The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-19
MethOdists Take Two Ballots
 al Los Angeles
NEGRO RECEIVES 242 VOTES
Charge of Heresy Recurs and the De bate Before the Conference Takes on a Bitter
 Ione.

Los Angeles Cal, May ls.-The Metho-
 dist general conference today voted for
 eight bishops but elected only one J.
 F. Berry, editor of the Epworth Herald.
 who received more than two-thirds of the
 entire vote cast on the first ballot. One
 other ballot was taken but the result of this will not be known until morning One hundred and seventy received votes on the first ballot. Those having more than fifty are as follows.
 J. F. Berry 5s1. Henry Spelmeyer 479. W. F. McDowell 429 J. w. Bashford ses, Thomas B. Neely 326. J. R. Day 270. R. J. Cook 26s, J. W. E. Bowen 242. II. C. Jen- nings IFS, l.. B. Wilson 123, G. P. Eek man 166. G. H. Booktel 116, D. W. Smith l25, w. A. Quayle 10S F. F. Bovard 93, A. B. Leonard 76. w. F. Crawford 74, Robert Mcintyre s. M. c. B. Mason 6s, c. M. Taylor 7s E. F. Downey 5S, J. F. Boucher 6s. Total vote cast TAI. of which Il were defective. making the total legal vote cast 730 Necessary to a choice 4S!
 Was Foregone Conclusion.
 It was practically foregone conclusion that Dr. J. F. Berry would be named as one of the eight bishops to be elected. and 1t was no surprise to the delegates when 1t was announced that he had been elected by a decisive majority on the first ballot. Dr. Berry received an ova- ton when the figures were announced, the entire assembly rising and applaud ing him as he was escorted to seat among the bishops on the platform. As
 will be seen, Dr. Henry Shelmeyer failed of election by only eight votes and pr. w. s. Mcdowell by fffty-elght Dr. Bash ford and Dr. Nicely were the next near
 est in the order named, and it Is thought tonight that several of those candidates will be name on the next ballot. Dr. J. NJ Iar Cook of Chattanooga, Tenn, and Dr. J. w Bowen (colored) are the next high est delegates in the order named. Dr. Bowen Is the candidate of the col- ored delegates and 1t Is believed that he will receive their solid support on the l next ballot. While receiving a eonsider- able number of votes from other dele- | gates the opinien was expressed tonight l by more than one delegate that the rep- resentative of the colored men had prob- ably received on the first ballot the high est number of votes that will be cast for | him.
 Second Ballot Taken.
 l The first ballot was taken just before | noon. and the conference did not reas- semble until o'clock, when the result | was announced. second ballot was orr dered and at once proceeded with. Upon retirement of the tellers, the conference l adjourned until 9 o'clock tomorrow 1 The conference today rescinded it's | election to adjourn on Saturday May 2S,
 and fixed Monday, May 30, as the date of l final adjournment. This was done to end l debate over the possibility or a number | of delegates having to leave on Sunday. | The ever recurring charge of heresy is 1 again agitating the delegates. Its latest | appearance Is in the committee on educa- l tion, where 1t has provoked the most acrimonious discussion that has occurred l between the delegates of the present gath l erinR. The outbreak came as result or | the representative of a subcommittee on inc subject of the memorials received by
 the conference relating to the alleged dan gerous doctrines that are being dissemi- mated by some of the theological schools of the church
 Dr. T. w. Munhall of Philadelphia led
 the supporters of the charges of heresy-
 He was combatted by Dr. Charles J. Lit
 tle president of the Garrett Biblical in- stitute, and Prof. Milton s. Terry Of the same institution. After hours Of heateo debate. in which strong charges were
 made against the accused institutions, and as vigorously denied, the matter was finally referred back to the sub-commlttee for a more extended report.