The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-05-04
And Thinks There Should he q Line
UnwhoIesome Amusements.
"PARsoNo GooDWIN's REVIEW
INCIDENTS OF THE FIRST SESSION
OF THE CONFERENCE.
DR.. Neely and DIR. Buckley, Old-Time
Rivals, at 1t Again-what the
Resolutions May Say.
pecial to the indianapolis Journal.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
CHICAGO, May 3.-The Methodist Gen.
eral Conference moved along smoothly to-
day. The feature of the days proceedings
covered in the press dispatches) was the
address of Bishop Andrews. who took
especial pains to point out some of the evils
that beset the church. That portion of his
remarks dealing with the liquor question,
marriage and divorce and amusements
seemed to most interest the delegates.
1t is equal to a circus to attend the first
few sessions of a General Conference IL
one is In the least inclined to appreciate
the ludicrous. The religious ceremonies of
the opening yesterday were appropriate
and impressive. Not less than two thou
sand Joined in the singing and half the
number joined In the responsive readings
The prayer of Bishop Foss was tender
comprehensive and beautiful, and SO was
that of DR.. Goblin. To one prepared to
read between the lines part of Bishop
Foss's prayer had special significance. In
mentioning many things in detail for which
he implored divine guidance and help, he
came to the tussle with the saloon and the
comparatively little headway made against
IL.
prayed Lord, show the right method
Of attack, though 1t be something not yet
tried, and help to unite upon it,
Bishop Foss is an intense Prohibitionist
but he does not see deliverance through
party politics, seeing the manifest failure of
that method up to date, but he voiced the
opinion of that vast body in his words
Of trust that at some time and In
some way there would come divine aid
as 1T came in the overthrow of slavery in
way no one had anticipated. i.
RIVALRY OF LEADERS
AS soon as Bishop Bowman officially an
nounced the conference organized and
ready for business the performance began.
To appreciate the situation it must be
borne in mind that about a hundred or
more are in their respective conferences
recognized leaders. and are much depended
upon. or think they are to lead, and they
forget that DIR. Buckley is here, and Dr.
Neely and Leonard and Little are here
too. The first man to be recognized was
DR.. Buckley. He had a well-digested sys-
tenn Of whereases and resolutions relating
to the concurrence of the General Confer
ence in the action Of the annual confer
ences on the equal representation question
and they were adopted unanimously on the
call of the yeas and nays, and the consti-
tuition was declared amended. Then came
the question of seating the PROFESSIONALS,
but this required two or three resolutions
not exactly concurrent, but somewhat akin,
which DIR. Buckley wished to offer seriatim.
One provided for the seating of all the
PROFESSIONALS unless six members should
protest against one or more, who should
stand aside for special action, letting all
the others in. This was to eliminate that
floor and read a woman-like letter from
her declining the torture. If you imagine
1t simply declined with thanks. you are
much mistaken. That would not be woman
like i'm case like this involving not only a
personal wrong, but wrong to a good
cause. 1t was full of points. well sharpened
and well aimed. The PROFESSIONALS came in
by a unanimous vote, leaving one man in
limbo. through six protesters. and that
agony was over, and to-day business began
in earnest.
Yesterday afternoon the several dele
gates met to arrange their respective
places on the several standing committees
and TO ''put up" candidates for the several
offices. 1t is said that Ohio is prepared to
supply the entire demand and Indiana is
not wanting in devotion to the church in
this regard, the list of which / will not
give you now because they may not all
be elected.
THE CIRCUS OPENS.
The circus performance began yesterday
when DIR. Buckley began to move the adop-
ton of his second resolution from the
speakers stand, to which he had gone after
recognition by the chair. The rules require
a member TO be at his seat when Offering
a motion. This was too good a chance for
DR.. Nicely to score one against his rival
in motion-making. and he called Dr.
Buckley to order and the chair sustained
the point of order against DR.. Buckley. to
the immense delight of the conference.
Then began the struggle of the unsophis-
ticated who expected to take the lead here
as they do at home. In a few days they
will learn where they are at. Things will
run smoother by the middle of next week
All this would be unbearable, except that
he. DIR. Buckley. is such an encyclopedias of
information on every possible question, in
Guiding the rules Of the house, that IL is a
pleasure to hear from him. 1t was told of
him twenty-five years ago that when a
question was about to be put in his con-
ference. Bishop Ames said: 'But DR..
Buckley has not been heard from yet" DR..
Buckley. instead Of being squelched by the
intended sarcasm. made a good speech and
then the vote was taken.
The bishops address was read to-day
and the committees announced. and by Sat-
urday the work of the session will be fairly
under way
One prognosticator. who furnishes In
formation through the Associated Press.