The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-05-17
METHODIST BISHOPS DO
NOT YET KNOW THEIR FATE
Secret Ballot on Retirement Has
Not Been Given Out in the
Conference.
NO CHANGE IN TIME, LIMIT

Los ANGELES. CAL. May 1s.-Contrary
to expectations, the result of the secret bal
lot taken last Saturday by the Methodist
General Conference the subject of the
retirement Of Bishops Andrews. Mallalieu,
Vincent, Walden and Foss was not made
public at to-day's session OF the conference.
Instead the result was ordered TO be
nounced by publication in tomorrow morn
ing's issue of the Christian Advocate. the
official organ of the conference. There is no
doubt, however, according to the most re-
liable authority, that all of the five bishops
have been retired by the vote OF an over
whelming majority Of the delegates
In reference to the report that the Meth
odist ministers of Philadelphia had pro-
tested against the retirement OF Bishop
Foss, an authority high in the councils OF
the present conference stated that such pro-
test could not be considered, as the rules OF
the conference did not permit of a reconsid-
GRAFTON of the vote on the matter.
Bishop Foss would not discuss the matter.
There is no doubt, however,, he stated.
"'about my retirement The vote of the
conference last Saturday was 500 In favor OK
my being placed on the superannuated list"
In connection with the retirement of the
five bishops the conference this morning
passed resolution presented by DR.. @.
II. Forbes. OF Minneapolis. providing for
six months full pay for the bishops from
the date of their retirement. The regular
annual salary OF an active bishop in the
Methodist Church Is 5000. and each re-
tired bishop receives $500 year during
his life term.
The amusement question also came up
for further discussion at this mornings
session. DIR. Elliott. of Detroit. presented
a resolution setting forth that there was
no doubt in the minds OF many OF the dele
gates as to the constitutionality OF Para
graph 258 of the Discipline, and asking that
the matter be referred to the judiciary
committee for report on the subject. Aft
er much debate, in which the charge of un-
constitutionality against the amusement
clause was characterized by DIR. J. NJ
Buckley, Judge c. Il. Lincoln, OF New York,
and others as an attempt to sdetrack the
question to avoid direct vote on Its
merits, the resolution was voted down.
After the consideration of the report OF
the Epworth League committee and other
matters of minor Importance, the conven-
ton adjourned.
There is no dearth of candidates for
bishopric honors. Probably fifteen names
are being discussed I'm connection with the
position Most prominent OF these are the
rotary of the board OF education; DIR. ]. r.
Peary, editor of Epworth Herald; Dr.
Henry Spellminer, OF Newark; DIR. ]. r.
DIR. ]. w. Bashford. president OF the Ohio
Wesleyan seminary; DIR. III. G. Jennings,
agent of the Western Book Concern; DIR.
George Il. Eckman, OF New York, and j.
w T.. Bowen, the colored educator. OF At
lanta, Ga
A constitutional provision is limited at
WHICH may prevent the eleCtlpn Oh a Coi-
ored bishop. The colored delegates. how
ever supported by a goodly following OF
white delegates, are making a vigorous
campaign for the election OF DIR. Bowen.
and il seems Sikely that ne will be chosen.
The committee on itlneracy by a vote or
60 TO 80 this afternoon decided against
recommending any change In the pastoral
time limit and the committee report viii
be presented TO the conference tomorrow
morning. minority report. which viii
be submitted as amendment TO the ma
jority report. viii recommend the restora-
ton of the fve-year limit with a special
proviso for exceptional cases. in which a
bishop may be appointed for longer term
with the consent and approval OF five other
bishops.
In the revision committee this afternoon
an effort was made TO abrogate certain
rules relating TO the personal conduct OF
ministerial and lay members. which rules
were originally promulgated by John Wes-
| ley and have been part OF the church dis
| cipline ever since. II was urged that the
| church had outgrown these rules and that
| they would not apply 20 modern times.
| The proposition was voted down on the
| ground that they should be retained for
| the proper guidance Of and good example
! for unchristianized people.