Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1896-05-15


Committee.
Cleveland, O., May 14-To-day's ses-
sion of the Methodist Episcopal Con-
ference was the most important that
has been held yet. The long expected
report of the committee on episcopacy
was presented and adopted, after an an
imated debate which was interspersed
with incidents of dramatic and pathetic
interest and many parliamentary tan
giles. 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 bishop
OF African descent, and also provided
for the election Of but two bishops TO
take the places of those who are retired.
The three propOsitionsin in thereport were
agreed to by large majority. This
action relates only to the bishops IN
this country and takes no account or
the bishops in the missionary field, who
Will be considered later
To-day's session was marked by the
largest attendance of the session, both
OF delegates and spectators.
Great interest was manifested for the
outcome of the committee on episco-
pacy. DR.. Buckley, the chairman,
made the roprt upon three distinct sub
iects. He read the report of the COM
mittee. 1t stated that in the opinion OF
the committee, Bishops Bowman and
Foster are too old to stand The strain Oh
the duties and recommended their re-
,irement at the end of this conference
as non-effectiye In the list OF bishops
returned as effective were all other
bishops with the exception OF Bishop
Taylor, and his name was net mention
ed. A generous appropriation was
urged for them and the respect felt for
them was fully set forth.
As soon as the report was read Bish-
op Foster advanced. The entire aud
fence arose and received him with the
greatest applause. He said he simply
had a request TO makes He knew the
question was one of great deicacy and
he begged 10 be permitted TO retire.
Bishop Foster spoke for few moments
and the conference, by a rising vote,
granted him his request. Bishop Bow =
man said he would make the same re-
quest. as he had just learned for the
first time in his life that he was not
effective.
The first part of the report waa
adopted. Then Dr. Buckley read the
second part, determining the non-ef-
fecdveness of Bishops Bowman and
Foster. Dr.. Buckley moved the adop-
ton of the report and hundred voices
seconded the motion. Dr.. George H..
Bridgeman of Minnesota, offered a
substitute which cited that Bishop Nor
riS and Bishop Simpson be continued
in the board of bishops, but relived of
their active duties.
Several colored delegates pleaded for
the selection of one bishop of African
descent but not action was taken on
their request. Then the substitute of
DR.. George II. Bridgeman, of Mime
sofa, which provided that Bishops Bow
man and Foster be not retired, was Ia
bled, and the report of the committee
on episcopacy retiring the two bishops
was adopted. The conference then ad
journed.
There was a lively meeting OF the
committee on temperance this after
noon and as result two reports defin-
ing the policy of the church will be
submitted tomorrow. The majority
report will be in line with the action of
She conference of four years ago at
Omaha. which was to the effect that no
political party has the right to expect
the support Of Christians if 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 Wichita,
Kas. Fifteen members of the commit
tee will sign the minority report, op-
posing the majority. 1t will urge that
the adoption of the majority report will
commit the church TO the Prohibition
party and claim that more effective
practical temperance work can be ac-
complished through the medium Of the
old parties. DR.. Everett, of the New
England conference. DR.. Mcfarland, of
Illinois, Prof. Harris, of Maine, and DR..
Quayle, of Kansas City, will support
the minority report. The committee
decided unanimously to cooperate with
the anti-saloon league.
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 past
secured aid which ought to be reserved
for poor congregations.
The committee on book concern de-
cided to recommend the appointment Of
a commission to prepare a new hym-
nal for the use of the church from
which much Of the light music now in
use would be eliminated
The committee on education took up
the subject of making loans to students.
II 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 $50,O00 of
that sum repaid, that better system
OF accounting be adopted and all stu
dents who are assisted be required to
waive the statute of limitation in the
notes they give as security.