The morning times., 1895-10-08
BISHOPS TO Be BOSSES
Episcopal Deputies MeekIy Sur
render Their Powers.
RPISOoPATE NOW SUPREME
1t Can Approve or Reject just as
Much ofthe l. Legislation oftheJ
Body AS 1t Plea ases-Many Delegates
Declare the Dioceses VIII Reinstate
the Old Clause.

| Minneapolis, Mimi, Oct. by a viva voce
vote, which was sufficiently largein volume
10 restrain the minority from challenging
division. the house of deputies OF the Episco-
| pal convention to-day placed itself on record
| as being willing to surrender one of its most
valuable prerogatiyes and practically the
| only one that enables il 10 bold the whip
| hand in preventing the House ofBishops from
| making of itself, If il were SO disposed, a
literal oiigarchy.
But for the fact that it is now recognized
that the present debate is but an inter-
change of opinions between the representa-
| tives of the various dioceses and that the old
| constitution is likely to remain the founda-
| ton of the church, the refusal OF the conven-
| ton TO re-enact the clause putting into effect
| within three days all legislation concern
ing which the bishopshad madcnOsigntnight
| be fraught with grave consequences to the
| denomination.
| BISHOPS WOULD BE SUPREME.
This clause which was omitted from
the new revision after debate in the
| commission which, il is said, lasted week,
| enables the house of Bishops to approve
| Just as much OF the legislation OF the
| junior body as il wishes and to kill by
| failure TO act all resolutions, reports and
4 other matters with which 1t may not be
| in accord, the result W oIld be to max the
over, or representative house, little more
| than spoke in the wheel Of the church.
A number OF deputies, both lay and
clerical, declare tonight that If the con-
sideration Of the revision was completed at
this meeting and the document went to the
dioceses, the old clause would be rein
stated by an overw helming majority. Most
of the delegates to the present convention
were elected before the preliminary report
of the commission was issued and conse-
qucntly in voting represented more their
own views and sentiments than those of
the dioceses, the latter not having had an
opportunity of officially expressing their
views.
This was the first victory for the re-
vision commission after several days OF
debate, but their jubiiation was short
lived.
TITLE FOR THE PRIMUs.
BY an overwhelming majority the house
refused to exclude domestic missionary
bishops in the counting OF quorum, the
legal effect of which exclusion would be
to make it possible for seventeen or eighteen
bishops TO form a majority, even when
questions OF the gravest Importance to the
church are under consideration.
Then came the celebrated section 8, pro-
viding for the election or primus, or head
OF the house of bishops, to hold office
for life, save in the event of voluntary resig
nation Quickly the amendments piled up.
One delegate favored a designation OF
president bishop" another archbishop"
still another presiding bishop" one more
''primate." 1ee
The house was not in favor of any one of
the first three, nor did 1t kindly regard as
a substitute that the bishops elect their
own presiding officer and give him what
ever desipnation tiley might see fit A
vote had not beenreached on the 'primate''
proposition when the house adjourned.
The bishops also devoted themselves this
afternoon TO the revision.