The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-05-30

Philadelphia Record.
The jealousy with which the Methodist Gen
eral Conference regards any encroachments
upon its authority by episcopal influence was
displayed in an emphatic manner yesterday,
when Bishop Wieys right, as the presiding
officer of a committee, to enter into d debate
upon that committees report was vigorously
and successfully resisted. Bishop Hurst was in
the chair, and the trouble arose on the discus
sion of the report of the committee on eo-operar
ton in church work. which was signed by Bishop
Wiley as chairman and Rev. A. Craig as secre-
tary. In the recommendation of this committee
as to what statistical facts should e reported to
the annual conferences from the several pastoral
charges, there were seven items which aroused
a somewhat acrimonious debate, at the close of
which, under a call for the previous question,
Rev. d. A.. J. Kynett proposed that as a right
under the rules-as chairman of the committee
Bishop Wiley had Il right to close the de
bate in a ten minutes speech "Ees,"
exclaimed several voices, 'let US hear from
Bishop Wiley But this feeble demand was at
once drowned by a great velley of objections.
Bishop Hurst for a minute he~sitated. and then,
by a gesture, invited Bishop Wiley to advance
and speak. This produced n sensation. DR..
Buckley fairly bounded from his seat, and began
an impassioned protest. The Chair called him
to order, and said. with great deliberation: Il
decide that Bishop Wiley, as chairman of the
committee. has, under the rules, a right to
speak" This brought the matter to a crisis.
HE is not a delegate, :" cried out a score of mem
bers; and DIR. Buckley, with a white face, but
with great emphasis of manner, said: Upon
the ground that Bishop Wiley is not a member
of this body, and has no right to debate any
question. I appeal from the decision" The ven
cradle DR.. Curry. with great feeling said; Il
second the appeal The Bishop is not a mem
ber."
At this point. after a moments consultation
with Bishop Wiley. Bishop Hurst said; Bishop
Wiley does not propose to take any advantage
of the privilege" But the conference was not
satisfied to leave the question an open one.
This matter may as we'll be settled now as at
any time cried q delegate. "A bishop is not a
member Of the conference We insist upon the
appeal" The appeal was sustained by a large
majority.
At the request Of the conference Bishop Wiley
did subsequently address the body upon the re
port, the objection only having been made to the
pressing of the claim that he possessed any right
to a voice in its deliberations, Soon after this
the matter came very near creating an exceed
ingly unpleasant scene in the conference
Bishop Hurst, in a personal explanation, gave
his reasons for his original decision, and closed
by declaring that he would so rule again
DR.. Alfred Wheeler, who had voted to sustain
the appeal. moved a reconsideration. Bishop
Hurst asked DIR. Wheeler to withdraw his mo
ton, which was done. In the meantime, how
ever, DIR. Buckley bad been busy writing a reso-
luton censuring htshop Hurst for reiterating
his decision IN the teeth of the conferences
veto. This ne proposed to offer as a substitute
for DR.. Wheelers motion, but as that WIS with
drawn the matter was allowed to drop there.
NOTES OF THE LAST DAYS SESSION.
The work of editing the books published at
Cincinnati was assigned TO the editor of the
Western Christian Advocate.
A resolution from the book committee author
izing the book agents to sell the property on
Fourth street. Cincinnati. and on Sixth street,
st. Louis, was adopted.
DIR. Kynett caused general merriment by NOV
ing that the last business of the General Confer
ence be the call of the roll, and that the names
all of who are absent without leave be published
in all the Advocates. Carried.