The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-05-15

Strong but Fruitless Effort to Retain
Bfshops Bowman and Foster.

Strong hut Fruitless Effort to Retain
Bfshops Bowman and Foster.
CLEVELAND. May 14-To-day's session
Of the Methodist Episcopal Conference was
the most important that has been he'd yet
The long-expected report Of the committee
on episcopacy was presented and adopted,
after an animated debate which was in
terspersed with incidents of dramatic and
pathetic interest and many parliamentary
tangIes- The report provided for the retire
ment OF the venerable Bishops Bowman
and Foster on the ground OF non-effective-
ness. declared that the time is opportune
Cor the election of a bishop OF African de-
scent and also provided for the election of
but two bishops to take the place of those
who were retired The three propositions in
the report were agreed to by a large ma
5orsy. This action relates only to the
bishops in this country and takes no ac-
count Of the bishops in the missionary field.
who will be considered later.
Tomorrow morning the conference will
proceed to the election of the two bishops
The contest is narrowing down. 1t is now
conceded that Chaplain McCabe. of New
York. Is in the lead. although it is doubtful
II he yet has the two-t thirds vote required TO
elect Chancellor j. r. Day is said to have
decided to withdraw and throw his support
to Rev. DR.. ]. w. Hamilton, of Boston.
Jesse +. Case OF Pittsburg. layman. who
y ambitious to secure election to secre-
taryship OF the Freedman's Aid Society, may
alienate certain Pittsburg support from DR..
Charles w. Smith. Of that city. by joining
with the Day-Hamilton forces. The election
y likely to prove very interesting and lively.
When the session opened this morning
there was large attendance Of delegates
nd ha 70
served for the general public were all oc-
cupted. Instead OF taking up the general
was resumed where 1t was ief; off yesterday
When the committee on temporal economy
was called Secretary Monroe asked for a
ton which contemplated cnange In the Dis
clplne could be acled on without being in
the possession OF the conference for one day
and without being printed in the Daily Ad-
The report OF the committee on missions
20 $4,000 was adopted. The commute also
recommended a Hing-Hua mission in China.
Ii was adopted.
The report OF the committee on educa-
ton. which excuses students from taking
the conference examinations in those
branches In which they have passed salts
School, was adopted unanimously.
Tie committee on church extension made a
report against the extension Of work In for
eien lands
Great interest was manifested in the report
of the committee on episcopacy. DR.. Buck
ley, the chairman. made the report upon
Bishops Bowman and Foster were too old
retirement at the end OF this conference was
therefore recommended as noneffective. In
the list OF bishops returned as effective were
Bishop Tay.or, and his name was not men,
toned, generous Gus appropriation was urged gee
Tor them was fully set forth.
BISHOP FOSTER PLEADS.
As soon as the report was read Bishop
Foster advanced The entire audience arose
and received him with the greatest applause.
In the midst of a most impressive silence
the low tones of Bishop Fosters voice was
heard. He said he simply had a request
70 make He knew the question was one OF
great delicacy. and ne begged to be per-
mItted TO retire. Cries OF mo. Nor came
from ell part} OF the hall. and Bishop Foster
extended his arms, saying. "Please please. y
1t was most pathetic scene. Bishop Fos-
ter spoke for Few moments, and the con-
ference. by rising vote, granted his re-
quest
bisnop Bowman said he would make the
the FIRST time in his lie that he was was moi moi
effective. call was made for a few re-
marks from him. but ne declined to say
left the hall Bishop Fosters speech was
touching in the extreme and he left every
thing in the hands OF the conference.
The first part OF the report was adopted
Then DR.. Buckley read the second part de-
termining the noneffectiveness OF Bishops
Bowman and Foster. DR.. Buckley moved
the adoption OF the report and a hundred
voices seconded the motion. DIR. George III
Brsdgeman. OF Minnesota, offered a substi.
tute. which cited that Bishop Bowman and
Bishop Foster be continued on the board OF
bishops. but be relieved OF their active du-
ties In support OF his motion DR.. Bride.
man said IL was unnecessary and unkind tc
take such action as that contemplated in the
report OF the committee. He eulogized B.sh.
ops Bowman and Foster. ard urged tina
they be permitted TO round ou. their magnsf
tcfnt careers as effective members OF the
tn favor Of the substitute He said the onl,
oh5ect IN retiring the two bishops was e