The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-05-15
ONE TO BE COLORED
COMMITTEE ON EPIsCOPAOY MAKES
REPORT.

Effective and should be Retired-These
AcquIesce and an Affecting Scene Fol-
lows-Committee on Temperance Splits
on the Prohibition Questions, Two Re-
ports Being Presented-Halt Called on
Church Extension Aid to Fine Churches
Cleveland, o., May 14.-Today's ses-
sion of the Methodist Episcopal confer
ence was the most important that has
been held yet. The long expected re-
port of the committee on episcopacy
was presented and adopted, after an
animated debate, which was interspers-
ed with incidents of dramatic and pa-
thetic interest and many parliamentary
tangles. The report provided for the re-
tirement of the venerable bishops, Bow
man and Foster, on the ground Of nom
effectiveness, declared that the time is
opportune for the election Of a bishop
of African descent, and also provided
for the election of but two bishops to
take the place of those who were re-
tired. The three propositions IN the re-
port were agreed TO by a large major
ity This action relates only to the
bishops in this country, and takes no
account of the bishops in the missionary
field. who will be considered later.
TWO NEW BISHOPS.
The conference today had the largest
attendance of the session. The report
of the committee on missions to in
crease the contingent fund from $4,000
to s50, 900 was adopted. The report CT
the committee on education, which ex.
cuses students from taking the confer
ence examination in these branches in
which they have passed a satisfactory
examination in some Methodist school,
was adopted unanimously. The COM
mittee on church extension reported
against extension work in foreign lands
Great interest was manifested for the
outcome of the committee on episcopacy
DR.. Buckley and Foster were too old TO
stand the strain Of their duties, and
recommending their retirement. A gen.
erous appropriation was urged for them
Foster made touching address and
left every thing in the hands of the con-
ference. A call was made for Bow
man but he declined TO say anything
and the two white-haired fathers left
the hall arm-in-arm.
The report of the comn.itte on episco-
pacy was adopted.
PROHIBITION QUESTION.
There was a lively meeting of the
committe on temperance this afternoon
and as a result two reports defining
the policy of the church with respect to
the temperance question will be SUBJ
mitted to the conference tomorrow. The
majority report will be in line with the
action Of the conference of four years
ago at Omaha, which was to the effec.
that no political party has the right
TO expect the support of Christians IL
that party does not declare in favor OF
the total prohibition of the liquor traffic.
This report will have the support Of
sixteen members of the committee and
will be advocated by DR.. Lowther, OF
Winfield, Kansas. Fifteen members OF
the committee will sign a minority re-
port opposing the majority. 1t will
urge that the adoption of the majority
report will commit the church TO the
Prohibition party, and will claim that
more effective practical temperance
work can be accomplished through the
medium of the old parties. DR.. Everett
of the New England conference, DR..
Mcfarland OF Illinois. Professor Harris
of Maine and DR.. Quayle Of Kansas
City will support the minority report.
cooperate with the Anti-Saloon league.
CHURCH EXTENSION.
The church extension committee de-
cided to recommend that hereafter no
assistance be given TO churches that
cost more than $4,000, except by spec
ial legislation. 1t was asserted that
many wealthy churches had in the pas.
secured aid which ought TO have been
ryod 20
The committee on book concern decid-
ed to recommend TIE appointment of
commission to prepare a new hymnal
for the use of the church, from which
much of the light music now in use
would be eliminated.
The committe on education took I'd
the subject of making loans TO students.
1t was decided to refuse such loans to
students in the Mexican and South
American conferences. 1t will be sug
gested to the conference, in view of the
fact that 100000 has been loaned in
twenty-five years and only $4,000 OF
that sum repaid, that a better system
of accounting be adopted, and all stu
dents who are assisted be required 70
waive the statute OF limitations in the
notes they give as security.
EPISCOPAL CANDIDATES.
The two bishops who were released
will be supported by the book concern.
Tomorrow morning the conference will
proceed to the ele,~on Of the two bis
hops. The contest is narrowing down.
1t is now conceded that Chaplain Nc
Cahe of New York is in the lead, al
though il is doubtful If he yet has the
two-thirds vote required TO elect Chan
cellor ]. r Day is said TO have decided
TO withdraw and TO throw his support
TO Rev. DR.. J. W. Hamilton OF Boston.
Jesse F. Case Of PittSburg, a layman
who Is ambitious TO secure election to
the secretaryship Of the F'reemen's AID
society, may ALLEVIATE certain Pittsburg
support from DR.. Charles ". Smith OF
that city by joining with the Day-Ham-
iFton forces The election viii prove
very interesting.