Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-05-22
EXCITED METHODISTS
THE ELECTION OF BISHOPS AT THE
BALTIMORE CONFERENCE.
The New Method of Voting Causes
Queer Hitch, hut Matters Were
Finally Adjusted-Appeals Heard
CONCERNING EvangeIists.

BALTIMORE, May n.--(special. 1.-THE
climax OF the General Conference was
reached this week. 1t was the election
OF bishops and correctional officers.
There was never such excitement aroused
by an election and not in all
the history OF the Church has such a
condition OF things arisen as occurred In
the election of bishops. The Committee
on Episcopacy recommended the election
OF only two bishops and their report was
adopted. But when the election occur
red, by the method OF voting-viz, for
two at time. there were three men
elected.
PUzzLING VOTE.
The whole number of votes cast was
20. necessary to an election, according
to immemorial custom, a majority, 12s
votes. There was no election on the first
ballot. The three leading men stood as
follows: Hoss. l02; Gambler, 10l; Morri-
son. 100 On the second ballot Gambler
received las. Morrison 40, and Hoss l2s
mere was great applause as each candi-
cate received the required number, but
when DR.. Hoss crossed the line the ap-
plause was tumultuous. Here was
curious state of things. The conference
had decided to elect only two bishops,
put three had been elected. There was
the greatest confusion and perplexity.
Dr' faul Whitehead said that this cleo
tlon had demonstrated the yiciousness
OF the method employed-of voting for
TWO men on one ballot-and moved that
the election be declared null and void
and that new election be taken, and
only one bishop be elected at a time.
he was supported in this view by Mr.. ].
Z. Parker, member of the Virginia House
OF Delegates, who had Just come in as an
alternate. But the presiding Bishop
ruled that as the conference had only
ordered the election of two bishops. only
two could be elected. and he, therefore.
declared Drs. Gambler and Morrison the
fortunate men. The decision was not
reiished very much by a majority of the
body-the constituency Of DR.. Hoss-but
they submitted to the inexorable. There
was possibility Of a reopening of the ques-
tioh the next day, but any possible
reversal of the purpose OF the conference
IN ordering the election of only two bish-
ops and conform their action to the
vote, was prevented by the nomination
by DR.. Tigert of DR.. Hoss as editor of the
General Conference organ, the Christian
Advocate. For this Office he received al
most the unanimous vote of the con-
ference DR.. Hoss to-day is the biggest
man In the body. In heart, head, and
high position. in the love of his brethren.
he has no superior. He and DR.. Gambler
are regarded as two of the strongest men
IN the conference and Church.
APPEALS HEARD.
COnnnitf4a m
on Thursday the appeal of Rev. NJ. S.
watts, against the action OF the Vir-
ginia Conference in expelllng him from
the ministry Of the Church. r. w. Pea
tross plead his cause before the COM
mittee, but In vain. for the committee de-
cided by majority vote-seven voting
In the negative-to sustain the action of
the lower court
The Committe of Itinerancy recon-
mended that hereafter no appointment
De made by the bishops without CONSUL
tation with the presiding elders When
thls recommendation is adopted, the adj
visory power of the presiding elders Is
provided for in the statutory law of the
Church. Up to this time 1t has been
generally recognized and sbserved, but
not by authority of any written statute.
GLADSTONE HoNORED.
The conference turned aside from its
regular business the other day to adopt
resolutions expressive of the greatest
admiration and regard for the Character
OF the great English statesman, scholar.
and Christian, W. e. Gladstone. The ac
tlon was taken upon information Of the
death of the grand old man.
The Virginia Conference, at its last
session, adopted a memorial. asking the
General Conference to place Fredericks-
burg among its appointments. But Fred
ericksburg wanted TO remain with the
Baltimore Conference, and so the memo
rial of Virginia has been turned down.
DR.. r. n. Sledd was honored the past
week in being made vice-president Of the
Board of Missions
On yesterday another memorial from
virginia was reported against. 1t was a |
memorial TO give TO preachers on trial |
the right 10 vote In the Dlstsct Con- |
ference.
Inc Committee on Itinerancy In re-
porting upon conference journals. while |
the Virginia record .riti- |
cisco In one or two insignificant M. Gu !
lars the way in which it is kent. This |
brought Dr.. Whitehead to his feet in /
criticism OF the committee, and, as Is |
usually the case, the house was with him
Or. Whitehead, not only in Virginia, but |
here also. is renowned as an ecclestias-
Ilcal lawyer. He has appealed three
times from the decision of the Chair.
and each time has been sustained In his
appeal.
AGAINST EVANGELISTS.
To-day the evangelistic question comes
lp and has been made the order of the
lay. There will be fun and fur In the
air, for Sam Jones has got on hye mo. |