The daily morning journal and courier., 1904-05-24
CAUSES A SENSATION IN
 GENERAL CONFERENCE
BISHoP-ELECT JAMES R. DAT
 DECLINES HONOR.


 cepted--Also Asks That He be Given
 Permission to Retire from Further Attendance-This Also Granted-De-
 cIares His Action simply One of Con-
 science.
 Los Angeles, Cal, May 23.-The most sensational incident of the Methodist General conference occurred to-day in the resignation of Bishop James R. Day of Syracuse, N. Y. His resignation was accepted by the conference The con- Terence then voted to indefinitely posts pone the election of a successor to Dr. Day on the Episcopal board, and this action was taken to mean that there will be no balloting for an eighth bishl op by this conference, and that the board will remain as at present consti- tuted.
 In resigning Bishop Day asked per- mission of the conference to retire from further attendance. The resignation came as profound surprise to every jone except a few friends with whom Bishop Day had consulted regarding ihis determination, and his statement Which preceded his action was listened to by the delegates and crowded gal leries with intense interest. When Bishop Foss who was presid- ing, asked the conference to near a statement from Bishop-elect Day. as q, matter of personal privilege, the assem- ply appeared to divine that something unusual was about to happen, and i'm mediately granted permission. Dr. Day, who occupied a seat among the bishops on the platform, came to the front of the speakers stand.
 II do not believe," said pr. Day. "that any man in the conference will charge me with disloyalty to mn conscience land to my God. I believe that every one will concede that am actuated by honest motives, and that I am fulfillfng my duty in taking the action am about to take. l wish to make 1t clear Ethat there has been no coercion by the board of trustees of my university, and that material considerations did not in any way enter into this matter. am acting solely on the dictates of my con science, and have arrived at conclll- sion only after two days of earnest and lprayerful consideration, during which time have left my room only for my lneals and did not seek the advice of any of my friends until I had fully made up my mind.''
 Dr. Day then read a formal document, addressed to the General conference, rendering his resignation as bishop Ielect. After thanking the conference for it's patience in hearing his remarks he said, in part:
 When I came to this General con- ference was told by some of my Friends that would voted for and pos- < lsibly elected as member of the Epis- copal board. I determined to keep my |mind open on the subject, and at no Itime reached conclusion as to my duty in the matter until after the third ballot. I then felt at liberty to with draw my name and did so. In spite of this my friends kept my name before the conference and when on Saturday morning a most unhappy incident oc- cured I was astonished to see votes l going to me. I wished then again to make public withdrawal of my name. but was earnestly besought by my friends not to do so.
 T must return to the work of Chris tian education. I do not feel myself called totake up the work of bishop. l I hereby tender my resignation of the office of bishop, and ask the confidence of this General conference"
 There was murmur of surprise among the delegates, which was stilled in moment by the voice of Dr. J. M. Buckley, seeking recognition of the chair. Dr. Buckley began by reading the last paragraph in statement made to the conference by Dr. Day on last Saturday concerning newspaper arti- cle which had to do with an alleged al- tercation between Dr. Day and Profess sor Alexander Haddie, as follows: II stand on those principles to-day. But if did not, after giving you these principles, after having appealed to your kindness and your fairness, I am not capable of permitting you to vote for me for the Episcopal office. I most certainly would not have one by the remotest hint or thought feel that I would use any such incident as this to promote myself to that high office The question was put without debate and was. carried unanimously.
 Dr. Buckley made motion that the conference proceed to ballot for a bishop to take the place of Dr. Day. Dr. Wright moved as substitute that the further election of general su- perintendents be indefinitely post poned.
 This was carried almost unanimously and is taken to mean that there will be no more general superintendents chosen by the present conference.
 Dr. J. R. Day asked the permission of the conference to retire to his home in Syracuse, and this was promptly granted.
 The vote for missionary bishops was announced to-day as follows: For Af- rica, Rev. J. D. Scott; for Asia, Will lliam F. Oldham and John E. Robinson.
 The remainder of the session was taken up with memorials for bishops who have died.