General Conference Bulletin, vol. 4

STATEMENT CONCERNING AUDITOR’S REPORT

The Chair: We have no auditor’s certificate to present with this report. Brother Frank J. Whitgrove, our General Conference auditor, carefully audited the books of the General Conference and the General Conference Association; but he failed to write out a certificate; and, as most of us here know, he died very suddenly, having been found dead in his bed the 25th ult. No certificate was to be found among his papers. He told Brother Lane, however, and one or two others, that he had finished the work, and that everything was all right. The treasurer tells me that he is satisfied that everything is all right. There was not time after the death of Brother Whitgrove to have the books re-audited, even if we had thought advisable to go to the extra expense of doing so. Such a statement would not change the fact a particle. It would simply be the formality of reading the statement. Now if you are willing to accept it that way, the report is before you for your adoption. GCB April 9, 1901, page 138.1

G. G. Rupert: I move that we accept the reports. GCB April 9, 1901, page 138.2

R. D. Hottel: I second the motion. GCB April 9, 1901, page 138.3

H. M. Mitchell: I had been connected with the work about seven weeks, up to the close of the year, so that I have nothing to speak for myself in regard to the correctness of the work back of that. I helped Brother Whitgrove in going over the books carefully; and as has been stated in regard to his work on the Foreign Mission Board books, it was the same with us here; he examined every voucher carefully, hunted up every letter, when necessary, in order to get the facts bearing on everything that was done, and he checked everything from beginning to end; was very careful and deliberate, and did the work thoroughly, and I think he did the work well. GCB April 9, 1901, page 138.4

The question was called for. GCB April 9, 1901, page 138.5

W. W. Prescott: I did not get from the report, unless I passed over the item read, anything that would give us information as to the comparative administrative expense. I understand from the report that $15,000 more was expended during the last biennial period than came in from the usual sources of income. I thought perhaps it would be of interest to all delegates if we could have some statement—not just now, but at the proper time—which would give us the information as to how much of the tithes and donations have been used in what we might term administrative expense, and how much has actually been used in the gospel work direct in the different fields, and how much in each field. That is, I would like to know how much was used in the Southern field last year; also how much was used in expense during the last period. I would like to have the matter divided up in that way for information. When I speak of administrative expense, I mean what we would term general expense. I suppose every Conference keeps an expense account, and it knows how much it pays its laborers in salaries, and how much their expenses have been in the field. GCB April 9, 1901, page 138.6

The Chair: The Treasurer has a statement here that will almost answer the question. GCB April 9, 1901, page 138.7

H. M. Mitchell: I have written off a statement of the amount paid laborers during the year 1900, by districts, as follows: No. 1, $8,789.83; No. 2, $28,257.87; No. 3, $2,446,21; No. 4, $6,345.55; No. 5, $3,663.69; No. 6, $3,696.34. Under the head of General, which includes general laborers that were not working especially in any district, but all over the field, going from one place to another, and also includes the amount paid to the Medical Missionary and Benevolent Association, and all the expenses of the Conference, there is a total of $29,175.93. GCB April 9, 1901, page 138.8

W. C. White: I wish to request that the Treasurer separate these accounts, and put them in such classified form as will explain all these questions, that the delegates may have them for study. Let these be published so that we can have them before us as a saving of time. GCB April 9, 1901, page 138.9

The Chair: The motion we have is on the adoption of the report of the Treasurer. GCB April 9, 1901, page 138.10

Carried. GCB April 9, 1901, page 138.11

The Chair: The Treasurer will do what was requested from one brother, and be able to report it as soon as he can. There were several committees appointed from the large committee you appointed at the beginning of the Conference, and some of these committees have formed subcommittees, who have done their work as far as they can go with it, but they have not reported it back to the large committee. Time is passing rapidly by, and it was thought that you would excuse us from reporting it back, but would like to have the report direct this morning. It is in your hands to say what shall be done. There are two committees now ready to report. GCB April 9, 1901, page 138.12

You who compose the large committee are all here. What is your pleasure? GCB April 9, 1901, page 139.1

Moved by A. O. Burrill, and seconded, that the reports be read. GCB April 9, 1901, page 139.2

The Chair: It has been moved and seconded that the reports which are prepared by these subcommittees be presented to the body without going through the large committee. The question is called for. GCB April 9, 1901, page 139.3

Carried. GCB April 9, 1901, page 139.4

The Chair: We call the other sub-committee to report. GCB April 9, 1901, page 139.5

W. C. White [reading]: “Your Committee on Organization present a partial report, recommending,— GCB April 9, 1901, page 139.6

“1. That the perfecting of plans for the organization of district union Conferences be carried forward as rapidly as possible during this session of the General Conference. GCB April 9, 1901, page 139.7

“2. That the delegates from each district be invited to appoint three of their number to act with the Committee on Organization in the framing of constitutions and working plans. GCB April 9, 1901, page 139.8

“3. That all questions regarding the change of district territorial line be referred to the Committee on Constitutions and Plans. GCB April 9, 1901, page 139.9

“4. That in the framing of constitutions and working plans, provisions be made for the use by the district organizations that are strong financially, of such a part of their income only as is necessary for the administration of the district union Conferences, and that the plans be forwarded to the General Conference for the maintenance of its administration, and to assist weaker Conferences and missions.” GCB April 9, 1901, page 139.10

The Chair: You have heard the reading of the report; what is your pleasure? GCB April 9, 1901, page 139.11

A motion was made and seconded to adopt the report. GCB April 9, 1901, page 139.12

The Chair: The question is now open for remarks. GCB April 9, 1901, page 139.13

C. W. Flaiz: It seems to me the importance of this subject demands that we give it a study; and it seems to me it would be a wise thing for us to have this report in the BULLETIN, that we might have an opportunity to study it. Therefore, I move that it be printed on slips for the use of the delegates. GCB April 9, 1901, page 139.14

This motion was seconded, and carried. GCB April 9, 1901, page 139.15

Various questions were asked by delegates, and answered by the chairman of the committee. GCB April 9, 1901, page 139.16

The report was considered by asking the secretary of the committee questions, he replying as he understood the mind of the members of the committee. A motion prevailed to have the report printed on slips for the use of the delegates. GCB April 9, 1901, page 139.17

Upon motion, it was voted to adjourn until 3 P.M. GCB April 9, 1901, page 139.18

G. A. IRWIN, Chairman.
L. A. HOOPES, Secretary.