The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1900-06-01
WIDELY ODIOUS
Is the Paragraph of Forbidden
Amusements in Methodist Church.
IT WILL DROP OUT UNWfPT
at the Next Decentralization Of
the Prerogatives of the EpiscOpacy
a Marked Fsature-work Done by
Conference Summed Up.

Special Dispatch to the Intelligcneer.
CHICAGO, May sl.-The supremacy
OF parliamentary law had hne illus
tratlon In recent session Of the Cen
eraI Session OF the NJ, Z. Conference.
The famous Paragraph PAS, containing
the black list Of forbidden amusements,
was under discussion. Those who stood
for the retention OF the law were being
hard pressed by q governor and two
college presidents. not TO mention a
number OF average ministers and lay
men. AS caricature Of the paragraph
n delegate moved TO complete the list
Of disspatlng diversions to be placed
under the ban. He named upwards OF
nifty, closing with "that dangerous
game Of chance OF casting lots for seats
OF general conference delegates" The
great audience was conyulsed with
laughter. but several delegates seemed
in 4 towering rage and characterized
the amendment as lnslnccre. and an
outrage. A storm swept over the body.
1t was demanded that the delegate be
ruled out Of order But the
bishop affirmed that he had no
right to interpret the motives Of del
egate in Offering n motion. An appeal
was taken from the chair but the lat
ter was sustained, and this great body
OF thoroughly excited men finally quiz
eted down, and the sway Of the princi-
pies OF parliamentary law was appar-
emit. There iS'no doubt but that the
humorous amendment acted inversely
from the intention OF the mover, and
turned the scale in favor Of the reten-
ton Of the paragraph, which is widely
odlous and null. It is believed that It
will drop out entirely at the next con-
ference.
Invasion Of Episcopacy Prsrogatlves,
Tho invasion Of the prerogntives of
the episcopacy is one Of the marked
features Of this session. Retired bish-
ops are hereafter to be called super
annuates" the same term applied now
to ordinary worn-out preachers. The
general conference not only reserves
the right to name the cities which shall
be episcopal residences, but also the
bishops who shall reside in them. The
plan heretofore has been to allow the
bishops in the order OF their seniority
in office to select the residences in the
cites designated. A dead line for bish-
ops has been established at seventy
two years when they shall cease from
the functions Of Office, II not previously
superannuated. Retired bishops are to
draw half-pay. Certain Incidents
which have transplred during the SEES
sion here have been interpreted TO show
a disposition to further degrade the Of
fee. For example, one bishop has
been reprlmanded for taking collections
at the conferences at which he pre-
sided for the benefit OF an Institution
which he had founded. Another for his
presence on the floor OF the conference
for the purpose Of influencing legisla-
ton, and third for refusing the right
Of appeal to certain ministers. The
common Impression Is that It has not
been a good conference for bishops.
This charge upon the eplscopacy has
been in the interests Of IN alleged dem
ocracy. Time will tell. however,
whether this humiliation OF the bishop
rIc has been Of real advantage to the
church
Work Summed Up IN Nutshell.
The things done by this general con-
ference can be pu, in nutshell, as
follows:
Admitted lay delegates to equal rep
resentntion In the general conferences
OF the church.
Admitted women rs lay delegates.
Adopted \ constitution.
Removed the privilege of allowing
bishops to select their residences and
decided to appoint them.
Elected two bishops and two mis-
sionary superintendents.
Elected publishing agents editors OF
church papers. and secretaries OF benz
cvolent societies.
Abolished the time limit on pastor
atcs.
Refused 10 alter the discipline pro-
hlbitng Indulgence in dancing and
kindred amusemcnts.
Refused to accept the majority report
OF the temperance committee scoring
President Mckinley and the adrinIs-
tratl1n. ana adopted the minority dec
laration Instead.
Scored RIshop Walden for denying
his preachers the right Of petition.
Consolidated the secret1ryShins NJ
the several benevolent societies Of the
church
Established foreign episcopal resi-
dences as Shanghai. China. and Eur.
ich. Switzerland.
The sitting Of the general conference