The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-05-11
that the plan has been indorsed by the con-
stitution In the restrictive rules" lAp-

that the plan has been indorsed by the con-
stitution In the restrictive rules" lap
plause. ,
DIR. Hughey. of st. Louis. held that the
plan of lay representation had mover been
part of the constitution, and he was glad
that 1t had never been. He hoped that no
such abortion as that plan should ever pe
engrafted into the constitution or the
Methodist Episcopal Church. 1t was un,
fair and unjust to the laymen. he wanted
to see more equitable plan adopted.
Mr.. Field, of Philadelphia the nrst lay
man to speak on the subject, then took the
floor. He said that the constitution com
mittee had kept its work wonderfully Sc
cret. They had retired TO the classic shades
of Chautauqua and then TO the more quiet
shades of Indianapolis. and finally they
had come before the conference with pro-
digious big black book that looks like the
ark of the covenant (great laughter and
clapping of hands,, and wanted the confer
ence TO make these radical changes In the
constitution without sufficlent tlmo 1or
consideration. Mr.. Field, therefore. moved
that the whole discussion of changes In the
constitution be postponed until the next
General Conference. HIS motion Was put
and lost.
DR.. Hartzel and several others called for
Bishop Merrill upon the bject. but on &C
count of the fact that the hour for ad-
jOurnment had almost arrived 1t was de-
cided to postpone Bishop Merrilrs speech
anG explanation of the work of the constl-
CutlOu COMMITTEES uUtil bis
Carman. fraternal delegate from the Meth
odIst Church OF Canada. was presented to
the conference. after which adjournment
was taken.
An effort is being made to bring the
church North and South together. and
communication has already been opened
with the officers of the church South by
tho committee on the state OF the church.
WORK OF THE COMMITTEES.
The delegates spent the afternoon in
committee work, as usual. The committee
work was not of a very interesting
nature. as the committees were prin-
cipally those having charge of matters
interesting only to Meth0dIsts themselves.
The committee on the Chinese exclusion
bill held meeting ard prepared q
report It is in keeping with the resolution
tai exclusion of tho Chinese from the
United States was declared to be an out
rage upon modern civilization. This re-
port will probably be adopted with q whirl.
The episcopal hoard met at the Paxton
Hotel this evening. behind closed doors,
aud discussed the proposed increase of the
board. 1t was found. upon taking a vote.
there were eighteen opposed to the pro-
posed increase. and they adopted resolu-
The board decided further to ask
that the bishops of Africa and
India be gwen tho same authority
as the home bishops AT present they nave
no authority in their respective conferences.
1t is learned that the committee practical
ly decided to recommend that four new
bishops be- created. Great pressure has
been brought 30 bear uDOn the committee
by the candidates for elevation. Whether
the con ference will adopt the commission
report is another matter which must be
fought out on the floor OF the conference.
A mass-meeting was held tonight in the
interest Of the deaconess movement and
the hospital wards. Mrs. Lucy Rider
Meyer. of Chicago. Bishop Newman. Bishop
ThObnrn and others delivered addresses.
The following telegram was sent to Vice.
president Morton and to the Congress of
the United States by the committee on the
Columbian exposition of the Methodist
conferences:
We are instructed to communicate through you
10 the House of Representatives the adoption
this day OF the following resolution: 'The Cen
eral Conference of the Methodist Episcopal
Church. here assembled representing
two and half million members and ten million
adherents. heartily approve OF the Columbian
exposition and the worlds fair appropriation
bill now pending before Congress- provided ex-
pressly that the appropriation by Congress shall
he conditioned on closing the exposition on sun
day" Sent by order OF tho conference.
A similar telegram was sent to President
Harrison.