Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-05-14
THE GENERAL CONFERENCE.
Lively Debate on the Question O
EIecting BishOps-Charges Of Lobby
ing Made.

Lively Debate ON the Question Of
Electing BishOps-Charges Of Lobby.
ing Made.
NEW YORK, May 14.-Bishop Merrill presided at
to-days session OF the Methodist Episcopal gen.
eral conference and Rev. Dr. Leroy Albeit, OF ILL.,
nois. conducted the religious services. The CON-
mittee on Episcopacy vas asked TO report upon
for term OF eight years Al present the bishops
hold ofice for life as matter OF usage. There is
nothing in the discipline which provides for how
long they shall hold Office. The salary OF bishop
Is 5000 year. house rent and travelling ex-
penses.
The question Of the election OF bishops on Thurs
DAY was called up. One or the delegates SAID that
no one was prepared for IT, and he thought that II
ought to be postponed. Bishop Andrews an
nounced the following committees: Committee on
laying OF cornerstone OF Book Concern building
j. M. Phillips, OF New York; Sanford Hunt, Gene
see; G. C. McCabe, New York; Gen. c. b. Fiske.
New Jersey, and J. M. Reed, Michigan. Commit
tee on Army Chaplains-G. 8. Hare Poughkeeps1e;
ID. A. Jordan, Providence; VIM. Swindells, Phila-
delphia; JOS Pullman, New Britain, Conn; d. Ii.
A resolution was offered to the effect that the
conference express an opinion that the Blair edu-
cational bill was grand measure.
Dr. Buckley said that the question was q great
one. The resolution was referred TO the commit
tee on the state OF the church.
Rev. John Miley, OF the Drew Theological Semi.
nary, read his report as fraternal delegate TO the
Methodist Church South, and the Rev. Isaac W.
Joyce OF Cincinnati, read his report as fraternal
Qelegdte 10 the General CONFERENCE OF the Metno
dist Church in Canada
THE ELECTION OF BISHOPS.
A resolution was introduced asking the commit
tee on Epscopacy TO provide for the balloting fol
bishops so that one candidate shall be ballotet
for at a time
Rev. DR.. Hunter, OF Central Illinois, made q
speech on the resolution. He said that the ques
tlon was OF great concern. II was not TO be taken
In hand hastily, but that IL should be thoughtfuly
prepared. II was dishonorable 10 trade upon any.
thing but his own capital Delegates should SIT
down on the "combine" to have a man from the
East West or South, and when a candidate found
that he could not secure the Office he formed q
combination with one who was stronger than he.
Rev. DIR. j. NJ. Buckley offered a substitute 10 the
eject that the vote be taken by orders; that lay
delegates and ministerial delegates vote sepa-
rately.
Rev. DR.. Neely, OF Philadelphia, objected to the
substitute, and claimed that DIR. Buckley was out
OF order.
The chair said that the substitute was german
to the subject and that Dr. Buckley was In order.
CHARGES OF LOBBYING FOR CANDIDATES.
This raised general discussion. II was said that
there was lobbying going on for the candidates,
but the members denied It.
Rev. DIR. Cue. OF Illinois, whose name has been
mentioned for bishop, got the floor. He said that
II pained him to hear any one say that q combina-
tiOn was being formed. No one had approached
him and asked him to vote for any one. He was
surprised that such q thing should be brought up.
This was the most active debate during the ses-
sion. All the members were excited. There was
general desire 10 get the floor.