New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-05-15
WHISPERS OF WIRE-PULLING.
HOW SHALL THE BISHOPS BE ELECTED
METHODIST CONFERENCE GETS EXCITED OVER
c1IouEs ANp COMBINATIONS

CLIoUEs AND COMBINATIONS
Tho discussion OF tho relative merits and strength
Of candidates for Bishop, which has been occupying
the Methodist Conference delegates In the corridors
ana Hobbies Of the Metropolitan Opera House for sew
crsl days. got into the session itself yesterday. A
preliminary skirmsh took place, which gave rise to
lively salies and brought out some OF tho feeling
which is centred In the subject. Ex-Governor
Cumback of Indiana proposed that the committee
on Epscopacy should report to-day on the proposition
to elect all Bishops for eight years Instead OF Tor hie
Dr. On chairman Of the committee, said that there was
SO much before committee to be considered and tho
opinions DIVERSE that there was no possibility
of having the report ready at this session.
The regular order OF the day the report on con-
sodaion of the Church bencvolences but IL was not
reached. Bishop Merrill occupied the chair ana
held the Conference well in hand, managing 1t good
humoredly. The morning services were conducted by
the Rev DR.. Belt, OF Ohio Or. Hunter, of Central
Illinois, presented resolution instructing the Com
Epscopacy to report the election OF ono
officer at time. In speaking to his motion, III
Hunter said desired by 1t that every candidate TOT
Bishop should do business his own capital ana that
any candidate proposed to set up peanut stand the
speaker would oppose his election to the bishoprc
.Any combination for such purpose he said, is
opposed 10 the spirit OF Methodism. am prepared
to sit down on all such combinations, and IL Us inc
duty of every member Of this Conference 10 90 INC
same don't peg whether the Bishops come
from New-HOrk Boston, ST. LOus VI 1Sot'", W."
want the best and truest men,
DR. NELLY PROPOSES ANOTHER AMENDMENT
Dr. Nelly said that all agreed with DR.. Hunters
views respecting the Episcopacy, but he addoo that
Dr. Hunters experiment had already been tried ana
found unsatisfactory. Hc offered an amendment
which provided that the resolution be simply referred
10 the Committee on Episcopacy. DR.. Buckley re-
ferred to the power held by a Methodist Bishop as
the greatest held by any officer in Protestant Church
II was life Office, and so vital question he
thought that the lay and clerical orders should be
divided IN voting. He then read resolution TO that
effect, signed by several delegates
DR. Hare thought the matter should be referred
TO special committee. but otherwise favored the sub
stitute Dr. DIN said that he had heard of an
amendment proposing that the Conference should be-
yin by electing lowest officers first, and so, win
moving out the tares, approach the election OF the
Bishops. al have been pancd" he added, and
shamed with the whispers In tho air that have
stolen into my respecting combinations for the
Offices Of Bishop"
The Rev DR. Cue got the floor at hear with
Kurpr,ses said he "these references to ciques and
combinations organizing for securing the office OF
Bishop Of the Methodist Episcopal Church. have
mover heard such whispers No man has ever como
to me with request Of this kind. Think OF the
Apostle Paul going down this aisle and moving about
the corridors of this Opera House. asking the members
Of Conference TO vote for him because he had cai
nom the Lord"
Lay-delegate Brown thought II the call OF candl-
date was loud enough Lord would pull him through
both orders. DR.. Leonard Of Ohio, protested that
he had heard of cliques or combinations lie
thought IL unworthy of the men who were candidates
for the Episcopacy, and members of Conference who
knew Of such combinations were bound to inform the
Conference OF them. "The interest is too great he
said, " to let such charges 60 unchsllenged would
scorn to receive proposition to cast my vote for any
candidate DR.. Leonard exclaimed exctedy: IL
IS strange that such whispers have been circulated
have never heard them. have heard reports that
the Church has been elecing millionaire Bishops.
There is no danger of such combinations, II we trust
each other and / hope all these propositions, will
20 on the table"
The Rev Dr. Hunter obtained the floor to say that
no had charged no member of the Conference by NAME
but he would like to know the millionaire Bishop to
whom DR.. Leonard had referred.
INTERESTING DISCLOSURES PROMISED
The Rev. Wheeler said that there was an ole
ment of humiliation In this discussion He would not
say that all the things stated were true, but he could
say great deal about this matter If 1t were not DO
fore public body
voices-say til Say 1t right out! No moi
DR.. wheeler-Do you want them nowf
voices-Ycs Yes No! No!
The Rev. DR.. Gue-oh. no. don't
DR.. Wheeler-I will not be bluned. No man can say
that entered into combinations with any one
But repeat 1t is humiliation that any suspicion OF
such combinations should be found in this conference
Delegate-Mr Chairman, would like to know II
all this discussion is not out OF order.
Bishop Merrill (smng)-I think it's all right Con-
ference viii know when IL hS, enough. CLaughter)
Dr. wheeer-The laity have not the interest In this
question clergymen have, and the election OF
bishop be decided by them as the substitute
proposes not prepared to surrender this power 10
the aity Of the Church. In the Bishop we have the
officer whose decision makes the homes of every minister
in this body aity have their own homes indepena'
ent Of the Bishop
Ex-Governor Cumbacx-Mr. Chairman these suspicious
are nothing pain this proiOngaton OF this discus
sion causes me. the previous question Laushter)
Tho previous question was carried. The amend-
ment substitute AMI original resolution we're voted on
and lost leaving tho question where Was The Icv.
Dr. Little rtioduced the kov. Dr. j. s. Witemaa and
Chirl, j. Patcman, Fraterna Messengers from tne
independent Methodist Church General clinton IS;
FISK made an announcement Of committee work anu
added that the Prohibition meeting to be held IN tne
Opera House In the evening was political meet,he,
with which tie Conference and good Methodsts had
nothing to do. A.. ,,.... Nj.
A Subcommittee Of the Methodist Conference Mis-
sonary Committee met last evening in the Washington
Square Methodist Episcopal Church to consider me
evidence in regards to Bishop Taylors mission WORN
Clarence Davenport, the missionary VINO, recehtiyy
returned from Africa, before the committee anu
was examined in regard TO the work