The age-herald., 1902-05-08
QUADRENN|AL
 CONFERENCE ON MelhodistS Hold Their First
 Session in Dallas.
EPISCOPAL ADDRESS READ
Few Additions to Church Brings Forth the Statement That Something Is Radically Wrong-Esrnest Plea
 for Superannuated Preachers.

Dallas, May 1.-The first session of the fourteenth quadrennial conference of the Methodist Episcopal church, south, was called to order by Bishop Wilson of Bal timore at 9:20 o'clock this morning in the old Auditorium at the fair grounds. Dis tirguished church men and laymen were present from all parts of the south. All the bishops with the exception of Bishop Kener of New Orleans and bishop Fitzgerald of Memphis are in attendance After the singing of a hymn Bishop liar grcve of Nashville prayed for unity moderation and conservatism in the de- liberation of the conference and hearty "amens' punctuated lis words.
 Passages of the scripture were read by Bishop Hendrix of Kansas and W. A. Celdter of Georgia. Another prayer by Dr. Anson West of North Alabama con- ference was followed by the addresses of welcome of Governor Savers, Mayor Ca- bell, Judge E. B. Perkins and the Rev. c. G. Rankin, all of which was enthus- iastically received. The conference then settled down to actual work. The roll call developed the absence of many dele gates end the Alabama delegation was noticeably absent, although they were expected tonight
 A Secretary Elected.
 By unanimous vote Dr. John J. Tigert of Nashville was elected secretary of the conference. He nominated for his assis- tants the Rev. A. F. Watkins of the Mis- sissippi conference and J. M. Bacus Of the northwest conference
 Governor Savers was presented to the conference by Bishop Wilson to make the address of welcome and the delegates rose to welcome him.
 The governor was listened to very at- tentively. He devoted most of his speech to the history of Methodism.
 Bishop c. B. Galloway of Jackson, Miss, replied to the addresses of well come. He said all were glad to be here. He knew Texas was a great state and had a great people, because the best peo- pie of all t..e old states had come here
 Sympathy for kener.
 pr. E. F. floss of Nashville moved that the conference send It's sympathy to Bishop Kener on account of his infirm- ity and to Bishop Fitzgerald on account of the death of his daughter. Mrs. Banks, a few days ago. The motion was carried unanimously. The rules of the last gen. eral conference were adopted. A com mittee of five to revise the rules were authorized and Is to be appointed.
 The Rev. Horace Bishop, of the North west Texas conference, moved that the sympathles of the conference be wired to Dr. B. M. Palmer, the celebrated divine of New Orleans, who was injured by a street car recently. Adopted.
 A committee of six on credentials was authorized an the reading of the Epis- copal address signed by the College of Bishops was begun this afternoon by W. ! w. Duncansof Spartanburg, s. c.
 The address was lengthy one and two hours were consumed in its reading Ii recites that only 3S,0S5 additions to the church have been made since the last conference, and says something is radi- cally wrong. The bishops also appealed for a better equipped ministry. Politics in | the church publications is strongly con demned. The bishops say the office of deaconess will be applied for, and they entreat the conference to act wisely and well.
 Ask Better Support.
 An earnest recommendation for the bet ter support of the superannuated preach CTS, widows and orphans of deceased preachers and that a plan be adopted whereby a fund of S100,0O0 may be se- cured for this purpose was made. The matter of local preachers working as evangeTfsts was touched on. The work of the mission boards, church extension, Ep- worth League and Sunday schools and the literature of the church was com mented upon. Large space was devoted to the schools and colleges of tlfe church. It was shown that the publishing house during the past year had done business of S20O GOO, an increase of IS per cent. A hope was expressed that this conference would settle the mooted publishing house case. The election of two new bishops was asked.
 Immediately after the reading of the address Bishop Candler of Georgia read a letter from Senator A. O. Bacon and A. S. Clay which he had received ill reply to a letter relative to the course which should be pursued by the Methodist church in regard to the money which was paid under act of Congress in settlement of the war claim of the publishing house. This letter was signed by eight. The clause reads as follows:
 "The report of the committee and the resolution both adopted by the Senate in explicit terms generates the church from all blame or ground for criticism for any thing which occurred in connection wl1h the passage of the bill and Is a clear | expression of opinion that there Is no | obligation on the part of the church to | pay the money to the government of to make further offer to do so.'
 l The conference adjourned until o'clock | tomorrow.