The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-05-16
NINE BISHOPS
FOR METHODISTS
Five Superannuated and
Four to Be Added.
DR.. BUCKEYES SAD DUTY
Question of Removing Aged Men Marks
a Dramatic Moment in Los
Angeles Conference.
DR.. BUCKEYES SAD DUTY

LOS ANGELES Cal. May 1.-THE
action of the Methodist general confer
ence in retiring five Of its aged bishops
has been the most dramatic feature of
the great gathering thus far. The five
venerable leaders are Bishop Edward G.
Andrews, of New York; Bishop John NJ.
Walden, OF Cineinnati; Bishop John H.
Vincent, of Zurich, Switzerland; Bishop
Willard F. Mallalieu. Of Boston. and
Bishop Cyrus ID. Toss. Of Philadelphia.
The effect of this unexpected action
viii be that the conference will be called
upon to elect a greater number of new
bishops than was expected when the
body began its labors. and there will
consequently be much rivalry for the
new places and many new candidates.
Just how many bishops viii be elected
is matter which a subcommittee of the
committee on episcopacy is trying to
settle. 1t is now practically certain that
six TO eight new bishops Will be chosen
for America, and at least three new mis-
sionaIy bishops.
There is only conjecture as to who
these new bishops Will be-
A Dramatic Incident.
the conference when Dr. Buckley insist
ed on a vote on the report Of the COM
mittee on episcopacy. Just as everybody
thought the conference was about to ad-
jOurn for the day DR.. Buckley made his
way to the platform amid intense ST.
lence. Facing the assembly, he paused a
moment and said slowly and impressive
ly:
"A man in my position at this mo-
ment is TO be pitied, but am only doing
my duty
He then proceeded TO read the report
or the subcommittee OF the committee
on episcOpacy, recommending the retire
ment Of Bishops Walden, Mallalieu, Vim
cent, and Andrews amid the closest
attention. Bishop FOss' name was not
then mentioned. The report said:
THE report of the subcommittee OF
the standing committee on episcopacy
has recommended the placing Of Bisho-
ops Willard +. Mallalieu, John NJ. Valid
en-, John H Vincent and Edward G.
Andrews on the superannuated list Be
fore taking action or engagig in discus
sion a committee was appointed to con-
fer with those bishops and to invite
them 10 communicate their views in per-
son to the committee. This they did
at such length and in such manner as
they thought best.
Bishop Foss' Case.
During the discussion which sub
sequently ensued the condition and pros
poets Of Bishop Cyrus d. Foss were
taken into consideration. and the com
mittee took a tentative vote upon hil
retirement, and invited him TO specia
session held for the purpose. he ap
Feared and made the communication re
quested.
The committee, after four hours o.
consideration, in which more than fifty
OF the members took part. giving IN
formation from all parts of the work a
home and abroad. proceeded 10 vote b,
ballot upon the question OF effectiveness
Of the bishops whose names are mden
toned IN this report. The result wal
that the committee recommended tina
they be placed upon a superannuateC
list, to take effect at the close of tai
general conference. and instructed tn
chairman to move that they be so classi
fed.
Upon the conclusion OF the reading
Of the report DR. Buckley asked for i'm
medats action by the conference, ant
ment.
His Address interrupted.
In the middle OF it he was interrupted
by Bishop Foss. who asked whether tn
conference would grant him permission
10 put a question privately 10 Dr. Buck
ley There were cries from the floor o
Let II be granted- BiShop ross ros
from his chair on the stage and cane L
the edge of the platform. The whit
haired bishop and DR.. Buckley stoc'
ard whispered together, while the grea
assembly watched in absolute silence
Bishop Foss turned, walked slowly bacl
and resumed his seat. DR.. Buckle,
turned and faced the conference
Il feel" he said. that il is entirel
within the bounds OF propTiety that
should state 70 the conference the ques
ton Bishop Foss asked me and the an
swer ] gave. He asked me whether
legal vote on his retirement had bee
taken in the committee after he had ap
peared before that body and spoken i
response 20 its Invitation. ] replied il
the affirmative. After Bishop FOss ha
departed from the committee lega
vote was taken. and by a majority o
the I6i members present and voting
was decided TO continue his name
The conference then proceeded 20 vote
ano when the ballots had been co.,ccLe
and rlaced IN the hands Of the secre
tary Bishop McCabe declared the session
adjourned for the day.
II was authOritatively but not Ofiiciall
given out that Bishop f'Oss had been 70
tired by a large ma jority.
MEMORIAL cERVIcES: