New-York tribune., 1900-05-18
MORE BALLOTS FOR BISHOPS
METHODIST GENERAL CONFERENCE
CONTINUES INDECISIVE VOTING
SOME SECRETARIES CUT OFF.
METHODIST
CONFERENCE
TBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.1

torium had their predictions dashed to-day by
the results of the balotng for two additional
bishops. Candidates strong on the first and sec
ond ballots weakened, and new possibilities
sprang into prominence. The result of the fourth
ballot was a surprise to nearly every delegate
to the Conference. and another surprise was In
store for them on the fifth ballot. DIR. J. F..
Berry had been looked upon heretofore as GER
tain of election. The fourth ballot dspeed this
view. and Drs. ]. w. Hamilton and the Rev.
Dr. w " Kelley then looked like the probable
winners.
But great gains were made by DR.. Henry
Spellmeyer of the Newark Conference. on both
the fourth and fifth ballots. and now he stands
second on the list. DR.. Kelley dropped from
fourth 10 fifth place on the fifth ballot. ana Dr'
Moore from third to fourth Before adjourning,
the Conference cast its sixth ballot the result
will be made known in the morning. The poll
ticians Of the Conference refuse to make any
further predictions, saying they intend in the
future TO await the report Of the tellers
DIR. sPELLMEYER COMING TO THE FRONT
The result of the fourth ballot for the six
highest candidates j. F. Berry. 322; j.
w. Hamilton. 252; d. H. Moore. 2o5; w. v
Kelley 49, Henry Spemeyer, 100, and ]. w.
E. Bowen 81.
AT IL 80 O'Clock the Conference took the fifth
ballot the results Of which announced just
stin held the lead but was steadily losing The
race for second place between Drs Spell
meyer and Hamilton. with the former one vote
ahead. The vote for the six leading candidates
was: ]. F. Berry. 2S7: Henry Spellmeyer, 249;
]. W. Hamilton 24S; D. H Moore, 80; w. V
Kelley. 1893: ]. w. f. Bowen. 6S.
The transactions of the standing committees
that met late yesterday quite as lively as
those in the Conference. The Committee on
Episcopacy, the only committee having author
ity over the Bishops of the Church, arraigned
Bishop Walden for alleged tyrannical conduct
toward members Of the Wisconsin Conference in
1892 Bishop Walden was present, made state
rnent of the case, and the matter was referred
TO a special committee.
BY an overwhelming vote the General Con-
ference to-day took the radical action of cutting
down the number of general secretaries of the
benevolent societies TO one for each organization
The report Of the Committee on the State or
the Church urging this action was adopted,
with the provision that where there are two or
more secretaries at present least assistant
be chosen. This not only reduces the number of
offices TO be distributed by the General Confer
ence in its elections, but saves the church
considerable sum. for each of the four secre-
taries dispensed with received annual salary
of s., 800. The Missionary Society hitherto has
had three secretaries. the Freedmans Aid and
Southern Education Society two, and the
Church Extension Society two.
TO CUT OFF FOUR SECRETARIES.
Ex-Governor Pattison. chairman of the Com
rnittee on the State of the Church, presented re-
port No. 3 soon as a motion was passed to
suspend the rules the report could be heard
II was a brief recommendation, stating simply
that the committee advised that there be only
one general secretary for each organized henevo-
lerce of -
Allegheny College. moved amendment that
two secretaries be selected for the Missionary
Society. but il was laid on the table Then 1t
was moved to except the Freedmen's Aid So
ciety. but that also promptly laid ON the
table After a brief debate Ex-Governor Patti
son again took the floor and advised that the
Recommendation go TO the Committee on Con
solicitations
DIR. Buckley moved to amend that there be at
least one assistant secretary for each society
requiring two secretaries. DR.. T. B. Nicely ar
gued that any action would be futile, because
the Discipline provides for certain number Tor
each society. He favored reference to the Com
mittee on Consolidation Of the Missionary So
cieties. DR.. c. ]. Little opposed reference of
the report. and seemed 10 express the opinion of
the majority, for his statement evoked applause.
He desired approval of the recommendation be-
fore any other action is taken. The substitute of
Judge Ashley to refer laid the table,
and then Dr. Buckley pleaded for immediate
action. After some more discussion the previous
question was ordered. and so Ex-Governor Patti
son, as chairman of the committee. made the
closing speech. a motion to lay the Buckley
amendment on the table did prevail, the
amendment adopted and the amended
port was adopted.
MORE MISSIONARY BISHOPS WANTED.
Nearly all the remainder Of the session was
taken up with a discussion of the report of
the Committee Episcopacy that Mission
airy Bishops be added for Southern Asia, and
that they be coordinate in authority. The de-
bate was interrupted by the announcement of
the fifth ballot and viii be ended tomorrow
morning
II was decided TO hear the report of the Com
ulittee on Temperance at IL o'clock tomorrow.
At that time interesting fight may be
pected, in which the third party Prohibitionists
will array themselves on one side. The major
other things. that mo citizen and no Christian
has right by example. by voice, by influence
or by his ballot TO contribute TO the establish
ment or 10 the maintenance of the ungodly
license policy as applied to the liquor traffre'
and OF the usual recommendations the seventh
and last is that ministers and members of our
Church do not remain members of social clubs
which keep bar or provide intoxicating liquors
for the use of their members and btherss,.
Samuel Dck.e. Editor Of '"The New Voice" is
chairman OF the committee and signs this re-
pert. The minority statement, signed by Do J.
T. Price and twelve others, is more moderate
and specific the political question. gain
in the Temperance Committee fight, though
losing one was waged to-day against those who
desired to President Mckinley FOR his
attitude on the anti-canteen law interpreted
by Attorney-GeneraI Griggs. The fight will be
carried TO the Conference floor when the conf
mittee reports. -
The amusement question was considered again
to-day by the Committee on the State of the
church which could not reach agreement
yesterday
The report of the Committee on CITY Evan
geiization was adopted without opposition This
report makes provision for a National union