The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-05-26
PROCEEDINGS IN DETAIL.
The Fight Between Ministerial and
and Lay Delegates.


and Lay Delegates.
CLEVELAND. O., May 25.-There were
stormy scenes Ia the Methodist General
Conference to-day. 1t was. by all odds, the
most tumultuous session that has yet been
held. There was a clash between the min
isterial and lay delegates, and for time in
the afternoon Bishop Hurst, who was in
the chair lost all control of the assembiage-
A dozen delegates were on their feet at the
same time shouting for recognition, calling
for rulings Of the Chair on points Of order
which had never been heard. and. alto
gether, the scenes were more exciting than
are usually witnessed in political conven-
tions. The contest came over the fourth
section Of the new constitution, as reported
by the committee. When the section was
read amendment providing for equal
representation for the laymen in the Gen.
eral Conference was proposed. The discus
sion was participated in by Rev. DR.. Alex.
Ashley, of Washington, Rev. DR.. ]. B. Gray,
Of New Jersey. Mr.. Henry French, of San
Jose Cal. Rev. L. B. Wilson, of Baltimore,
and DR.. A. J. Kynett. of Philadelphia. Many
bitter things were said and it looked for
time as If there could be no reconciliation
between the ministers and laymen. Finally,
however, peace was restored by the with
standing that the whole matter should be
brought up again in different form. The
election OF DR.. Hartze,l, Of Louisiana, as
missionary bishop for Africa. to succeed
Bishop Taylor, who was retired, was the
incident of the morning session. The con-
| ference decided to-day to hold two sessions
daily until adjournment, in order that the
business might be disposed "
The conference opened to-day with Bishop
fanr h-fra no
1 lead in the morning hymn. The first bus
mess OF the conference was to limit the
speeches to five minutes and the time fer
chairman or committees to speak was lifn-
| tied to ten minutes. Bishop Foss had diff
Guilty in receiving parliamentary courtesy,
out he welded the gayel With determine ton
| and maintained order. A suspension of rules
to allow the committee Boundaries 10
make special report was granted. After
much discussion 1t was decided to hold two
sessions day hereafter.
The order OF business of the day, the cleo
ton OF misse Iary bishop to Africa, was
Old fight by moving that the vote by which
It was decided to elect missionary bishop
Another motion was made to postpone the
election of missionary bisnop until the com
mittee on. judiciary had reported on some of
the legal points. Ii was promptly tabled
1t was decided to elect by ballot, without
nomination. and that a two-thirds majority
| then ordered.
The report Of the majority committee on
constitution was submitted 1t did not sug-
gest any changes OF note. but recommended
\ reference to the annual conferences The
e. James K S a Tennant. IT, E. ]. j. sawyer Snsw 'Sna Sna
that the latter also be referred to the isy
| eectoral conferences in order that the laity
OF the church might have something to say
about the adoption Of the report. DIR. Ky
| nett made a strong plea for the minority
report. l.. 4. Swartout, lay delegate
spoke against the entire report He COM
of a 10 nnr rarrrr .f 4,
| church.
The first ballot on missionary bishop was
B. ~ Hartaei. as g. NJ g B. Las %ason n0'si 81: Al II
| n. Moore. q; J. w. Hamilton, Is; George o.
Cue. 1s; scattering, 46 Another ballot was
Col Fred D. Grant and Bishop Arnett. of
the African NJ. Z. Church, were then intro
duced to the conference.
| After recess the second ballot on mission
ary bishops was announced. 1t resulted in
| the election of Rev. DR.. ]. c. Hartzeli. He
received 335 votes.
The argument Of the report of the CON-
mirtee on constitution was taken up section
| by section and debated When the section
electoral conferences should be elected By
| the members of the quarterly conference
an amendment was made that the
ference be chosen directly by the
people 1t looked like the old fight Of the
iiaity against the ministry: A motion to lay
GIN When it came to vote the amend
| ment was lost by vote OF 1913 TO 189, the
laety losing their fight by only four votes
The lay delegates are feeling very bad over
this as 1t was expected the ministers would
| stand by them to sufficient extent to let
for over twenty years the conference then
adjourned until O'Clock. '
The conference proceeded at the afternoon
| the committee on constitution. First came
section 4, providing for the election OF lay
| manner at present followed. giving two lay
men from each annual conference except
| from such as have only one minister. in
Alexander Ashley. OF Washington. offered
| an amendment, the effect OF which was that
erai Conference as ministerial delegates. In
| moment the conference was In an uproar
Several hot speeches were made; The most
| New Jersey. He said the laymen were In
control in the quarterly conferences. They
% tell them what kind of houses i thew .f must live
| in what kind of clothing they must wear
| and even what they must eat II object
he cried, Ito this amendment, and / wifi die
fighting II need be to maintain our authority
| in the General Conference" The ministers
loudly applauded.
| amendment Bishop Hurst. who was in the
| chair, put II and IL was carried. Mr.. ASHLEY
asked for .s separate rate vote ss by y ministers ard
as the motion to table had already passed
| Mr. Ashley. in indignant tones. declared that
| he made the request Delore the motion to
table was put and that the chair recognized
| him then. The conference was In a state OF
intense excitement. The lay delegates clam
ored for the recognition OF Mr.. Ashley's pro-
test, and the ministerial delegates shouted
points of order and calls for the previous
question
Henry French of San Jose Cal. voiced
| protest in clarion tones which could be
| heard high above the confusing din Bishop
1 Hurst told him 10 put his protest in writing
but Mr. French stu protested He declared
that il was disgracefui and blow at the
| welfare Of the church 10 stamp on the Law
men as was being done. Scores OF DEL
egates were on their feet. all this time talk
ing and clamoring for recognition Finally
Rev Dr. l. Il. Wilson. of Baltimore. moved
that the vote to table be reconsidered.
| Rey. DR.. A. j. Kynett raised the point that
II the new constitution went 70 the annual