The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-04-19
METHODIST POLITICS.

Problems the General Conference Must De-
cide-Tsmperance aud the Woman Question.
Philadelphia Record
Philadelphia Methodists are prickiue M their
ears at the talk of the possibility OF the intro
dnction of national politics in the General
Conference.-The great governing body of the
church-which will meet in New York city
early next month, and are beginning TO specu-
late seriously 20 what position, 10 such
event. the six ministerial and two lay delegates
from this conference will occupy. The temper
ance question has always occupied the attention
of the General Conference in its quadrennial
sessions. but it has newer assumed so impartant
ana widespread an Importance as now when In
so many of the States. in Pennsylvania, the
question of high license and prohibition 10 so
conspicuous. But the possible question OF the
Endorsement of third political party In the
temperance fight is new one. and grows out OF
the agitation of that question in the New York
East Conference. where such DISTINGUISHED
delegates elect to the General Conferenco
as DR. Buckley the brilliant editor of the
Christian Advocate. and DIR. Goodseil. promis-
ing candidate for the episcopaey. with all of the
other delegates are pledged TO the third party
scheme, proposed by the Temperance Alliance
in New York. which wants the General Confer
ence to step into the political arena and give the
tremendous force of the endorsements OF the
Methodist Church 20 the prohibition movement
distinct political party issue in this country.
Gen. Clinton B. Fisk, who is delegate elect to
the General Conference, is one OF the chief sup
porters of this movement, and he 10 looking for
some support from Philadelphia as all of the
six ministerial and one of the lay delegates are
with the new party movement The Pniladsl.
phia ministerial delegates Revs. Il. B. Nicely,
William Swindells S. w. Thomas, G. j. Little
W. J. Paxson and j. F. Crouch. Ex-Governor
Pattison is lay delegate elected 60 represent
one of the India conferences, while the Phil
adelphia Conference lay delegates ex-Con-
gressmen j. B. Storm aud Jas. Gillender.
One of the most prominent of the Philadel-
phia Conference elegates says that the Phila-
delphia delegates would not favor the third
party scheme il it should be presented. The
General Conferences" said he, sswl not, in my
opinion, favor such thing if IL shall be brought
MP. The General Conference has always been
very pronounced IN it's declarations upon the
subject of temperance. but it never has. and
will not now, give its approval TO political
party outside of the church and responsible to
no for it's acts but it's self Reconstructed lead
ers. The conference will not be timid on the
temperance question, bot will not indorse po-
litical party scheme and think that can say.
although without consultation with them that
the other Philadelphia delegates will ndorse this
view" Several of the other delegates agreed
with this statement when interviewed Saturday
upon the subject.
!. A prominent Methodist layman who was asked
about the position Of the laymen upon the ques-
ton of the endorsements of a taird party scheme,
said:
That will do, and the General Conference
would not dare to take such step. Indeed the ques
great figure in the conference proceedings the
81 sns 9 to
This IS The first time women have been elected to the
General Conference, and there win be strong fight
The Philadelphia delegation will DO divided
upon this question. The General Conference
has passed resolutions which appear to bear
upon this subject, and upon their face appear to
settle the law in favor of the women. The most
direct of these was a resolution passed in 1872.
follows:
Resolved, That in all matters connected with the
election of lay delegates the word sslaymen' must
be understood TO include all members of the church
who are not members of the annual conferences.
Now, women are members of tho church.
but only ministers members of the, annual
conference 1t seems upon the surface that
women may be lay delegates. But said Q
delegate from this city. 1T must be horne in
mind that this resolution is to be interpreted
not literally but in connection with the circum-
stances surrounding its adoption. AS matter
of fact the resolution was intended and under
stood at the time to refer not TO women but to
local preachers who were not members of the
annual conferences. and who, although minis-
ters, by this resolution declared to be eligi-
BILE 10 election as Law delegates, but not as min
isteral delegates. The women were not thought
Of and this resolution had reference to
Them
1t 10 evident that the woman question Is likely
TO attract good deal of attention at the General
Conference, but more than half the Philadel-
phia delegation will be in favor OF their admis-
sion. The lay delegates instructed TO vote
for the admission of the woman delegates.