The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-05-15
An Impressive Scene Followed The Reading
Of a Report Retiring Two Bishops.
DISCUSSION A FEATURE OF THE SESSION
Bishop Bowmnh nnd nishop Foster
Retired by Large Majority "A
Resolution TO Elect n Colored
bishop Was Tabled The Sncces-
sOrs TO BE Elected To-Day.

SArSS SiaHu W., May 14.7Ine lieneTai
Conference of the Methodist Church met
at $3.50 a. m. to-day with Bishop NAL
lalien in the chair. 1t was decided that
diplomas from Methodist schools be ac-
cepted In lieu or conference course Of
study from candidates for the ministry.
The reports of the Committee on Epis
ccopacy were presented by Rev. Dr. Buck
ley.
Report No. recommended the retire
ment OF Senior Bishop Thomas Bowman
ana OF Bishop Randolph s. Foster, on ac.
count of non-effectiveness. A most an
ptess!ve scene followed the reading of
the report. Bishop Foster arose and
amid almost breathless silence said he
wished to relieve the Conference from
any deiicacy in acting as their judgments
n'ctateo. He asked permission to retire
smop bowman also asked to be retired.
as nave learned" he said, that an,
none effective" Gil
ptsnop George II. Brdgeman offered q
Sp,1osutute. which provided that Bishops
bowman and Foster be not retired ana
onat me Board of Bishops be asked r.
give them light work ~
After an exciting scene tbs ran,r.
adopted iePort was
II. brskman said that the rannr,
- lhe committee was unklnd. Who a re
these men that DR.. Buckley and his
committee propose to say to the church
~ ~. orU'her churches and to the world
sho 'mey are 'hon-effective? They are
s, VINO nave done most for Metho-
alsm, The majority report would be
exceedingly hurtfulito the church
Key DR.. J. Il. c. SAWYER. of r,o,,
saiu ne hoped the substitute wouId he
aaopted. The adoption of the commit
.es lepoit would be needless humiiia-
.!oh ION TO these beloved Bishops who have
done SO muchifor the church Tho nni'.
excuse that can be offered for their re-,
tlremeht Is one of expense and jim view
oi me great wealth of the Methodis,
Cnurch, u counts fornothIng.
heV DR.. James f. Chaffee. OF Mime
no'a: saiu that unless the conference
wanted to be confronted with nrnnoei-
tlons or this kind to limit to the ter,ns
OF Bishops. Il must pass something along
tmis'Hne. This Is no place for sentiment
we must go according TO our convIc.
Ilons and retire these men, painful ms /,
may be. q" u
The discussion Of the report was tha
feature of the conference nm to ,,his
tlihe. andiall who participate in the dis
eussion spoke in an earnest manner.
ReV DIR. Lanahan, OF Baltimore said
Ihere is great deal of honey in the
report The honey. however. Is a very
eooa way to smooth the way the com
h i,'u.ee aimed at. There are things that
nave been left out of this discussion that
mad better been said"
think, sir, that the proceedings of
1his 'Episcopal committee have been nm
Paralleiied in the history OF the church
fof the honor of the cuhrch / hope IL
may never occur again"
This committee had been in sscret
session IT was meeting for execntiont :
! thlnk one f'the dangers Of our church
To-Day Is In keeping secret what ought
10 be published. What was 10 be said
about these great men? Have they
been guilty of any lmpropriety? The
tShmiMee SAID In presesnce Of visitors
should not be made public. I will ask
rhe chairman of the Committee of Epis-
copacy to say whether II IS go or not -
Or; Buckley arose and In q very agi-
rated manner said that he declined 10
be questioned. but that he would reply
10 the most singular address at hts close
ihe previous question was ordered.
Dr. Buckley was given permission TO
reply to Dr. Lanahan. He said: Our
reportiwas voted for by all OF our com
mittee OF 130 save five members. Those
brethren. If they are not retired. are
official residents Of the great Episcopal
cities. We called these secret meetings
that we might question these beloved
pAYhops when not surrounded by every
thirsty reporters and persons totally in
competent to judge the great principles
or Methodism. In the interest of the
episcopal Board beseech you to ADOPT
the majority report"
DR.. Buckley's speech was delivered in
q very earnest manner. During the de-
bate much difficulty was had by Bishop
Mallilu in keeping the delegates from
applauding. He said that the matter
under discussion was delicate one and
he hoped that. the conference would re-
frain from applause at least until this
particular matter was disposed of. The
substitute was tabled and the report
adopted. retiring Bishops Bowman and
Foster.
DR.. Buckley read report No. 2. from the
Committee on Episcopacy. 1t said that
On the selection of Bishops there SHOULD
be no discrimination on account of race
and that the time has now come to elect
Bishop OF African descent
Rev. DR.. Brooks. of Washington, a
cooreu delegate, said: 1.-The desire for
colored Bishop comes from ali the
colored people of the church. What
we want is u black Blshp. not because
he is,black, but a black Bishop neverthe-
less"
Rev. DR.. E. w. S. Hammond. Of Lex
ington, one of the leading colored di-
vines In the church, said: IT favor the
selection of Bishop of African descent
because his work Is needed among the
blacks of the country
Rev. Dr. Wilson: OF Baltimore, offer
~ fNII ,lt,x- la. .t--All a