The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-05-22
Lnck OF business sense shown I'm the
ignoring Of Men Who Would Have
Made Good hook Agents.
HOLSTERS OUT IN THE COLD
NOT ONE GIVEN A TASTE OF THE
MANY PLUMs DISTRIBUTED.
Action I'm Regard To Amusements and
Episcopal Residences-Eiection
of Secretaries.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
CLEVELAND, O.. Nay Zl.-There has been
no abatement on the part OF the laymen for
equal representation in the General Confer
ence OF the Methodist Episcopal Church, and
no difference of opinion. but the result OF
the election of book agent has greatly in
fensified feeling already very earnest. The
seeming concessions to them in 1872. when
Or. Phillips was elected, was more OF
coercion than concession. The Lannahan
scandal was fresh in the minds Of the
church. and the laymen were then in the
General Conference for the first time, and
CIR. Phillips had been the ranking book
keeper. and. IN fact, the real manager OF the
Western house for many years. having grad
uated from the rank OF messenger boy at
thirteen That Mr.. Phillips introduced many
new methods OF business, which would make
q repetition OF the looseaess OF the former
methods next 70 impossible was unanimously
conceded, but that no other layman was
elected for a quarter OF a century counted
nothing-the plum was too good to be shared
with the laymen. even when two men OF
rare business training were at had 10 ac-
cept It. Mr.. Johnson. who was voted for
Tor the Western agency. has been practi-
cally at the head OF the business depart
ment for many years as confidential clerk
and business Hanager. There was not de-
tail OF the business that he was not familiar
with. and It would hardly be extravagant to
say that proposed enterprise was under
taken or rejected against his advice. But
good preacher in Minnesota, a possible fu-
ture bishop. wanted to fail in line for the
Office. as Bishops Merrill Walden and
Cranston had done before him, and he was
elected, with no special qualification for the
Office. and he alone takes charge of affairs
~ Cincinnati, under the direction OF Mr..
Johnson, who knows more about the inter-
nal workings of rhe business than the new
agent can learn in his four years. But such
are the ways OF the world. Many a compe-
tent chief clerk In fat office has been
passed by In the election TO make room for
a ward worker who could not manage the
Office a week but for the superior qualifica-
tions of the man who could not De elected.
ANOTHER GOOD NAN SET ASIDE.
The case in the Eastern house is the same.
Dir. Magee. the man who was not elected,
was literally born in the business. His faith
er was manager OF the depository at Bos-
ton before the boy was born. and he grew
up so familiar with the business that when
his father died no thought OF anything
else than that ne shouli take his fathers
which be had been the real manager OF for
years. But al this expert training counted
nothing when a popular pastor OF Brooklyn
wanted TO exchange the pulpit for desk
for which he has no training whatever But
from this you will hear later on IN various
ways.
The typical old miller, who would stick
to his burrs and their belongings II IL killed
him, had his innings yesterday, the first
relating to the chapter on amusements. to
which brief reference was made in last
nights dispatches. It's discussion brought
oiaimed that the rule was observed at ALL
except, possibly, in a few rural districts
and that no attempt had been made in al:
the .tventy-four years Of its existence TO
enforce 1t by any pastor, or likely to be in
the future. or that 1t had had any effect IN
from joining The only argument in retain
ing II was that its removal might be con-
strued into at least quasi approval of
The second was the final conclusion of
the episcopal committee TO episcopal res
idence. already referred TO in these dis
patches. or course the places were desig-
mated. but the discussion preceding the
final vote in the committee was Instructive
or ought TO have been The FRS iirst lesson
In sight at least once In a while, though he
might have no episcopal authority with him.
from Omaha to Portland. Ore. The at
tempt to do this brought out class of
facts which as much demanded secrecy as
ton tor of the bishops. For instance. it was
stated that after all this supposed arbitrary
requirement. of a bishop TO reside at any
Bishop Newman was assigned to Omaha
he actually lived in his own residence at
Saratoga. only visiting Omaha occasionally,
and II was Arther disclosed that the
called resident bishop proved TO be no
bishop at all at his place OF residence. but
er all. there was little in an episcopal resi-
dence except that the name of the supposed
residence appears in the Discipline and an
occasional visit from the bishop OF some
far distant diocese.
MISSIONARY BISHOP QUESTION.
The matter or the residence abroad Of O
general superintendent seemed to be finally
settled yesterday by the almost unanimous
decision OF the episcopal committee There
may be none. But the final decision as to
missionary bishop has not yet been made
and will not be for day two. and it
now seems probable that whatever the de-
cision of the committee. the final settlement
win be left for the conference, for
there be sharp lines Of division
upon this question which may pro-
woke heated discussion, the final
decision Of which Is likely TO be affected by
ton as TO allow the assignment OF bishops
to nationalities. When the report was made
this morning a proposition TO make Shang-
hal first. instead of Philadelphia. and later
instead OF New Orleans, the feeling was
developed that Indicates a purpose to pro
vide more missionary bishops, and espe-
cially fofebodes hot discussion when the
main question comes up. the result OF which
Il Is not possible TO foresee.
So Tar Indiana has received net crumb
from the table so well loaded with good
things. IL r. too late now 10 correct the
biunder. which is largely. If not entirely.