Arizona republican., 1904-05-18
New Openings for Ambitious
 M. E. ChurChmen
A SPIRITED DEBATE
In Which Charge of hisrepresenta- tion Was Made in the General Con- ference - The Vote by Which Six Bishops Became Back Numbers.

Methodist general conference today took up the report of the Judiciary committee on the question of district ing the bishops and a heated dabate ensued. Dr. Buckley charged pr. Nee ly with misrepresenting the statements of Bishop Harris upon the general su- perintendency Of bishops. Other prom inent speakers were Senators McClel- Ian. of New York; Dr. I. J. Cook, of Chattanooga, Tenn; Dr.. Beeler, of New York, and Dr. Chas. W. Fish, chairman of the judiciary committee. The debate was still on at recess and probably will take up the entire time of the evening session.
 The judiciary committee, which was appointed last week for the especial purpose of passing upon the constitu- tionality of questions that might arise | at this conference has had under con | sideration for several days a resolu- | tion referred to it by the general con- | ference as 10 the conStitutionality Of assigning general superintendents ito particular sections or districts, for pe- riods of four years, with the possibility of continuing the said general super intendents in said districts for longer periods"
 In a lengthy and argumentative re- port the judiciary committee recom- mended no change in the present plan | of episcopacy. For this report, Dr. Nicely. offered a very brief substitute. as follows: Resolved, that as to the assignment of general superintendents in the United States for a quadrenni- um, there is nothing in the constitution | of the church to prevent it, as it is purely a matter of expediency Dr. Nicely spoke ten minutes to this -resolu- | tion, and there was an effort made by several of the delegates to have his ! time extended for half an hour, but l Bishop Moore. the presiding officer, ruled against the extension. pr. Nee 1 ly was repeatedly applauded, notwith- standing that Bishop Moore had sev- eral times stated that the rules ab- solutely prohibited any demonstration by the delegates.
 pr. Buckley replied to Dr. Neely opening with the observa ton that Hong experience has convinced me that the more vociferous the applause the less the thinking" He then pre- | ceeded to combat Dr. Neely's argu- 1 ment quoting from proceedings of for | mer conferences to show that pr. Nee | ly had failed to effect a change in this rule e,aithough he began his fight against it in 1884. "Dr. Nicely has totally mis- represented Bishop Harris in this mat ter" he said.
 MT. Chairman" said Dr. Nicely, II rise to a point of personal privilege"
 Does the doctor object to totally misrepresented?" asked pr. Buckley.
 T do,'' replied Dr. Nicely.
 Very well, then." said Dr. Buckley. 'I withdraw it, and will say that any one who construes the language of Bishop Harris in this matter as Dr. Nicely has, is in error"
 Dr. Neely insisted that he had a right to clear up any charges of misrepre- sentation and was given the privilege of explaining. He then read a para graph from Bishop Harris opinion and said: T will not permit any. man 10 say I am not absolutely suare in any thing I say or do.''
 No sooner had Dr. Nicely taken his seat than Dr. Buckley reaffirmed his statement that the paragraph read by Dr. Nicely wholly misrepresented Bis hop Harris in the matter.
 pr. Nicely was. on his feet instantly and said: Does the doctor deny the quotation I have. just read?"
 No, sir replied pr. Buckley, but can show by the words of the bible that a man ought to commit suicide" land he proceeded to read at length quo- tations from Bishop Harris on this matter"
 The report of the judiciary commit tee was adoDted just before noon, but an extension of time was granted to pr. Buckley in order that he might present a report from the episcopacy committee on the subject of the number of new bishops to be selected by the conference. The resolution submitted by the episcopacy committee is as fol- lows: Resolved, that in view of the deaths of two bishops and the retire ment of six, eight new bishops shall be elected
 pr. Shell moved an amendment read ing: "Six new bishops shall be se- lected." but it was promptly tabled
 Dr. Buckley then stated that a large number of the members in the com mittee had favored six, but still larger number wanted eight.
 The committee asked the board Of bishops to give their opinion on the number of new bishops and they had favored seven. He had, however, care fully considered the matter, taking in to account the ages and condition of the present members of the board of bishops and had concluded that it would not be well to overwork any member of the board and therefore he had favored the eight, which was the recommendation of the committee. The report of the committee was adopted by the conference and the balloting will hoccur tomorrow morning.
 The vote by which the conference last Saturday retired six bishops will be , made public tomorrow. It is as fol- } lows: Andrews, 5S5; Vincent, 5S5; Walden, 573; Mallalieu, 515; Foss, 5OO Total vote cast, 663.