The times., 1898-10-15
SOME CONVENTION SKETCHES.

In each of the two branches of the
a few members whose thorough mastery
of the rules of parliamentary proceed
ings enable them to untangle many OF
the seeming Gordian knots in which the
delegates succeed in tying themselves in
the course of long discussions. When
amendments after amendments are offer
ed. each subject to other amendments,
and each open for a more or less pro-
tracted debate, it Is a brain twisting ef-
fort for one whose experience in such
matters is limited to keep his bearings,
and to know just exactly what he IS
voting on when he utters his aye or nay.
Many amusing mistakes result, and some
of them might have serious bearing
on questions but for the readiness with
which master minds go to the rescue.
In the House of Bishops, the scholarly
Bishop of Maryland. the Right Rev. Will
liam Paret, is the one who most frequent
ly unraveis the entanglements in which his
reverend colleagues occasionally find
themselves. and brings order out Of con-
ditions which sometimes border on chaos.
He Is regarded as the ablest parliamen-
tartan in the body, which is equivalent
to saying that he is one of the ab.est in
the country, for there are few among the
seventy-one bishops in attendance upon
the convention who could not preside over
the house If they were called upon to do
SO. Bishop Paret. however. seems to be
naturally gifted in that respect, ana he
has every rule at his tongues end. No
mn Tor hnNy intricate "a discussion be-
comes, he keeps pace with the principal
subject as well as its ramiications, and
is ready to check any iil-directed move
ment which threatens to interrupt the
current of the proceedings.
In the House of Deputies, besides the
Rev. Morgan Dix, D. D., whose preemi-
nence as a presiding officer is such that
for fifteen years he has been selected TO
take charge of its deliberations. there is
Dean Hoffman, who is also an excellent
pariiamentarian. He is an earnest and
eloquent debater, as well. and has taken
an active part In the proceedings of the
present convention. His knowledge OF
parliamentary rules is complete, and he
has frequently demonstrated it In points
of order when the thread OF the discus
sion has been lost in almost interminable
amendments with their consequent de-
bates Joseph Packard. jr., of Baltimore,
II another member of the house who Is
thoroughly equipped in tGat direction, as
he has demonstrated while presiding over
the deliberations OF the house on the
questions of constitutional revision
There is at least one hero OF our war
with Spain who sits as a clerical delegate
in the House OF Deputies. 1t is the Rev.
H a. Brown, delegate from the mission
airy Jurisdiction of Arizona, who, during
the Santiago campaign and until he was
mustered out, was chaplain of the most
famous regiment in the army, Col. Roose-
velts Rough Riders. Mr.. Brown is about
thirty years old alert and active, and the
only effect the hard campaign had on him
was to make his muscles iirmer and his
skin clearer, albeit a trifie brown. He oc
cupied the pulpit of the Rev. DR.. Greer
while in New York city with his regiment
after its return from Santiago, and was
only home three days when he was sent
to Washington as a delegate. He is stop
ping at 1923 II Street northwest.
A small church paper which has at
tracted considerable attention during the
convention is ''The Open Door Library"
whose editor styles himself shut in
The story OF his earnest effort to contrib
ute something to the general welfare of
mankind while supporting himself is full
of pathos. His name is Oscar c. Pierson
and he lives in Haleyville. n. j., where
the paper is published. For over ten years
he has been a helpless cripple suffering
from rheumatism and unable during that
time to leave his bed. His right hand is
fhe only limb which he can use EaflV
IN his Illness he was deprived of such 9TH
er means OF support as he had and he
started the paper, devoting its columns 10
church and Sunday School matters. He
made II unique and 1t has been moderate
ly successful, a great many church people
contributing to its columns and taking
charge of its various departments for him.