Morning journal and courier., 1888-05-10
THE mETHoD1sT oorEERENoE.
A Scheme Proposed to Settle the wo-
 man question.

A Scheme Proposed to Settle the Wo- man question. NEW YORK, May 9.-Bishop W. F. Malla- lieu, of New Orleans, opened the general Methodist Episcopal conference this morn ing. A commission appointed four years ago offered report. This commission was ap- pointed to devise plans of regarding the ad- mission of lay delegates and modify the rules that then existed. By vote the report of the commission will be made the order of the day for Wednesday. Committees were appointed to consider the temperance ques- tion and liquor traffic. W. H. Wilder of the Illinois conference presented the follow ing resolutions
 Whereas this general conference voted to submit to the annual conference the proposition to so men eligible as lay delegates in this body, and
 Whereas the will of our people should be heard upon so important 0 matter, therefore
 Resolved. That during the months of October and November, 1890, on any day except the Sabbath, charge. who shall give at least 20 days notice thereof, there shall be general election in the pal churches at which all members in full connec- tion and not under 21 years of age shall be invited amendment. Said election shall be held under the direction of the preacher in charge and two laymen the etais of the election and within 10 days thereafter shall report the result of the cleo report T the same to the presiding bishop of the en- szing annual conference to be entered upon the conference journal.
 This motion was laid over and according to the rules will be printed and come up for debate again. The following resolution was offered by Rev. E. J. Gray of central Penn sylvania:
 HWhereas, There is a widespread and growing conviction among our preachers and people that the efficiency of the Episcopacy would be greatly in- creased by the assignment of each bishop to pre- scribed territory for period of years; and,
 Whereas, The general supervision of the whole work by the bishops seyerally is practically inn
 Resolved, That a committee of fifteen to be styled pointed thirteen of Whom shaf be selected by y the delegates representing the general conference dis
 Resolved, That the committee shall consider and report on or before the 18th of May upon the advis ability of dividing the territory occupied by the M are effective bishops at the close of tue general ference, said districts to be composed in far
 Resolved, That when such districts are formed the bishops be instructed to arrange their work same district and the same conferences during the period of fsur years.
 tee the third restrictive rule and the formation of Episcopal districts are in legal antagonism they shall report plan for changing the third restrictive rule which if adopted by two-thirds of the general confererenoe shall be submitted by the bishops to the first ensuing annual conference, and three and voting concurring in said plan 1t shall take effect Immediately and De a law of the Metho- dist Episcopal church.
 The resolution was referred to tbe commit tee on episcopacy. The names of the signers of Dr. Gray's resolution are Dr. H. H. Moore, Rev. Dr. L. 0. Quial, G. W. Cue, J. c. W. Coxe, 0. N. Sims, W. H. Hunter, A.B. Leon ard, W. A. Stephens, John F. Spencer and William Swindells. Adjourned.