Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-05-06
PEW AGAINST PULPIT.
They Come in Contact on Several
Topics Before Conference.
FIGHTING THE BISHOPS POWER.
The Laymen Would Limit Their Right to
Appoint Committees.
SECRET ORDERS TO BE TOUCHED UP

OMAHA, May 6.-Bishop Waldron pre-
sided at to-day's session of the Methodist
Episcopal Conference.
On motion of DR.. Neely, of Philadelphia,
the unfinished business of yesterday, in
favor Of appointing committee on super
animated ministers, was takeh up. Rev.
Mr.. Mcdowell, of Philadelphia, resumed
his speech of yesterday, and demanded the
previous question, which was ordered. The
laymen favored the special committee, but
were voted down, and the report under con-
tention was referred to the Committee on
Temporal Economy.
DR.. Moore, of Cincinnati, offered resolu-
ton asking for a committee of Is on judi
ciary, to consider all appeals and laws. DR..
Moore asked that the committee be ap-
pointed by the conference, instead of by the
Bishops He made the point that 1t Is not
good law for a court of appeals to be ap-
pointed by body whose acts are to be re-
viewed. DR.. Moore's motion caused q
sensation, and sharply contested fight was
the result
Precedents Quoted Against Moore.
DR.. Buckley alleged that the position Of
Mr.. Moore was fallacious, and defended the
present manner of appointing the commit
tee. He cited the case of the President and
the Supreme Court. DR.. Pullman, of New
York, emphasized DR.. Moore's point. He
said, "We are often accused of being under
the government of hierarchy, or aristo-
cratic government, and we must do some
thing to disabuse the public mind of such
accusations"
DR.. Pullman went on to say that the
Church, instead of ruling herself, was ruled
by lot of officers. Of the 113 members of
the Episcopal Board there were but 81
pastors and laymen and the others drew
salaries as officers of the church. These 88
consist of presiding elders, book agents and
other non-presidine officers, or over 80 per
cent of the board. DR.. Leonard. of Ne
braska, further supported DR.. Moore's sub
peers of the Bishops.
DR.. MiIey Makes Bad Mistake.
Dr. Miley, of New York, said there was
no reason for taking away the Bishops
power to appoint, unless there was sus-
picion that the Bishops would pack the
committee. DR.. Moore controverted the
statement, and there was cries of 'No, no"
throughout the house, and Dr. Miley, seeing
his mistake, withdrew his assertion
Dr. Neeley, of Philadelphia, changed his
original resolution to read nominate" in
stead of "appoint." His change was ac-
cepted, and the motion then prevailed with
out opposition.
A motion by DR.. Shrinke, of Kentucky,
for the appointment of special committee
of one clergyman and one layman from
each district and three laymen at large to
consider the equality of representation in
the Conference, was adopted. A resolution
was adopted ordering the Episcopal Com
mittee to consult with the Board Of Bishops
and ascertain if there is need of more
Bishops to conduct the work of the coming
quadrennial and report by May 10. An
other fight was narrowly escaped when the
following, from the Chicago German Con-
ference, was offered:
WHEREAS, The oaths of all who join OATH
bound organizations are contrary to the
commandment, "Thou shalt not take the
name of the Lord thy God in vain," there
fore be it
Resolved, That a member of the Metho-
dist Church cannot belong to such organf-
zation without violating his faith.
Debate was cut off by referring 1t to the
committee. Various committee reports
were then read and the conference ad-
journed at o'clock.