Evening journal., 1914-04-02
advocate NEW
PLAN TO APPEAL
FROM bishops
MethodiStS in Conference at
Berlin Adopt Proposed
Amendment After Debate
BISHOP CBANSTON against
BUILDING OF BATTLESHIPS
By a staff Commencement.

BY a Stan Correspondent.
BERLIN. Md, April 2.-Todays
session of the Wilmington Methodist
Episcopal Conference had a brisk dis
cussion over a proposed amendment
60 the Discipline. or Constitution, of
che Church, providing for appeals
from the rulings of bishops as presid-
ing officers Of the General Conference
when such presiding officers raise
questions of order or of law. One
object of the proposed amendment
IS TO require the Board OF Bishops
10 present in writing to the General
Conference their decision on ques-
tions Of law, so that their ruling may
be challenged In open session of Gen
eral Conference. A two-thirds vote
would be necessary TO overrule the
decision of the Board of Bishops on
a question OF law. The Wilmington
Conference today adopted a proposed
amendment to the Discipline regard
ing such appeals. but it will have to
be ratified by the General Conference
before IL can become church law.
The step taken today was character
1zed by the Rev DR.. George Edward
Reed, Of Wilmington, as "progres-
sive legislation" which he advocated.
Proposed Amendment.
The Rev. G. A. Cooke, Of Tangier,
Wa., who presented the amendment
last year, called it up early In the
session and spoke at length upon the
subject, urging that the Conference
should adopt the amendment. He
gave a long explanation OF its pro-
visions, utilizing the full fifteen min
utes allotted him to speak. His pro-
posed amendment was as follows;
Amend article 6, paragraph AZ,
section 3, 30 it shall read The pre-
siding officer of the General Confer
ence shall decide questions Of order
subject TO an appeal to the General
Conference. If the decision Of the
chair Is sustained by a majority of
those present and voting his decision
shall stand. The presiding officer
OF the day or any other General
EEperinlendont may raise The ques-
tion OF law in regard % any proposed
i Legislation. When objection has thus
been entered the entire Board Of Gen
eral Superintendents shall take the
matter under advisement and shall
report their decision as soon as pos
sihie and their reasons for the deci-
sion. Their report shall be in writ
ing and shall be printed in the jour
nal OF the General Conference ANY
member Of the General Conference
may raise the question OF law and II
he is sustained by one-third Of the
delegates present au0 voting the Gen
eial Superintendent shall be required
10 submit their decision in writing 10
the General Conference. When a
decision Of the General Superinten-
dents has been given their decision
may be challenged, but il shall re-
quire two-thirds Of those present and
voting 10 prevail over their deci-
sion"
add to the section to be known as
section 4, as follows: Section 4. When
any rule or regulation is adopted by the
General Conference which in the opin.
Son of the bishops is unconstitutional
the bishops may present the conference
which passed such rule OF regulation
their objections thereto, with their rea,
sons, in writing, and if then the General
Conference shall by a two-thirds vote
yeaffirm its action on said rule or regu
lation, il shall then take the cours,
prescribed for the allotting Of a re
Etrictive rule and if thus passed upoI
atfirmatively by two-thirds of all chs
members of the several annual confer
ences present and voting and two
thirds of all the members Of the lay
electoral conference present and voting
the bishops shall announce that sale
rule or regulation takes effect from tha
time"
The Rev. V. S. Collins. of Whining
ton, made a strong address in opposition
to Mr.. Cookies amendment, comparin.
che bishop to Judge of the Suprem
Court. who should have absolute au
thority.
DI. Collins Substitute.
He offered p substitute for the Rev
Cookies amendment, as follows;
"Amend the book of discipline, para
graph No. ~. as follows: Strike out al
Of section 3 and insert in lieu thereo
the following: Section 3. The presid
ing officer of the General Conferenc
shall decide questions of order and o
law. subject TO an appeal as follows'
81. In questions Of order, an appea
e. the General Conference, and if tn
chair be sustained by a majority o
those present and voting the decisio
shall stand.
80. In questions Of law, an appea
20 the Board of Bishops, to be take
ss follows"
tThe balance Is the same as Nj
Cookies amendment beginning at word
'the presiding officer of the day OF an
other general superintendent"
District Superintendent Robel
Watt spoke at length. urging tn
Continued on Page Two)