The St. Louis Republic., 1904-05-18
Methodist General Conference TO
Begin Balloting This
Morning.
iTINERANT FORM MAINTAINED.
Delegates Vote Against Diocesan
Method. After Animated De
bate Between Drs. Nicely
and Buckley.

Los Angeles. CaIv May 1.-THE report
mending that the Methodist General Con-
ference elect eight Bishops to fill the va
cancies caused by death. resignation and
nirm. was adopted.
At the close of a heated and remarkable
debate between Doctor James r. Buck
ley and Doctor Thomas B. Neely. the two
foremost parliamentarians of the Meth
odLSt Church. the conference adopted the
report OF the special judiciary Commit
tee. which finds that the conference has no
executive authority TO district the episco-
pacy-that is. to substitute a diocesan for
the present itinerant form OF the residency
and administration OF Bishops.
Doctor Nicely spoke ten minutes in favor
OF the resolution. and there was an effort
made by several OF the delegates to have
his time extended. but Bishop NovTe the
presiding officer, ruled against extension
Doctor Nicely was repeatedly applauded.
Notwithstanding that Bishop Moore sew
ersl times stated that the rates absolutely
prohibited any demonstration BY the dele
gates.
HEATED DEBATE.
Doctor Buckeley replied TO Doctor NeeIy.
opening with the observation cbat Long
experience has convinced me that the
more vociferous the applause. the less the
thinking
Neeiy's argument. quoting from the pro
ceedlngs or former conferences To snow
that Doc.or Nicely had failed TO effect a
Si,b1se t..h, IN TINS rule; although he began his
Doctor Neely has totally mlsrepresented
biShop Harris In this matter" he said.
Nr; Chairman" said Doctor Neely. 81
rise 10 point of personal privilege
Does the doctor object TO totally Mis-
represented asked Doctor Buckley.
do" replied Doctor Neely
very well. then" said Doctor Buckley.
Il withdraw It. and will say that anyone
VINO conStrues the language OF Bishop
Harris on this matter as Doctor Nicely has
Doctor Neely insisted that he had a right
TO clear up any charges OF misrepresenta-
uon and was given the privilege to ex-
Bishop Harris's opinion aid said: u will
not permit any man to say I am not abso-
lutely square in anything 1 say or do
NO sooner had Doctor Neely taken his
Etatement that the paragraph read nv
Doctor Nicely wholly mIsrepresentet Bish-
op Harris in the matter.
Doctor Nicely was on his feet instantly.
and said: Does the doctor deny the quo
tation l have just read?''
NO. sir replied Doctor Buckley, and
he proceeded TO read at length quotations
from Bishop Harris on this matter.
ELECTION OF BISHOPS.
The election of the eight Bishops will
begin Tomorrow morning. and it is ex-
pected to occupy considerable time. ac-
cording TO the number of ballots cast. be-
fore final result Is reached. Under the
rules of the conference there are no nomi-
nations. the delegates being allowed to
vote for whomsoever they wish. But they
must vote for the fun number of Bishops
to be elected.
The feature OF to-day's session was the
sensational debate between Doctor Buck
ley and Doctor Nicely upon a substitute
offered by the latter for the Judiciary
Committee report OF the constitutionality
OF the redistrlcting of Bishops.