The Washington times., 1905-10-31
MITCHELL CASE
NOT YET SETTLED
Heresy Decision Held in
Allegiance by Bishops.
VOTE WILL BE VERY CLOSE
Fate Now Depends on Resolution CTys-
tallizing Sentiment of Board Sub
mitted for Ballot.

Ali through the afternoon and up to a
late hour last night the Methodist
bishops, in whose hands rested the fate
of Prof. Hinckley G. Mitchell. of Bos-
ten. in confirming or rejecting his ad-
mission to chair at the Boston Uni
versity, We're in session at the Foundry
Church II was expected that n vote
on Prof. Mitcheirs case would be taken
during the afternoon. but as the day
wore on and the discussion became
more general, 1t was seen that a de-
cision was not likely to be reached at
that time.
Not Ready to Talk.
Late In the evening the board of
bishops decided to give out the following
statement:
We are not at liberty TO give out the
action of the bishops in the Mitchell
case until the action has time to reach
the trustees OF the Boston University.
Nv. z. MALLALIEU, =
ID. J. GOODSELL.''
In view of the fact that at the last
semi-annual conference of the bishops.
held at Louisville. KY. six months ago.
Prof. Mitcheli's nomination was not
confirmed. the impression prevailed that
majority Of the bishops were opposed
TO his confirmation at this time This
fact. 1t Is said. weighed heavily against
his chances OF confirmation at this seS-
sion. as 1t was generally accepted that
the bishops would not reverse theiI
decision made at the Louisville meet
ing.
The intention of the bishops, however,
was TO show Prof. Mitchell q spirit
OF absolute fairness, and this desire
was strengthened when it was made
that his book The World Before Solo,
mon be withdrawn .:c:.: publication.
This book. it is said, had formed the
cbar1 cbfinc1pai sroun1 60 on & Whien tne heresy ne i
and with its removal Prof. Mitchells s
friends in the conference had greater
opportunity to press their claims for
his confirmation
Decisive Resolution.
In the afternoon 1t was decided to
appoint committee consisting of three
members Of the conference 10 draft a
resolution which would crystaIlize the
opinions OF the entire body. and then
vote could be taken ea .hssss .hsssss resolu-
tion- The committee was composed of
Bishops H. w. Warren, OF Denver; r.
b. Neely,s of South America, and Earl
Cranston. OF the District of Columbia.
II was understood that two members
Nicely and Cranston. were opposed to
Prof. Mitcheli's confirmation, while
Bishop Warren was strongly In its
favor. The resolution was drafted and
then reported TO the conference for
reading
No Vote Yet.
On the subject OF the voting all the
bishops were non-commital.
Bishop McCabe vas the first to make
Ills appearance from the conference
room. AS he came out he said: mo
vote yet. boys. / have to go home. ]
left r3y vote in the room. but what ac-
tion they will take finally / cannot say.
The voting is sure to be close, and
which ever way 1t goes 1t will be small
majority"
The reason for delaying the announce
ment of the result OF the action was TO
give the trustees OF the Boston Uniyer-
sity the courtesy OF first hearing the
official vote Of the bishops 1t was
said. however that II the vote had beer
I'm favor of confirmation IL would have
been given out Immediately
The members OF the board held a spe-
cial session last night. and will, IT is
thought. be able to adjourn their meet
ings today on account of the volume OF
work accomplished at the three meet
ings yesterday.
During the afternoon session the as
signments of bishops were made.