The herald., 1896-05-14
Is Almost Ready to Begin Its
Real Work
REPORTS OF COMMITTEES
Will Be Followed by the Election ef
Bishops $685.
Lay Delegates Express . Determination -
Secure the Adjustment Of Time
Limit Of Pastorates

Associated Press Special WIRE.
CLEVELAND, May 13.-The delay In
the proceedings of the Methodist gem
eral conference on account of the fail-
ure of the committees to present their
reports is about at an end. With the
election of bishops and conference offi-
GERS, which begins tomorrow morning.
the conference will get down to real
solid work, and the sessions from now
on are likely to be full of interest.
Following the election will come the
settlement of the time limit question and
there will probably be a spirited con-
test over that. The most important
business at today's session was the
adoption of resolution changing the
time of the meeting Of the general con-
ference from the 1st of May to the first
Wednesday in May. There was much
oratorical spa.rrng among the delegates,
but the best of spirit prevailed through
out the session.
A proposition was presented by Rev.
l.. r. Fiske of Detroit to hold the gener-
al conference each six years. 1t was re-
ferred to the committee on the state Of
the church.
Chaplain c. C. McCabe presented a
constitutional amendment which for
bids any missionary society from appro-
priating any sum in excess OF the in
come OF the year previous. This was to
call a halt on the appropriations which
nave been made in excess of income.
the committee on episcopacy was called.
DR.. Buckley reported that the commit
tee Is unable to report at present on the
number of bishops, but he promised to
do so the first thing in the morning. a
report in which a change was proposed
IN the manner of baptism caused a pro-
longed debate. The proposition was ia
the ERECT that those who are sprinkled
IN infancy could, if desired, be Immersed
when they grew older. This was opposed
Dy Dr. Leonard and others on the ground
that it was discrimination against IN:
fant baptism, and after a prolonged dis.
cussion the report of the committee was
recommitted "
The committee on the book concern
made an adverse report on the recon,-
mendation to establish a Methodist daily
, paper Ne~A'S
| :, After announcements had been made
tne conference adjourned
| me committee on episcopacy TODAY
u,ecIueu 70 recommend to the conferences
.hat BISHOPS Bowman and Foster be de-
taareu td st,, non-eifective. which is equivalent
/ ~ retirement, and that three new hjsh
ops pc elected. 1t was practically de-
tiueu 70 take the same action in regard
| ~ bisnop Taylor of Africa, but his
speecn S TO the committee induced it to
81 action. All three bishops were be-
iore tne committee. and said thew war>
IN the hands of the general confsrsnnS
-! - s;.;isiisd that whatever the confer.
eAce would do was the will of God
ipisilop IayIor. however, explained his
via'lon , 10 the work in Africa and ths
,' nueoss ne had achieved in raising
ii;.y i;ohey Tor 1T, some of the efforts in this
direction being still in progress. Bishnn
PoWfiian Is 80 years old Bishop Fosfer
'6 and Bishop Taylor rs. : o''er
=, ne committee decided to recommends
"a. .s one OF the new bishops be a man o1
l, AilicaIl descent. The candidate of the
! deI6DafaG tel TN,.
mon theological institute.
me committe on itinerary will rec
ornmend that the five year limit NAV he
extended one year by an appeal Of the
congregation to the quarterly confer
uce' Wnere IL must have a three-quar-
Iers vote, after which it must receive
the vote of a majority Of the cabinet
oi presiding elders, including that pre-
slolng elder having charge OF the church.
and then the bishop must consent. This
may pe done year after year for five
Years making the longest possible pas
torate ten years. The laity claims lt
Will defeat this plan tomorrow.
minority committee report asking
Tor the abolishment of the time limit
Will be submitted to the conference and
Will probably be supported by the laity.
Ihe fev1sal committee ordered that
there be presented TO the conference to-
morrow rule requiring that one of the
first questions asked in examining cam
didates for licenses as local preachers
must be that regarding the use of to-
bacco, so framed that promise to Who'll
ly abstain will be necessary
MKINLEY is COMING
CANTON, O., May 13.-Gov. and Mrs
Mckinley leave Friday evening fol
Cleveland. to remain guests of NJ. A.
Hanna over Sunday. They will attend
the Methodist conferences. Mckinley
on Saturday will deliver patriotic ad.
dress to the conference on Washington