The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-05-20
DEADLOCK ON BISHOP QUESTION.
Twelve Ballots Taken and No Election
Nicely Coming Up.

Twelve Ballots Taken and No Election
Nicely Coming Up.
CHICAGO, May 19.-The Methodist Gen.
eral Conference is in a deadlock over the
election of two members of the episcopacy,
three more ballots having been taken to-
day without result. The last ballot an
nounced, however, showed evidence of a
landslide for a candidate hitherto not
prominent in the balioting. DR.. T. B. Nicely,
of Philadelphia, who almost stampeded the
conference by a powerful speech on the
life tenure of the episcopacy, during the
debate on the question of missionary bish-
ops. DR.. Nicely sharply criticised those
who put the bishops on "a higher PEDESTAL
and contended that the episcopacy was not
a third order. DR.. Berry and DR.. Spell
meyer fell off considerably on the ballot
ing.
After a somewhat sensational debate pre-
ceding the action of the conference in re-
fusing to send an additional bishop to east
ern Asia the conference resumed the debate
on the ministerial time limit, one of the
most important questions before the con-
ference. Some of the most eloquent men in
Methodism argued in favor of the abolition
of the time limit.
A message of fraternal greeting from the
Presbyterian General Assembly now in ses-
sion in st. Louis was read at the opening
of the session to-day. After the transac-
ton Of some minor routine business the re-
suit of the ninth ballot for bishops was an
nounced. 1t follows: j. f. Berry, 357; Fl.
Spellmeyer. 345; d. III. Moore, 293; j. w.
Hamilton. 25s; T. B. Nicely. 80; c. ]. Little.
10. Others from one to seven votes each.
Necessary to a choice, AGO.
Some surprise was caused by the big fall
again put him in second place in the bal
loting. The conference then proceeded TO
cast the tenth ballot. Rumors were thick
of combinations between leading candi-
dates Tor the episcopacy and the belief was
general that at least one bishop would be
elected inside of two or three ballots.
The rules were then suspended to hear
the report of the committee on episcopacy.
presented by DR.. Buckley, on the question
of retaining the title of missionary bish-
ops" favoring their retention. 1t was
adopted.
The committee also reported in favor of
the election of another missionary bishop
for eastern Asia, his work to embrace
China, Japan and Corea. This report was
accompanied by a written communication
to the committee from the board of bishops
sionary bishop for that part of the world
Over this report Unexpectedly developed
one of the most interesting debates OF the
conference, involving the question of life
tenure of bishops. Governor Shaw spoke in
favor of limiting the term of missionary
bishops TO eight years.
DIR. T. 3. Nicely. of Philadelphia, was
then recognized and in one of the most i'm
passioned speeches so far heard In the con-
ference favored the report. This will be
a historical day in this conference" said
he. He favored having the bishops stay on
the field and protested against the idea of
life tenure in the episcopacy. II believe
every bishop here is subject to the COM
mand of the conference when in session."
continued DR.. Nelly. 81 may never have
another opportunity to express myself on
this question and / do so now. 1t is not
third order. bishop who does not treat
his brethren as brethren is an autocrat 1t
sometimes is necessary to remove a man
and the General Conference has absolute
ance or no feasance at ALL"
DIR. Neelys speech was taken as a pro-
test against the excessive reverence for the
episcopacy, and when the PHILADELPHIA d.
vine finally sat down he was greeted with
prolonged hand-clapping and waving of
handkerchiefs.
Dr. Hiram w. Lowry of North China,
made a plea for a general superintendent
for that country, with an episcopal resi-
dence there, instead of missionary bishop.
DIR. ]. F. Thompson. Of South America.
followed in the same line. Said he: This
is the second time that my annual con-
ference has commissioned me to ask the
General Conference not to infiict upon us
what we consider calamity-a missionary
bishop
Mashoyoshi Takaki, of Toxic japan. also
opposed the sending of another missionary
bishop to eastern Asia
Pending action on motion to recommt,
the tenth ballot was announced as follows:
j. F. Berry, 337; III. Spellmeyer, PCS; d. H
Moore, 2sS; j. w. Hamilton, 2S7: T. b.
Nicely. 81; E. j. Little, 16. Others from
one to nine each. The eleventh ballot was
ordered.
Dr. Buckley then spoke I'm defense of the
committee report. After further brief de-
bate a motion to lay the report on the
table was adopted, the conference thus
bowling to the protests Of the foreign dele
gates.
Discussion of the report Of the committee
on initerancy, which was presented yes
terday, was then resumed Frank A. AFTER,
of the East Ohio Conference. spoke in sup
port of the majority report. favoring un-
conditional abolition of the time limit
The eleventh ballot was then announced
as follows: j. f. Berry, so; J. W. Hamil-
ton. 2Sl; D. II. Moore, go: H. w. Spell
meyer. 2S9; Nelly, 1873; e. ]. Little, 10.
Others from / TO votes
DIR. Neely's eloquent speech had appar-
emily deeply moved the conference and the
twelfth ballot, which followed immediate
ly. was taken amid considerable confusion
DR.. j. r. Day, of Syracuse University
then took the platform in support of the
majority report of the committee on itin-
erancy. DR.. George II. Bridgeman presi-
dent Of the Hamline University, and Gov
ernor Shaw, Of Iowa, also spoke in favor
of the majority report Debate on the re-
port was continued until after O'Clock.
when the twelfth ballot was announced as
follows: ]. F. Berry. 2e6; ]. w. Hamilton,
272; T. B. Nicely. 235: D. H. Moore. 234; III.
s. Spellmeyer. Isl; j. r. Ray. q: E. ]. Lit
tie, %.
Following the announcement an attempt
was made to indefinitely postpone further
balloting for bishops, but in the midst of
an uproar the motion was voted down and
at Ills D. m. the conference adjourned for
the day
THE LIQUOR QUESTION.