New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-05-05
DO BISHOPS ACCEPT FEES
QUESTION RAISED AT METHODIST GEN
ERAL CONFERENCE-TO INQUIRE
INTO THE CHURCH BOOK PUB
FISHING BUSINESS
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE. ]

/ BY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNEl
Chicago. May 4.-Amusements and the ques-
tion of fees for Bishops and salaries of book
agents came up for preliminary handling before
the General Conference of the Methodist Epis-
copal Church in the Auditorium to-day. and the
first rap was given to the representatives Of the
Book Concern of the Church
1t the time for the annual Conferences
to present memorials and resolutions to be con-
sidered by the general body and its committees
One memorial and one resolution on the amuse-
ment paragraph in the Book of Discipline came
early. The resolution recommended that no ma
terial change be made in the paragraph for
bidding dancing, theatregoing and other diver
sions that are under the Methodist ban After
some debate the resolution, which came from
the Columbia River Conference. went the
Committee on the State of the Church. The
memorial came from the Central Pennsylvania
! Conference and called for a modification Of
Paragraph No 24S. 1t went to the same COM
mittee.
The thrust at the book agents in a
resolution calling for a detailed report on the
profits and losses of the Book Concerns and the
salaries paid DR. McEIroy, of the Illinois Con-
ference. presented the paper. Immediately an
amendment proposed TO have the statement
presented within ten days. We want 1t SOON
err" said Dr. McElroy. You can't make it too
soon for US" declared the mover Of the amend
ment. I'd like to have IT in three days"
Finally. an amendment was proposed to get
the report within week. and so amended the
resolution adopted.
Other matters of interest in the session were
the passage of resolution for a committee 70
investigate the theological Summaries. and the
spirited debate the receipt of extra emolu-
ments by Bishops and other officials for attend
f7ur JaJJ;o
PAY FOR SERVICES OF BISHOPS.
Shall a Bishop have his price," That was
the question precipitated in the resolution in
PRODUCED by William G. Wilson, of Iowa, that
Bishops and General Conference officers should
receive nothing above their actual expenses for
attending dedications of churches. anniversaries
of educational institutions and such like other
services" For hour the fight spirited,
and then on motion OF DR.. P. H Swift, of the
Rock River Conference, the previous question
was demanded. and the resolution, unameuded.
adopted. DR.. J. NJ. Buckley. Editor of The
New-York Christian Advocate" was again the
leading speaker.
In the discussion it was distinctly and re-
peatedy stated that no reflection was intended
on the Board of Bishops though some members
of the Board did charge for dedication and an
niversary services. This known and not
denied. But lt was the OBJECT OF the reSOluILOlI
to make these charges Impossible in the future.
DR.. Buckley declared that II was a prostitution
of his high office for Bishop to sell the time
and the energy for which he was amply paid
by the Church, and the Conference Endorsed
heartily the remarks The amendment of DR..
Moore. of West Virginia, that all men paid
ample salaries should be included within the
meaning Of the resolution was laid on the ia ole-
DR.. F. A. Hardin, presiding elder from the
Rock River Conference. wanted 10 know VINO
the actual sinners were IN the case, he hau
never been charged more than actual expenses
by a Bishop in experience of fifty years. He
said it might be necessary in the future for the
Bishops to ask the question in annual confer
ences, Have you sought to bride any Bishop
Union and harmonious action between the
church extension societies in the large cities
were asked in the resolution presented by
Dr. John F. Goucher, OF the baltimore Confer
enCe, in a paper signed by himself and j. T.
James. asking that the Bishops appoint spe-
cial committee of fifteen 10 consider the sub
tect of city evangeliZation and church extension.
DR. Goucher Is president Of the Womans Col
lege Baltimore, and also a. candidate for Bishop.
He explained his resolution by saying that there
are about forty organizations for church extern
sion in the large cities and that they should be
united in such way TO bring consistency
into the work The Conference decided TO have
the committee Of fifteen appointed
AMUSEMENT QUESTION RAISED.
The amusement question came up when a
memorial 20 amend Paragraph No. 2iS of the
Discipline was passed up from the Central
Pennsylvania Conference, 10 be considered by
the Committee on the State of the Church
This memorial probably calls for a modification
in the rules against certain amusements. The
conservative element came next. DR.. Henry
Brown Of the Dakota Conference. offered a
resolution that Paragraph No. 24S Of the Dis
cipIine should remain substantially II is for
the coming Quadrennium. DR.. Forbes of Min
neSota, raised the point of order that the para
graph in the Discipline, and ii needed no
motion to keep ii there. The looked for debate
the amusement question was promised but
DR.. Nicely, of Philadelphia, moved the reference
OF the motion 10 the Committee on the State
OF the Church, and IL referred.
Considerable discussion preCipitated over
the appointment of a Committee Deacon
esses. There has been some friction between
the workers Of the Women's Home Missionary
Society and the Deaconesses in the past. A
whole matter referred. 1t is predicted that
the report OF the committee will bring
heated debate
Before adjournment a resolution passed
by the Conference by a standing vote cOngratu-
lating Bishop Thomas Bowman on his long
ministerial career and good health. The Bishop
said in acknowledgment: II thank you for this
kind act and hope to meet you all up yonder in
Heaven"
Dr.. w. A. WhitlOCk presented the following
which adopted
''ResoIved-That hereby most gratefully
recognize the action Of the President Of the
United States in directing that exhibits at the
Paris Exposition be closed on Sunday and
we earnestly urge those in charge to do all in
their power 70 make effective this direction"
STATE COMMERCE. CONTENTION CALLED.