The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-05-15
STORM OF NOES
Greets the Proposition to Plant
the British Flag
Alongside the Stars and Stripes
at NJ. E. Conference.

Chicago, May 15.-The programme for |
today's session of the Methodist general /
conference included the report of the |
committee on episcopacy and balloting
for election of bishops and resulted in
an unusually large attendance. Bishop
Isaac w. Joyce was the presiding Off
Ger at today's session. the devotional
exercises preceding the regular session
being led by Prof. :. +. Upham of Drew
Theological seminary. After consider
able routine business John Handley Of
New Jersey introduced a resolution
which resulted in an uprOar. 1t was that
the British cOlOrS be given place
alongside the stars and stripes on the
platform of this conference.
storm Of noes" went up from the
delegates when the resolution was 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
protection which encourages US in the
great work of preaching the gospel. 1t
stands for the open Bible in every COM
munity. The American and the BTiton
have locked arms to close the century
with one united effort to destroy the
crescent and lift the cross in the east"
DR.. Handleys remarks for the mo-
ment apparently turned the tide in IA
yor Of the resolution but after several
delegates including w. J. Welch of Wy
oming, had spoken against it. a motion
to lay on the table made by DR.. S. Z.
Cadman of the New York conference
prevailed.
At IL o'clock the roll-calI for resolu-
uous and memorials was laid aside and
DR.. Buckley took the platform to read
the report of the committee on episco-
pacy Report No. g. on the effectiveness
of bishops, recommended that J. M
Thoburn, missionary bishop of India
and J. G. Hartzell, missionary bishop of
Africa, be declared effective, and that
VIM. Taylor. missionary bishop of
Africa, remain in his pre- sent position.
This was adopted by a large majority.
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
general conference may safely and wise
ly choose a bishop from among the
LOO ministers of African descent, and
we recognize the need of a bishop
among the people Of African descent"
This, too, was adopted amid great APP
plause.
DR.. Buckley then read the report on
the election of additional general SUI
perintendents. 1.-The committee on
episcopacy recommends that two gen
eral superintendents be elected by this
general conference" said DIR. Buckley.
Il have to announce a minority re-
port" said he In fact the division in
the committee involved the offering Of
L buckley
then moved the adoption Of the report
and the fight over the question of addi-
tiOnal bishops was fairly on. Leslie NJ.
Shaw was recognized to present mi
mOrity report No. l. It was that mo
more bishops be elected at this session
of the conference" and in a strong
speech Governor Shaw moved it's sub
stitution. six bishops can hold all the
annual conferences in eighteen weeks. -
said he amid great applause. IF you
add more bishops they will be busy but
not with the work of the EpiscOpacy.
DR.. Robert Forbes of the Minnesota
conference then presented a minority
report, No. 2, moving as an amendment
to the minority report presented by Gov
Shaw that four bishops be elected by
this general conference. There ought
to be a Methodist bishop in every greaf
city IN this country" said he. And they
should be appointed to their places, no
on seniority but for the work they may
do"
DR.. ]. H. Potts Of Detroit. editor Of the
Michigan Christian Advocate then SPOKE
In favor of the majority report
The first vote was ON the amendment
to the substitute. the amendment pro
viding for four bishops. This was over
Wheimingly voted down. The substi
tute report opposing the election Of an,
additional bishops was then put on it
passage. This, too, was defeated by
standing vote Of 419 noes to 224 ayes.
The majority report was then put Of
passage and carried by about the sam
vote.
A motion by Dr. Buckley that the con
vention proceed to the election 0
bishops was then adopted, amid consid
cradle confusion.
DR.. Potts dwelt especially upon tn
election Of a colored bishop which h
strongly favored. DR.. Charles B. Lore
layman, of Wilmington, Del, spoke il
favor Of the minority report an
against an increase in the number Q