Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-05-06
TIE NJ. L. ConRERENcE.
A Sensational Episode Yesterday
The woman Question.
rBy telegraph to the Dispstch.l


NEW YOKK, Nav 5.-This was the 9TH day
OF the General Conference OF the Methodist
Episcopal Church, and Il was presided over
by Bishop Hurst. Devotional exercises were
led by Rev. J. T.. Wilson. OF South Carolina.
The last sound OF the hymn had scarcely
died away when shrill voice sang out :
"May have permission TO speakg" Prayer
was about being offered. All became bushed
aud hundreds OF eyes were turned towards
the first box 10 the right on the second row.
A fine looking, middle-aged lady stood up
In the box and looked straight at the pre-
siding bishop. Two other ladies In the
same box endeayored to restrain her. The
woman refused TO be quiet, and made
strenuous efforts to gain the ear
OF the chairman. The chief usher
came on the scene and tried 10 control the
lady. lie told her that friend wished to
see her In the lobby. "Let me have my
say" she said; " | have no friend here, and
| want to speak on this question OF women's
rights in this conference" The usher, how
ever, succeeded in getting her into the lobby
and the delegates breathed easier. She
walked up Broadway after reaching the
street, vowing she would come back again
before the close OF the session aud make
speech on the woman question. She refused
to give her name. The box she bad at
tempted to speak from Is rented by DR..
GwIndells, Of Philadelphia. The ladies' in
the box did not know who the % crank "
was, aud said that she entered the box with
out being invited.
DR.. Buckley, OF New York. who was shut
of i'm bis SPEECH Yesterday through the ex-
piratIon OF time, was entitled to the hoor
this morning, and continued explaining why
"a Apnf- Of
conference. lie, however, gave up the 1oor
and the Committee on Rules OF Order pre-
sented their report.
General Clinton B. Fiske, OF the New
Jersey delegation, succeeded in gaming the
floor to speak on the amendment TO the re-
port OF the committee on the eligibility OF
women, the subject that has been before the
body for the past two days. In the begin
ming of his address he said. "What God has
Joined together let no man put asunder."
The General took the side OF the women and
said the conference would be improved in
general features by having women take part
in the debates. During the Generals speech
q voice IN one OF the galleries occasionally
shouted "Glory to God" General Fiske Is
the comedian OF the conference and his re-
marks are generally greeted with laughter.
About thirty delegates jumped to their
feet when the chalrman's gavel announced
the eXplrqtion Of time. After several
speeches bad been made on both sides OF the
question Rev. DR.. o. III. Moore, president
OF the Denver University, was recognized.
He said he wanted 10 see women in the con-
ference, but he wanted to see them enter
with proper credentials.
In closing DR.. Moore offered substitute
to all previous substitutes. II was TO the ef-
feet that as eligibility OF women "a lay dele
gates had been challenged on constitutional
grounds, IL WAS OF the utmost importance
that no doubt should exist in regard to the
introduction OF women without giving in
terpretation to the rule OF the Church, and
dlsclalming all intention OF establishing Il
by the action now given. The substitute
further provided that during the month OF
October, 1890, q general election shall be
held IN each church, and that all OF the men,
beis be called upon to vote either for or
against the admission OF women as lay dele
gates. The election shall be held under the
direction OF the preacher, and II il Is deter
mined by this vote to admit women, the Sc
cond restriction rule shall be amended so as
TO read men orw women" Should the maiO-
rity Of the Church be in favor OF the admission
OF women as lay delegates, then the General
Conference IN 1892 can complete the change.
The substitute bore the signatures OF David
II. Moore, Benjamin st. john Frey, and
William swindclle.
Unexpectedly Rev. A. c. PendletOn moved
the previous question. The motion was Sc
conded, and il looked as II the question would
be settled then and there. Considerable eX-
element existed while the vote was being
taken. when the announcement was made
il was discovered that the motion was lost.
The vote stOOd-l32 yeas, 1877 nays. The
debate then proceeded. After some desul-
tory discussion an adjournment was had
mill Monday