New-York tribune., 1900-05-13
METHODIST CONSTITUTION.
DISCUSSED BY GENERAL CONFERENCE
ELECTION OF BISHOPS DELAYED
PRESENT BOARD ALL EFFECTIVE.
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Chicago, May f2-Discussion of the accept
ance of the report of the Committee on Organic
Law as the constitution of the Methodist Epis-
ccpal Church occupied the General Conference
this morning. Progress on the adoption OF the
report has been SLOW the matter having been
before the body for four days. The greatest at
tention is being paid the matter. as the report
will be- If accepted. the first practical constltu-
fion of the Church. For a hundred years the
theologians of the Church have been laboring IN
an endesvor to discriminate between organic
and statutory law.
Discussion arose when Article 4 was read 10
the Conference. The section provides for the
organization of the General Conferences ID
lection was made to the clause which allows the
seating of a delegate to be challenged II SIX
delegates feel so inclined. The disPutants ar
gued that the delegate, on presentation Oh MS
Credentials should be allowed TO participate IN
the deliberations OF the body until ruled out py
the Conference To refute this argument the
conservatives who favored the report. cited the
case of Brigham Roberts. whose seat in con-
gross was questioned. They maintained that as
the Mormon was not admitted such precedent
is fit to he followed by the Conference.
DR. John Sweet of Detroit, stood up and ex-
claimed: The Infamous polygamist, Brigham
Roberts. never got seat in Congress- ihis
remark was roundy applauded
Dr Leonard. of Cincinnati. declared that he
was surprfsed to hear the name of Roberts
brought up on the floor Of the Conference as
applicable TO the matter before the house. The
article was finally passed in its original form.
The article on voting also came in for much
consideration. BY the report it was provided
by the first section that the layrnen and minis
ters should deliberate one body. but that on
questions concerning change in Discipline anu
on a vote of one-thire of either laymen or
preachers on any question. the voting of the
Law and clerical members should be done sepa-
rately The point was raised that the adoption
or the section was drawing the line between the
two orders.
The debate lasted for two hours. and an
amendment was finally adopted. The amend
uent provided that Section l of the article be
stricken out This regarded concession
on the part Of the clerical members and gives
10 the laymen another privilege. 1t was feared
that the body would be divided on the question
of voting but the article was passed by large
majority.
Election OF BISHOPS POSTPONED.
The Committee on Episcopacy made its re-
port and requested that the election of Bishops
be postponed until Tuesday morning. Chairman
Buckley stated that many memorials had
poured into the committee in the last few days
that more time was needed to consider the situa-
ton. .., 49,,
rulings of Bishop Vincent. who presided over the
session DR. John Lanahan. of Baltimore, made
a sharp protest. Il demand said the patriarch
-that the Chair rule on the questions before the
house He has repeatedly allowed points or ORDER
10 go without settlement, and the members are
unable TO vote intelligently on the question HIS
brief speech was supported by eXclamatiohs Oh
approval in all parts of the house
Bishop Charles B. Galloway, fraternai dele
gate of the Methodist Episcopal Church South,
was introduced to the Conference. he had
hearty welcome. all the delegates rising and ap-
plauding vigorously. -f "'' 80
The Committee on Elections announced its
regulations for the election of Bishops. oook
agents and other General Conference officers.
The yotine viii be done by ballot and in sections.
There will be sets Of tellers, and during tne
election visitors will be barred from. the main
floor of the convention. The delegates VIII slaho
tn their places while voting.
TO CUT OFF FOUR SECRETARIES.
The report of the Committee on the State Of
the Church recommended that there be only one
general secretary Of the organized benevolences
of the Church. and that he shall act executive
officer. This proposition cuts off four general
secretaries and reduces the salary list SlS.ooo,
The womans Foreign Missionary Society held
an anniversary meeting in Studebaker Hall this
evening Addresses were made by Miss Nina
Rouse Of Ku Chang. China and Mrs. f. w.
Parker. of the seven founders OF the society
Affer a spirited executive session of three
hours the Committee Episcopacy recommend
ed that the entire Board of Bishops be declared
effective and that four additional Bishops be
added 10 the list. This action. If adopted by the
General Conference. will make the Board or
Bishops number twenty-four. The understand
ing that the committee had decided not to retire
any of the present Bishops had cheering effect
on them to-day. especially the older ones, whose
faces. heretofore stern and calm, were wreathed
I'm smiles.
In a memorial sent to DR. Bashford, of the
Temperance Committee, the National Woman s
Christian Temperance Union urges a strong
declaration the part Of the Conference, favor
ing the continuance of Sunday school temper
apce lessons. II is also recommended that far
as possible the teachings Of modern science, as
well as of ancient history and other correlated
lines, be brought to the aid Of the teachers.