The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-05-18
SPELLMEYER LEADS
In the Voting For a New Bishop
at Chicago.

Chicago, May 1S.-The result of the
sixth ballot for two additional bishops
was read this morning before the Meth
odist general conference Immediately
after the reading of the journal. The
votes was as follows: Henry Spellmyer
309; J. F. Berry 264; D.. H. Moore 259;
J. W. Hamilton 232; w. v. Kelly 166; J..
W. e. Bowen 81; T.. B. Nicely 16. Others
from 1 to Is votes each.
A buzz of excitement came from the
delegates the heavy increase in
DR.. Spellmyer's vote wa noted, putting
the Newark, N. J., pastor, for the first
time, far ahead in the ace for the
Episcopacy.
DR.. J. NJ. Buckley. as chairman of the
New York East delegation then arose
and withdrew DR.. W. Y. Kelly's name
from the contest, saying that for family
reasons the editor of the Methodist Re
view requested his friends to no longer
vote for him. Amid considerable confu-
sion the seventh ballot was then taken.
Debate on the question of electing
two additional missionary bishops to
Asia; which was under consideration
yesterday was then resumed.
After DR.. Nicely had closed the debate
the question was put on aSSa and by
practically a unanimous vote the com
m1ttee report was adopted. This pro-
vides for two additional missionary
bishops for Asia, the same to be CO.
ordinate in authority.
The result of the seventh ballot was
bA1CA 4Cd0, d. 1O4lOWS- II. ODGtlInY6T 81.
J. +. Berry 294; d. H. Moor 275; j. w.
Hamilton 255; J. w. E.. Bowen Al; T.. B.
Nicely 20 Others from 1 to 70 each. Nee
essary to a choice 46S.
All the leading candidates had appar-
emily benefited from the withdrawal of
Dr.. Kelly. This was true especially of
DIR. Spellmyer and the New Jersey di-
vines friends confidently predicted his
election today. The eighth ballot was
then taken after a motion to proceed
to the election of missionary bishops
had been voted down.
Dr ). +. Upham, from the committee
on 1ntlnerary, then read the omm
datlon OF the committee regarding the
much disputed question of the time limit
on pastorateS. The report ommend
that section 3 of 173 of the
book of discipline be amended by strik-
ing out subsection 8 and inserting in
lieu thereof, he shall appoint preachers
to the several pastoral charges annual
~" This in effect abolished the time
honored rule of the Methodist church
that no Methodist shah occupy a church
for a period more than five years an6
the liveliest kin of debate ensued. A
minority report was also read, providing
that a i've year pastorate could only
be extended by the request of three
fourths Of the membership of the quar-
terry conference, and that a passionate
in no case could be extended for more
than a second term of five years.
The eighth ballot resulted as follows
4. opeA4ulyeT, 0lZi y. +. Berry, S35; d
II. Moore, 283; ]. W. Hamilton, 24S; T
B. Nicely, 81; J. w. z. Bowen, SO: c. ]
Little. 49,; others from one to IL votes
Necessary to choice, 456.
Over the paragraph in the minorit,
report providing for a ten years Iimita
ton a wOrdy battle was waged. DR.. G
E. Akerman,Of the Alabama conference
made an eloquent argument in favor o
the amendment. DIR. Buckley favoret
the adoption Of the minority report a
amended which, in effect, removed tn
time limit with the Safeguard of a three
fOurths vote requirement.
IF you remove the time limit with
out restrictions" said he, you will b
the most detested general conference
in the history of Methodism. Three
ffths of Methodism is rural or semi
rural, and all through the districts tn
people want the time limit. Toremove i
entirely would be regarded by them a
in a way class legislation in favor of tn
large cities"
DR.. Buckley was heartily applaude
as he concluded. The eighth ballot wa
then read.
Assistant Secretary Penn of the Ep
worth league withdrew the name of D
J. W. E. Bowen, the coIored candidat
for the Episcopacy. The ninth baIlC
was then taken.