The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-05-16
ONE G(lORED BISHOP
Is Authorized by the Methodist
General Conference.
TWO ADDITIONAL BISHOPS
Decided Upon After Long De-
bate--0ne Vote Taken.


and eloquent debates of the quadrennial
conference. in which many of the most
prominent members of the church III both
hemispheres took part. The proceedings
| were watched by a crowd that taxed the
! capacity Of the Auditorium to its utmost.
The majority report, which was consid-
cred as being in the nature Of a compro-
mise, was adopted after two minority re-
| ports, one resolving that no bishops be
elected, and another providing for the
election Of four additional members Of
the board Of general superintendent, had
been voted down. Previous to the voting
the committees report favoring the cleo
ton of a colored bishop was adopted by
a large majority. One ballot on the cleo
ton of the two general superintendent
was taken just before the close of the
session, but its result will not be an
nounced until tomorrow.
Bishop Isaac w. Joyce was. the presid-
| ing officer at today's session, the devo-
tional exercises preceding the regular
! session being led by Prof S. F. Upham
| Of Drew Theological Seminary. After
considerable routine DR.. John Handley of
I New Jersey introduced a resolution that
resulted in an uproar. 1t was that 1.-THE
British colors be given a place beside the
! stars and stripes on the platform of this
| conference" A storm of noes went up
! from the delegates when the resolution
Yves read, but Dr. Handley finally secured
silence and made a passionate appeal for
the resolution. The British flag all over
/ the world has given to missionaries the
| in ha
/ great work Of preaching the gospel. 1t
stands for the open Bible in every COM
munity The American and the Briton
| have locked arms to close the century
| with one united effort to destroy the
Crescent and lift the Cross in the east
! DR. Handley's remarks for the mo-
ment apparently turned the tide in favor
/ OF the resolution. but after several dele
1 gates, including n. ]. WEIGH Of Wyoming
, had spoken against it, a motion to lay
on the table, made by DR.. S. P Cadman,
prevailed.
At 10 o'clock the roll call for resolu-
! tons and memorials was laid aside and
/ Dr. Buckley took the platform to read
( the report Of the committee on episco-
pacy. Report No. 3. on the effectiveness
( of bishops, recommended that James NJ
Thobourn, missionary bishop of India,
and J. c. Hartzell. missionary bishop of
| Africa he declared effective and that
William Taylor, missionary bishop of
Africa, remain in his present position.
Report No. was then read. This was
| on the election of a bishop of African
, descent 1T read: There should be no
discrimination on account Of race Or
color. Men should be chosen because of
the worth and fitness OF the person. We
believe the time has come when the gen.
eraI conference may safely and wisely
choose a bishop from among the 100 min
listers of African descent and we recog-
nize the need af bishop among the
people Of African descent" This, too,
was adopted amid great applause.
DR.. Buckley then read the report on
| the election of general superintendents
| Tho committee on episcopacy recon-
mends that two general superintendent
be elected by this general conference"
said DR.. Buckley. Il have to announce
a minority report" said he 'Tn fact
the division in the committee involved
| the Offering of a second minority report"
DR.. Buckley then moved the adoption of
the report, and the fight over the cues
tion of additional bishops was fairly on.
/ Governor Leslie NJ Shaw of Iowa was
recognized to present minority report No
!. II was that mo more bishops he elect
ed at this session of the conference" and
in a strong speech Governor Shaw moved
its substitution. six bishops can hold
ali the annual conferences in eighteen
weeks" said he. amid great applause
"If you add more bishops they viii be
I 1,ruF no
copacy''
DR.. Robert Forbes Of the Minnesota
conference. then presented minority re-
1Sort No. ?. moving. as an amendment 70
the minority report presented by Cover
nor Shaw. that four bishops be elected
by this general conference. There ought
I ODE a Methodist bishop in every great
city in this country said he. land they
should he appointed to their places. not
on seniority, but for the work they may
do"
Or. J. H. Potts Of Detroit. Editor OF the
Michigan Christian Advocate. then spoke
in favor Of the majority report. DIT. Potts
dwelt especially upon the election of a
colored bishop. which he strongly favor
ed. Or. Charles 3. Lore layman. u
Wilmington Del. spoke in favor Of the
minority report and against an Increase
in the number Of bishops. Don't let the
Methodist church get 'megacaphalis. -
said he amid laughter Matthew Slmp-
son az Philadelphia. son Of the late Bish-
op Simpson. advocated an increase in the
number Of bishops. and pleaded fer liber-
atty in this respect. DR.. J. F Thomp-
son Of South America spoke along the
same lines. DR.. a r. Leonard. secretary
to the Missionary society. made al I'm
passIOned plea for the majority report,
and especially for the election ~ a COL
orei bishop 20 preside over the eighteen
| cofo-e9 conferences. 4 J Wallace OF
southern California favored the election
Of four bishops, every one OF whom. ne
said, were needed in the west and The
Pacific northwest Amid & perfect babel
Of voices clamorinE Tor recognition. the
previous question was moved and ordered
by a majority % g voses. and at u:41
T. m. after a debate OF nearly two hours.
Dr.. Buckley vas recognized Il make the
closing argument In favor o< the ma
jority report The first vote was on the
amendment to the substitute. the amend
ment providing f,r four bishcas. This
was overwhelmingly voted deu-r. The
substitute report, opposing TIE election
% any additional Ais1ops. waS chen p,,t
on its passage. This. too. was defeated
by standing vote q sis noes 70 90
ayes. The usajcrtty report was then %;
on passage and carried BY abouc the sane
vote.
A motion BY Dr.. Buckley that the CO..
vendon proceed % the election .: bishops