The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-05-15
BATTLED OVER TWO BISHOPS.
TWO OF TIRE METHODIST WHEEL
HORSES RETIRED.

count of Advancing AcaFs-An Ina
pressive scene aud Earnest De-
bate Follows the Reading of the
RepOrt-Two New bishops 60 De
Elected.
Cleveland. o., May 1.-THE general con-
ference of the Methodist church met this
morning at $50 o'clock with Bishop Malta
lien IN the chair II was decided that
diplomas from Methodist schools be ac-
cepted In lieu OF the conference course Of
study from candidates for the ministry.
The reports Of the committee on Episco-
pacy were presented by Rev. Dr. Buckley.
Report No. / recommended the retire
ment of the senior bishop. Thomas W.
Bowman, and OF Bishop Randolph L,
Foster on account Of non-effectiveness. A
most impressive scene followed the read
ing of the report. Bishop Foster arose
and. amid almost breathless silence. sad
he wished 80 relieve the conference from
any delay in acting as their judgments
dictated. He asked permission to retire.
Bishop Bowman also asked TO be retired,
"as j have just learned he said, that 1
am nOn-effective."
Bishop George II. Briggman offered a
substitute, which provided that Bishop
Bowman and Bishop Foster be not re-
tired. and that the board Of bishops be
asked 70 give them light work
Or. Bridgeman said that the report or
the committee was uukind. who are
these men that Dr Buckley and his COM
mittee propose TO say TO the church. To-
brother churches and TO the world that
they are non-effectiVe? They are those
who have done most for Methodism, The
majority report would be exceedingly
hurtful TO the church"
Rev DR. j. H. O.. sawyer Of Troy said
that he hoped the subject would be drop
ped. The adoption OF the committee report
would be needless humiliation 10 these
beloved bishops who have done so much
for the church. The only excuse mat can
be offered for their retirement Is one OF
expense, and IN view OF the great veal
OF the Methodist church, IL counts for
Rev. Dr. James +. Chanee Of Minnesota
said that unless the conference wanted
20 be confronted with propositions OF this
kind 70 limit the terms Of bishops L must
pass something along tins line. This rs
no place for sentiment We must act ac-
cOrdiug 10 our convictions and retire these
men, painful as IL may be-"
1ue uIscussIon OF the report was the
feature of the conference up TO lhls time
and all who participated IN the discussion
spoke In an earnest manner
Rev. Dr. Lan0han of Baltimore said (:
There Is a good zeal on money IN the re
port The honey, however, is a very good
way TO smooth the way the committee
aimed at. There are things that have
been left out OF this discussion that had
better be said
this Episcopal committee have been un-
paraneled in the history of the church.
For the honor Of The church 1 hope II
may never occur again.
This committee has been in secret ses-
sion. 1t was a meeting for execution. !
think that one of the dangers Of our
church to-day is in keeping secret what
ought to be published. What was to be
said about these great mem Have they
been guilty Of any improprietyY The
committee said IN the presence OF vlsl--
tors that they wished to say things that
should not be made public. l VIII ask
the chairman Of the committee on epis-
copacy 70 say whether it is so or not"
DIR. Buckley arose, and In very agitated
manner said that he declined TO be ques-
toned, but that he would reply to the
most singular address at its close. The
previous question was ordered.
DR.. Buckley was given permission TO
reply 10 Dr. Lanahan. He said: our
report was voted for by all of our COM
mittee Of l30, save five members. These
brethren If they are not retired, are ofti-
cial reslsents of the great episcopal
cities
we might question these loved bishops
when not surrounded by ever-thrsty re-
porters and persons totally incompetent
TO judge the great principles of Metho-
dism In the interest OF the Episcopal
board, | beseech you to adopt the ma
jority report"
DR.. Buckley's speech was delivered In
very earnest manner
During the debate much difficulty was
had by Bishop Malalieu In keeping the
delegates from applauding He said that
the matter under discussion was a leli-
cate one, and he hoped that the confer
ence would refrain from applause at
least until the particular matter was dis
posed of.
The substitute was tabled and the re-
port adopted, retiring Bishops Bowman
and Foster.
DR.. Buckley read report No. from the
committee on episcOpacy 1t said that In
the selection Of bishops there should be no
discrimination on account of race and
that the time has now come to elect a
bishop Of African descent.
Rev d. Brooks of Washington, a color
ed delegate, said: THE desire for a col
ored bishop comes from all the colored
people Of the church. What we want Is a
black bishop, not because he is black but
a black bishop nevertheless"
Rev Or. 70, w. s. Hammond of Lexing-
ton, one of the leading colored divnes IN
the church, said: II favor the selection Of
a bishop Of African descent because his
work Is needed among the blacks Of the
Rev DR. Wilson of Baltimore offered the
following IS a substitute for the report =.
THAT in the selection Of bishops the dell
egates should be untrammeled and there
fore the race or nationality Of a bishop Is
not proper subject for legislation"
Wade II. Thomas (colored) Of North
bishops, there are forty-four general con-
ference officers and of these the 263 900
colored members have only one represen-
tatiYe. Is that iustice7"
Rev. Madison G. 3. Mason, who Is one OF
the leaders Of Southern Methodism. said
he hoped that there would be nothing
done to drive the white bishops out Of
the south, but at the same time he thought
the time had come to elect a colored bish-
op.
The previous question was ordered and
the substitute tabled. The committee re-
port was then adopted.
DR. Buckley read report No from the
committee on episcopacy, which declared
that there should be three more bishops
selected.
Rev. John D. Walsh Of Kentucky moved
TO amend the report by adding another
bishop, providing one of those selected
is q colored man.
Dr. Little moved as a substitute that
the number Of bishops to be selected be
two.
DR. Bristol Of Chicago moved to amend
by declaring that there should be no more
bishops elected He said that the bigh-
ops had little work to do
1T is to the ambition of men who
would be bishops" said he, that this re-
port is to be credited. They have already
figured out when these noblemen are to
die, and are now figuring on how they can
get their places. / hope this conference
will smother this ambition that we NAV
have more money for necessary purposes. .
The previous question was ordered DR.
Buckley was given the floor. and said
Most of the bishops are old and are la
Ii IT, hoo In -