Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-05-26
METHODIST CHURCH. NORTH.
Bishop for hfricn-Laity Against
CIergy-Epworth Lenguc.

CLEVELAND. May ZJ.-Only four days
remain OF the session OF the General Con-
ference OF the Methodist Episcopal
Church. Very few Of the many impor-
tant matters now incorporated In COM
m.ttee reports will be acted on by this
session. only the reports which must be
acted upon in order to insure the pro-
gress OF the Church during the coming
four years will be considered.
The following were to-day approved as
trustees OF the new American University
at Washington: Judge T.. l.. McComas.
Washington, ID. c.; Rev. Michael Burn
ham, D. D.. 81. Louis, Hon. n. l.. Higiu-
botham, Chicago; Rev \. J. Palmer. d.
D., New York; Chaplain ". Il. Milburn.
Washington, ID. c.; William Cornell.
Scranton, Pa. Hon. John j. Fritz. Beth
lehem Pa; John H. Ii. Heneld, Washing
ton: John c. Holmes. Pittsburg; John r.
Mclean, Washington, -. c.; John H.
Patton. Curwensville, Pa, and Rev.
Thomas T.. Earniet, ID. D., Hillsboro', o.
The conference took a ballot FOR a mis-
sionary bishop 10 Africa. \ two-thirds
vote was required TO elect. Result. Ne
cessary % a choice. 30i. j. G.. Hartzel,
223; NJ. c. y. Mason (colored, ST.: ID. 5.
Monroe, q; j. w. Hamilton, 10; G.. W.
Cue, l3; scattering, 43.
Mr.. Cues candidacy is said 10 be due
TO the fact that he is afraid TO return
to his home, I'm Portland, having incurred
the enmity OF the women Of his church
by making dsparaging comparisons be-
tween the bjcyc!e-bloomer girl and the
four women telegates.
Colonel Fred. Grant received an en-
thuslastic reception on being introduced
10 the conference by Bishop Foss.
~ thR Africa 81 IN
dist Church and southern manager OF
Major McKnley's campaign, was pre-
scented to the conference.
The lOng-deferred fight between the lay
and ministerial delegates came up when
the Committee on Constitution reported
the new constitution. The majority re-
port wanted referendum. to be COM
posedl only OF ministers, while the mi
n0rity report demanded that the lay
members be given q voice I'm the referen-
DUN. DR.. a. y. Kinnett, Of Philadelphia,
made a strong argument in favor Of lay
representation. Il. Swarthout OF Michi-
gan. declared that the report of the con-
stitutional commission was a failure.
What the Methodist Church needs
most" he said "is a judiciary that shall
decide judicial questions only and keep
its hands or legislative questions
what a miserable farce was the con-
sideration Of the woman question by this
body. We first considered the question
as a judicial one, and then compromised
IT by virtue OF our legislative power That
kind Of work makes our conference
ridiculous. ] am opposed 20 the report
because Il gives us nothing new"
4 motion was made to amend the re-
port Of the Committee on Constitution,
so that the lay delegates 10 the General
Conference should be elected by the
members Of the Church, instead Of at the
quarterly conference. II was received
with tremendous applause by the laymen.
An attempt 10 table the amendment was
defeated.
The amendment was defeated by vote
Of $50 20 l93
The Committee on Epworth League
recommended that certain members Of
the Board Of Control be appointed By
the General Conference. instead OF by
representatives ~ the league Several
delegates denounced the report as taking
the last vestige OF authority from the
league members IN the control ~ their
own organization. The report was
adopted.
DR. Joseph c. Hartsell. Of Louisiana.
was elected Bishop 20 Africa on the se-
cond ballot. He was invited 10 a seat on
the platform. when Bishop Taylor. the
aged Bishop who initiated the African
work. congratulated his successor, the
conference rose and appiauded en-
Enthusiastically. Or Hartsell Is 81 years
Of age. and since 1SSS has been secretary
Of the Freedman's Aid Society.