The Taney County republican. (Forsyth, Mo.) 1895-1992, 1896-05-21
sowMAN AND FosTEn.

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Two VsnerAhao aaA vseeran BlsAe1s -
tho II. r Church. DroRped By H.
General Cooferenco ~ Noo-E4ectayes
After ans Exeitlng 1cene rollowtng H.
Report Of tho COMMITTEES IN Eplscopocy
ReoomMending Such Aeeson.
CLEvKLANn, O., May ls.-The general
conference ox the Methodist church
met at $50 q. M. with Bishop Malla-
lieu in the chair. It was decided that
diplomas from Methodist schools be
accepted In lieu of the conferences in
course of study from candidates for
the ministry.
The reports of the COMMITTEES on
episcopacy were presented by Rev. Dr..
Buckley.
Report No. / recommended the re-
tirement of the senior bishop. Thomas
W. Bowman, and Of Bishop Randolph
s. Foster, on account Of non-effective-
ness. A most impressive scene followed
the reading Of the report. Bishop Fos-
ter arose, and, amid the almost breath
less silence. said that he wished to ro-
Ieve the conference from any delicacy
in acting as their judgments dictated.
He asked permission to retire.
Bishop Bowman also asked to be ale
lowed to retire. az 81 have just
learned" he said, 'sthat I am nom
effective"
Rev. George Fl. Bridgeman offered .
substitute, which provided that Bishop
Bowman aud Bishop Foster be not re-
tired, and that the board of bishops
be asked to give them light work.
DIR. Bridgeman said that the report Of
the committee was unlxind. Who are
these men that DIR. Buckley and his
committee say in the church, and to
world, that they are non-affective1
They are those who have done most
for Methodism. The majority report
would be exceedingly hurtful to the
church"
Rev. DIR. James F. Chaffee, of Min
nesota. said that unless the confer
ence wanted to be confronted with
propositions of this kind to limit the
terms of the bishops, it must pass
something this line. This Is no plac<
for sentiment We must act according
to our conviction and retire these men,
painful as it may be.
Rev. DIR. Lanahan, of Baltimore, said
'srhere is great deal of honey in the
report. The honey, however, is very
good way to smooth the way the com
mittee aimed at. There are things thai
have been left out Of this discussion
that would better be said.
"I think, sir. that the proceedings o.
this episcopal committee have beer
unparalleled In tho history of the
church. For the honor Of the church
I hope it may never occur again
This committee has been in Sc
cret session. It was q meeting fol
execution. I think that one of the
dangers of our church to-day is il
keeping secret what ought to be pub
lished. What was there to be SAT-
about these great men? Have the,
been guilty of aEY impropriety? Th'
committee said in presence of visitors
that they wished to say things that
should not be made public. Twill asl
the chairman of the committee ol
episcopacy to say whether it Is SO O
not"
DIR. Buckley arose and in a very agi
tated manner said: '.Our report wa
voted for by all Of our committee o
100, save five members. These breth
rem, if they are not-retired, are oficia
residents of the great episcopal cities
We called those secret meetings tina
we might question those beloved bish
ops whennot surrounded by reporters
In the interest of the episcopal boar
beseech you to adopt the majority n
| port"
The substitute was tabled and tn
report adopted. retiring Bishops Bow
man and Foster.