from Jan. 2 to March 2. T. P. Cullen was President pro tempore of the Senate and Henry C. Stiff was Speaker of the House.

There were in the Senate 5 Republicans, 18 Democrats, and 1 Populist; in the House, 10 Republicans, 56 Democrats, and 4 Silver Republicans, but 1 Democratic Senator was later unseated in favor of a Republican.

The election of a successor to United States Senator Lee Mantle devolved upon this Legislature. The leading candidates were W. A. Clark and W. G. Conrad, both Democrats. Other candidates who received support were J. K. Toole, T. C. Marshall, J. M. Fox, F. M. Malone, E. D. Matts, C. S. Hartman, Lee Mantle, H. L. Frank, C. W. Hoffman, Martin Maginnis, and Messrs.

Sanders, Grubb, Powers, Goddard, Henry, C. R. Leonard, Hedges, Carney, and L. A. Luce.

On Jan. 9 a resolution was passed providing for a joint committee to investigate charges of bribery in connection with the senatorial contest against members of the Legislature and lobbyists. The next day the committee reported to a joint session that evidence had been found upon which to base an indictment before a grand jury, and asked that the matter be referred to the district attorney with that purpose. State Senator Whiteside made a speech in which he said that, in order to get a case against the corruptionists, he had taken $5,000 from John B. Wellcome, acting for W. A. Clark, with the understanding that he was to get more if he should negotiate successfully for the purchase of other legislators, and that he received $25,000 for three others-Messrs. Myers, Clark, and Garr-who also went into the scheme for the purpose of exposing the attempt at bribery. This money ($30,000) was turned over to the committee, and from them to the joint session, and the three members made statements concerning it. The Legislature accepted the report, resolved to ask for a grand jury investigation, and continued the committee. The money was intrusted to the State Treasurer. A grand jury was called Jan. 11, and on Jan. 26 reported that 44 witnesses had been examined, and that, "while there has been some evidence which tends to show that money has been used in connection with the election of a United States Senator, it has been contradicted and explained in such a way that all the evidence introduced before us, taken together, would not, in our judgment, warrant a conviction by a trial jury."

A contest for the seat held by Mr. Whiteside was decided against him that day, and it was given to his opponent, a Republican, Mr. Geiger, by the votes of all the Republicans and 9 Demo

crats.

On the seventeenth ballot (Jan. 28) Mr. Clark was elected, several Republicans voting for him. There were 54 votes for Clark, 27 for Conrad, 4 for Marshall, and 4 scattering.

In the summer disbarment proceedings were instituted against John B. Wellcome for alleged bribery in connection with the contest; the Supreme Court decided that he must plead to the charge, and Nov. 6 was fixed as the time for beginning the hearing. The principal witnesses were those who gave testimony before the investigating committee of the Legislature and the grand jury; Mr. Wellcome did not appear in person or make a direct denial, but his counsel made answer under oath upon information and belief. The decision of the court was against him, and he was disbarred.

Several of the State officers signed a protest against the seating of Mr. Clark, which was sent to the United States Senate, and an investigation was begun in January, 1900, before the Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections.

A bill that was passed over the Governor's veto referred to the disposal or mortgaging of the property of mining corporations. In his message the Governor said the bill was an attempt to reverse the decision of the Supreme Court, which declared invalid the sale of the property of the Boston and Montana Copper and Silver Mining Company to a New York corporation, compelling its stockholders to accept stock in that corporation instead of that which they held in the home company; that the bill was in the interest of a great copper trust about to be formed; and that it allows private property to be taken for pri

vate use by the provision that if any stockholder dissents from the action of the majority in combining with other corporation or trading for the stock of another corporation a commission is appointed to appraise the value of his stock, which is his individual property, and sell it out at public auction or to the grantee of the corporation.

Foreign surety companies may do business in the State under certain restrictions, and they may be accepted on bonds given for the performance of any duty. Fire companies may insure property in the State only through resident agents, and companies authorized to do business in the State must not reinsure risks in unauthorized companies.

Acts were passed permitting the Arid Land Grant Commission to construct water systems for irrigation and other purposes; allowing the exercise of eminent domain for aqueducts supplying mills, mines, and smelters with water; fixing a standard for measuring water rights; substituting the cubic for the miner's inch; and providing that a commissioner may be appointed to distribute water from streams to those entitled to it by decrees of court.

The tax levy for stock inspection was fixed at 1 mill on the assessed valuation of stock (formerly the law required only that it should not exceed that amount), and horses before removal from the State must be inspected by a sheriff or stock inspector.

The privileges of the State Soldiers' Home were extended to soldiers and sailors of the Mexican and Spanish wars.

Provision was made for division of counties into road districts by county commissioners. The act of the preceding Legislature abolishing the office of road supervisor was repealed, and provision was made for the election of such officers. This act the Attorney-General held to be unconstitutional, as it interfered with the rights of county surveyors, depriving them of their duties and their fees; but the Supreme Court declared it valid.

The creation of a State board of horticulture was provided for. The State is to be divided into five districts, each to be represented by a member of the board, appointed by the Governor, and these five are to select a sixth. None of them may be interested directly or indirectly in the fruit or tree business. They are to inspect nursery stock and destroy any found to be infested with dangerous insects or otherwise diseased. The term of office is four years.

The offices of deputies to the Treasurer, the Secretary of State, the Auditor, and the Land Register were created.

The office of Supreme Court Reporter was abolished, and justices of the court are to report their own decisions and receive each $1,500 additional salary.

Other session acts were:

Providing for liens on lumber or other timber in favor of those who work upon it and the owner of the land on which the timber is cut.

Providing that a bishop, priest, or elder of a church or society may be a sole corporation and hold property in trust.

Prescribing 4 per cent. interest for State Treasurer's warrants not paid for lack of funds, instead of 6 per cent., and for county warrants 6 per cent. instead of 7.

Reducing the legal rate of interest from 10 to 8 per cent.

Fixing the bounty on wolves at $5, that on coyotes at $2, and on wolf puppies at $2.

Repealing the law prohibiting selling at retail on credit.

Exempting graduates of the State Normal School from examination before teaching, and providing for granting them life certificates after two years' experience.

Permitting the maintenance of kindergartens in connection with district schools, and of county high schools after a vote in favor.

Providing that reports of State officers may not be printed oftener than once in two years, except by order of the State Board of Examiners. Prohibiting insolvent banks from accepting deposits, and regulating the increase or diminution of the capital stock of banks and trust companies; also regulating their dissolution.

Amending the law regulating powers of building and loan associations.

Changing the method of sale or lease of State lands.

Requiring contracts for sale of personal property to be recorded with the county clerk in cases where the title does not pass till the whole price is paid.

Changing the boundary between Deer Lodge

and Lewis and Clarke Counties.

Annexing part of Meagher County to Cascade. Appropriating $11,000 for completing the Orphans' Home at Twin Bridges.

Providing for a 24-mill State levy.

Appropriating $577,000 to State institutions. The Governor vetoed bills legalizing 20-round glove contests; amending the antigambling act so as practically to license gambling, and making it a misdemeanor instead of a felony; depriving an applicant for a medical certificate who has failed to be certified by the Board of Medical Examiners of the right to appeal to a jury; permitting doctors to compound drugs without having passed an examination in pharmacy; and repealing the license on State banks.

MORAVIANS. The following are the statistics of the Moravian Church in America to Dec. 31, 1898, as officially published in March, 1899:

Northern Province: Number of communicants, 11.775; of noncommunicant members, 1,155; of children, 4,892; total membership, 17,822; membership of Sunday schools, 1,237 officers and teachers and 10,248 pupils.

Southern Province: Number of communicants, 2,955; of noncommunicant members, 234; of children, 1,553; total membership, 4,742; membership of Sunday schools, 346 officers and teachers and 3,708 pupils.

Total for the American Province: 14,730 communicants, 1,389 noncommunicant members, and 6,445 children-in all, 22,564 members-1,583 of ficers and teachers, and 13,956 pupils in Sunday schools. The numbers show increase during the year of 177 communicants, 162 children, 219 in the total membership, 17 officers and teachers, and 122 pupils in Sunday schools, and a decrease of 120 noncommunicant members. The returns from the Northern Province represent 89 churches, classified as in four districts, of which the first district embraces churches in New York and Pennsylvania; the second district, churches in New Jersey and Pennsylvania; the third district, churches in Ohio, Iowa, Indiana, Indian Territory, Missouri, and Illinois; and the fourth district, churches in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, and North Dakota; and the Alberta (Canada) district, comprising three churches. Detailed statistics are given of the contributions and expenditures of the Northern Province.. The whole amount contributed during the year for Church support was $120,128, or $13,612 more than in

1897. The contributions for Church enterprises were: For retired ministers, $1,295; for the Bohemian Mission, $1,277; for foreign missions, $7,987; for the Alaska Mission, $3,026; for home missions, $7,169; for the Theological Seminary, $4,476; for all other Moravian causes, $1,655; for general Christian objects, $1,220. The whole amount of contributions of this class ($28,105) was $4,731 more than in 1897. The average salary of pastors is $592.

A summary of the gifts of the American Moravian Church, North, for foreign mission causes for 1899 gives the whole amount as $28,690, showing an average contribution per communicant of $2.44.

The General Synod met at Berthelsdorf, Saxony, in May. A number of important constitutional changes were adopted, mainly bearing upon the status and relations of the several provinces and missions. The West Indian missions were organized into two provinces, to be called the Eastern West Indian Province and the Jamaica Province, each of which is to be governed by a provincial synod and a provincial elders' conference. These provinces will be aided by the General Synod with yearly grants of £700 each, to be increased to £1,000 if necessary, for the next ten years, while the Mission Board will bear the entire cost of the Theological Seminary for the two West India provinces, the Mosquito Coast, Demerara, and possibly other fields, and the training schools will be supported by the general missionary treasury. The Mission Board will continue to bear the expenses, as hitherto, for foreign brethren now in service, and one half the expenses connected with outfit, pension, education of children, etc., of foreign missionaries appointed after December, 1899. Sanction was given to an agreement made in 1897 between the Mission Board, on the one hand, and the American Provincial Elders' Conference in the North and the Society for Propagating the Gospel on the other hand in reference to the administration of affairs in the mission in Alaska; and the agreement was interpreted to mean that the American congregations and the Society for Propagating the Gospel would provide the means to meet the entire cost of the current expense of the mission, while the general missionary treasury would bear the expenses involved in the outfit of the missionaries called to Alaska, their sustentation during furlough at home, the education of their children, and their pensions. The Synod decided to transfer the mission in Greenland to the Danish Lutheran Church. The work of evangelization in Bohemia and Moravia was assumed as the charge of all the provinces, to be carried on with the intention of reestablishing the Church in the land of its origin, the final decision in matters of administration resting in the hands of the Directing Board of the Unity, with seat at Berthelsdorf. In the management of this work the Directing Board will be assisted by the Bohemian-Moravian Committee, which committee will consist of two sections

namely, the executive section and the circle of nonresident members. It was decided that in each of the larger mission provinces there shall be a bishop; that missionaries called to those provinces shall, as a rule, go out unordained, and shall be ordained as deacons only after serving one or two years; that, as a rule, five years shall elapse between the missionary's ordination as deacon and as presbyter, with exceptions in case of a missionary receiving a call as superintendent or warden of a province or as head of a regular station or as a member of a helpers' conference, when he may be ordained a presbyter at once. In

« SebelumnyaLanjutkan »