Evening star., 1898-10-08
DIR. Dix's Defense.

DR.. Dix's Defense.
Rev. Morgan T. Dix of New York, chair
man of the committee on revision, express
ed his great satisfaction at the result of
the vote and entertained the hope that
final action would be soon reached on the
changes proposed in the constitution He
defended the course of his committee
showing its Cndeavor to meet the views of
the house of bishops without sacrificing
any of its Independence. He explained at
length the manner in which the committee
proceeded and described the difficulties
overcome in the way of steering clear of
matters that would have been revolution
ary. He strongly urged the defeat of the
amendment under consideration TO strike
out the paragraph mentioned under cOnsid-
Grafton.
There were cries of Question "Ques-
ton" from all directions when Dr. Dix
concluded. but Rev. DIR. Davenport Of Ten
nessee given the floor and gave
most interesting historic sketch Of the
course OF the church since the last century
regarding the rights of bishops, clergy
deacOns and laity in its councils. and the
relations of the constitution to church
cdnOnS.
Mr. George r. Fairbanks of Florida, who
described himself as a conservative among
conservatives, called attention to the great
growth OF the church and that which was
to follow. There Were now fifty-eight dio-
ceses, and soon there would be one hun
dred. There were certainties of new dio-
ceSes in Hawaii and Porto Rico probably
in the Philippines. Then other changes
would be necessary and changes now would
only complicate matters. He favored
therefore, making no changes at present.
Points on PhrnseoIogy Raised
Rev Mr.. Taylor. the original mover of
the resolution to amend the committees
amendment, expressed his surprise that the
right of self-government in the church.
which was the intention of his resolution
should have been characterized as revolu-
tionary. He was sure of being defeated,
but declared ne would go down with his
flag at the masthead.
The question then was raised on Rev Mr.
Tayiors amendment, and 1t was lost by
tremendous majority on viva voce vote
Rev. DR.. Egar of New York moved to
strike out the word further in the propo-
sition of the committee on revision en-
braced IN the new article constitution
The discussion which followed was oar
ticipated in by DR.. EGar and Rev DR.
Jewell Of milwaukee,. who believed the
order of the language of the proposed ar
ticle, as we'll as its phraseclogy, should be
changed, as in its present order it gave, he
thought, the standing committees veto
power over the house of bishops in con-
hrming the election of bishops.
Rev DR.. Elliott of this city explained
that the canons prevented anything of the
sort.
Judge Jno. II. Stiness of Rhode Island
then moved TO amend Dr. Egars amend
Ineht by inserting in place of further
lhe words together with previous" II
was overwhelmingly defeated.
Dr, Jewell then settled the matter by
moving a reversion of the order of getting
the consent to confirmation, making the
standing committees first and the house
OF bishops next. 1t was adopted
Amendments inspired by the national ex-
pansion sentiment Were offered by Mr.
aTDahks OF Florida and Rev. Mr.. Short
or Missouri. providing for the consent of
provincial bishops and dioceses as well as
those OF the United States to consecra :
tions, were laid on the table
Many Motions Tabled.
Rev Mr.. Weller of Fond du Lac moved
TO strike out all of section . The motion
was laid on the table.
Several other motions were laid on tho
table. and the question was upon the adop-
tion of article =, reported from the com
mittee revision as amended bv the
house, being follows:
strike out articles and 10 of the con-
st1tution and insert the following as III of
the constitutions, namely:
Article Ii-Section l. In every diocasa tba
blshop. or bishop coadjutor, shall be chosen
agreeably TO rules prescribed by the con-
vention of that diocese. Missionary bish
! ops snail be chosen in accordance with the
canons or tho general convention
Section - No one shall be ordained and
| consecrated bishop until he shall be thirty
| years OF age, nor without the consent of y
! majority of the standing committees of all
! the processes ana of majority of the bish-
! ops or TINS church exercising jurisdiction
| in the United States. But If the election
| has taken place within three months next
| before the meeting of the general conyen-
tion, the consent OF the house of IDENTITIES
snail be required in place of that Of ma