The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-05-06
"Parson" Goodwin Discusses the
Speeches of Delegates and Ac-
tfon of the Conference.
THE TEMPERANCE COMMITTEE
1T MAY ATTEMPT TO WORK IN IS-
TEREsT OF THE PRoHIBs-
why the "Parson" Is Opposed to q
Bishopric for Rev. DIR. QuayIe
at the Present Time.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
CHICAGO, May 5.-To-day's session or
the Methodist Episcopal Cuadrennial Con-
ference was brief. The time of the dele
gates was mostly devoted to the INTRODUCE
tion of resolutions and memorials. prelimt-
nary to the real work OF the conference.
The most exciting discussion so far in
this session OF the conference occurred
Friday morrsng. soon after some unimpor-
tant details of organization Mr.. Wilson.
a presiding elder from the Iowa Confer
ence, offered a resolution to the effect that
bishops and agents and other General Con-
ference officers should not receive any
compensation except necessary travelling
expenses for dedicating churches and at
tending college commencements and other
like services. An attempt was made to
amend so as TO read "shall not charge"
etc., but it went through shall not re-
ceive," so as to cut off all special gifts for
such services. The discussion elected some
facts that were a surprise to many and
made public some family secrets not gen.
orally known outside the circle that had
been victimized by charges for such serv-
ices. AT times the discussion indicated
temper to make the prohibition include fees
for lectures, but the action was limited to
the dedicating of churches and such serv-
ices at college commencements as may
properly be included in the phrase: ''rem-
poral and spiritual interests Of the
church." There is some talk that later on
a resolution will be introduced to cover lee
turing by these church officers as an avo-
cation which takes much time, for which
they are paid salaries, and which requires
them to greatly neglect their official duties.
some proposing 10 include pastor lectures
also, but the difficulty Of drawing a line
will probably forestan any further resolu-
tions.
FEW APOLOGIES FOR BISHOPS.
1t must have been a surprise 10 the bish-
ops to hear such a review OF their official
work, and no less surprise TO find such
men as DR.. Buckley, of the New York Ad-
vocate and DR.. Potts. of Michigan. among
the advocates CT the resolution. Only two
or three feeble attempts were made to
apologize for the bishops; the most pointed
was the allegation that. as the man who
gives bribe is as guilty as the man who
takes a bribe, so the man who pays q
bishop special compensation for special
work is only wishing to curry favor wita
The organization of the temperance COM
mittee took place Friday afternoon. Il
consist of about 30 members. only about
sixty of whom were present at the organi-
zation. If these represent the average SEN
timent of the committee, the most radical
measures ever proposed to a General Con-
ference may be expected. On the third bal
lot Professor Dickey. the late chairman OK
the Prohibition national committee. was
elected president by about three-fourths OF
the vote, and Representative Johnson, OF
Dakota, the author of the celebrated anti
canteen law, was elected secretary on the
first ballot, and he was then made secre-
tary by a unanimous viva voce vote. But
for personal reasons he declined TO serve.
whereupon DIR. Bashford. president of the
Ohio Wesleyan University. was elected on
the first ballot He is as ultra a Prohibi-
ton party man as Professor Dickey. Later
the president was authorized TO appoint
committee of seven on resolutions. and the
president and secretary were added
TO the committee. II is not diff
cult to foresee that the resolutions will
attempt 10 commit the Methodists OF the
United States against Mr.. Mckinley. at
least, If not to the Prohibition party.
What will be its fate I'm the whole COM
mittee cannot now be predicted. nor yet in
the General Conference. II it is SUI
stantially the same presented eight years
ago by the same chairman IL will at least
provoke lively discussion. In the reforma-
ton of committees, after the seating OF
the PROFESSIONALS Captain Conner was
superseded by Mr.. Bodine on this commits
tee, worthy. but less known. man.
AFTER THE SCHOOLS.
A resolution was introduced on Friday by
Mr.. Brown. of Colorado. TO investigate tho
condition Of our theological schools. This
was understood to mean the getting after
that heresy that Is supposed 10 infest tho
Boston and the Evanston schools
1t is noticed that Dr. Charles Parkhurst,
editor of the lions Herald. Boston. who
always attends the General Conference is
not here. He is to be one OF the defendants
In the schen suit for damages IL they can
ever get service upon him. OF course. they
can In Boston by going -here. but II would
suit the plaintiffs better to get service on
him in Chicago. which he seems not
inclined TO favor by his personal presence
within the jurisdiction OF this State. AZ
least that is one conjecture about his con-
spicuous absence.
have been asked bs men from the East
and the West how Dr. Quayle would do
for a bishop or an editor. have Uniform
ly answered he would not do az all-too
young. What may be his qualification four
years hence viii depend upon whether the
time limit is removed or not IL this 10
not removed he would do for any place
by that time. but IL removed. that makes
a difference In conditions. In that case he
viii Be eligible TO remain at Meridian