The Big Stone post. (Big Stone Gap, Va.) 1890-1892, 1890-10-17
CHURCH SENSATION.
A Methodist Preacher Enters Politics as
Prohibition Candidate, and Is Ar
rnigned Before the Conference.
A SHARP FIGHT AHEAD.

a SHARP FIGHT AHEAO.
NASHVILLE, Tenn, Oct. l3-There was O
dramatic scene in the Tennessee Confer
ence of the Methodist Episcopal Church
South at Pulaski when the name of D. C.
Kelley, ID, was called. The conference
was hearing reports of preachers and pass
ing characters.
DR.. Kelley some months ago accepted n
nomination at the hands of the prohibit
ton party. He was at that time pastor OF
the church at Gallatin. Some correspond
cnce passed between him and Bishop
keener. who presided over the last Ten
nessee Conference, and and DR.. Kelley de-
cided TO withdraw from the race, but was
prevailed upon By the prohibition cxecu-
live committee not to do so. The Rev. B
F. HAYNES, presiding elder of the Nash
Vile district, was very much in favor OF
DR.. Kelley continuing in the field, and, as
Bishop Keener had said that DR.. Kelley
could not canvass the state and keep his
church, he appointed the Rev. ". g. Dor
ris to the Gallatin church, and DR.. kelle!
resigned the pastorate. He has since can
vassed the State, and will poll, it is be-
lieved, large vote.
When DR.. Kelley's name was reached
Elder Haynes arose and said: There is
nothing against him." DR.. Kelley then
made his report and sat down. There was
silence lasting fully minute. Usually
Bishop Hargrove, who was in the chair
would say Immediately upon n minister
report, "His character is passed without
obiection:" but, knowing challenge was
coming, he waited for it.
Finally the Rev. G. w Vim, who has
been member Of the conference fifty
wears, said: "Did | understand the pre-
siding elder to say there nothing against
DR.. Kelly? Does not the Rule say that
preacher who leaves his work without
the consent of the bishop is guilty of an
ofcnsc before this hody?'
Bishop Hargrove, understanding this as
arrest of DR.. Kclley's character, stated the
law. and proceeded to appoint committee
of three members to inquire into the mat
fer and report whether or not DR.. Kelley
should he tried by the conference. Dr.
Kelley raised the point of order that the
| presiding officer could not of his OWL mo-
ton appoint committee not ordered by
the body over which he presdcs, but was
ovcrrued. He then made the point OF
order that his character had been arrested
in omen conference without previous notice
having been served upon him, us the Dis
cipline provides. Bishop Hargroye de-
cdcd that the proceedings were regular
but allowed Dr. Kelley TO file protest
against his rulings.
The committee of inquiry met o'clock
and heard Dr. Kelley. Elder Haynes and
and DR.. Doris Their report will proba-
bly, favor trial. The committee had
scarcely concluded its labors, when DR.
Kelley delivered stirring political speech
to crowd in the court house yard. Fully
| one-half of the members Of the confer
cnce listened attentiyely TO his address
PULASKI, Tenn, Oct. 1.-THE opening
services of the Tennessee Methodist Con-
ference this morning was conducted by
Rev. G.. ". Anderson. The minutes were
read and an amendment offered by Rev
Walker Lewis, who desired that they show
that the Bishop asked Mr.. VIM if he in
tended TO arrest DR.. kellcy's character
and he replied that he so intended.
DR.. Kelley requested that the report oil
the committee inQuiring into his case be
heard at once. Rev. I. B. Fisher, chair
man of the committee, made the following
report:
s.Your committee in the case of D. c
Kelley. having carefully inquired into the
facts OF the same, respectfully report thai
We Judge trial TO he necessary III sale
case
During the discussion DR.. Kelley said
the bishop having discussed his case from
the chair, it became his (kelley's) right
bv every rule of law, justice, courtesy oil
civilization to be allowed to reply. DR.
Kelley cited instances where in other con.
fcrcnccs the Bishop presiding had allowed
full discussion before the committee o.
inquiry was appointed. Bishop Hargrovc
called him to order and said he could moi
allow a discussion of his rulings. DR.
Kelley proceeded to say that if this wa:
the law, and Bishop could, of his owl
motion, appoint Il committee of inquiry
then he (thc Bishop had in his hands tht
character of every minister in the Metho
dist church He was interrupted by The
Bishop. who declared him to be out o
order, amid some excitement. DR.. Kelley
however, continued to speak for moment
but finally the chair ruled that he coult
not discuss the law upon the effect Of in
diyidual member DR.. Kelley said thu
line proposed left him crippled at ever,
point He had been present at the making
Of the law, and hearing the discussion, h
was confident his case did not come unde
it. He had not refused to do any worl
nor ceased travelling. His remarks wer'
applauded.
THE REPORT DISPOSED OF.
Dr. Young called for the previous ques
ton on the motion TO non-cOncur, and tn
call was sustained. The chair stated tina
if the report was concurrcd in ii woult
necessarily raise another committee. DR.
HAYNES said that he was sorry the chat
had injected this into the matter just a
this point The roll was then called. TIL
motion to non-concur was carried by
vote of llG ayes and 26 noes.
j. NJ Jordan moved that the characte
of D. c. Kelley now pass, but the chat
ruled this out of order, as the conference
had agreed to adjourn as soon as tn
report of the committee was disposed OF
Another committee of inquiry will doubt
less be appointed this AFTERNOON"
Virginia Snubs the Count.