Waterbury evening Democrat., 1888-05-04
Champions for the Far
Women Delegates May Yet
 Enter the Convention.
EDITOR POTTS IN THEIR FAVOR.

The Report Barring Them from the Big
 Meeting of nIethodists Discussed-Editor
 Bulkley, of the Christian Advocate,
 Leads the Opposition.
 NEW YORK, May 4-Discussion of the com mittee report debarring the women who have been accredited as delegates to the Methodist general conference from taking their seats formed the gist of yesterday mornings ses- sion of the conference at the Metropolitan opera house. a
 Bishop Andrews presided. Elder Dear born, of Topeka, Kan, conducted the opening devotional exercises, after which the arrival of Bishop Ninde, of Kansas, who had not come at the opening of the conference, was announced. Dr. Trimble, of Ohio; Dr. Lusk, secretary of the Freeman's Aid society, and Dr. Hunt, secretary of the Bible society, were, upon motion, invited to take seats upon the platform.
 It was stated that one of the woman dele gates had attempted to take her seat, but had been denied admission to the floor. While a standing vote upon Dr. Reads motion for the order of the day was being counted, Mrs. Mary c. Mind, of Minnesota, endeavored to use the right she claims, but her vote was not counted The addresses of the speakers were
  evoked frequent applause.
 The Rev. Dr. J. H. Potts, editor of The Michigan Advocate, spoke first and in favor of the admission of the women delegates. Two-thirds of the church members are women, and they should have a voice in it's govern ment, he maintained. 'I am deaf" he con- cluded, after a glowing tribute to the fair sex, "but would be stricken dumb rather than this tongue of mine should utter one word against the admission of women"
 The applause which greeted the remarks of Dr. Potts was long and vehement. and Rev. William Bush, of Dakota, and Rev. Theodore F. Flood, editor of The Chautau- quan, who followed with earnest arguments on the same side of the question, elicited similar evidences of approval
 The opposition was led yesterday by Dr. J. H. Buckley, editor of The Christian Ad- vocate. He gave as his text, "The enemy cometh in like flood, but I will lift up a standard against him." and maintained that the question was one of principle Dr. Buckley's strong point was a quotation from letter of Senator Edmunds, which stated that no officer of an executive body can decide question relating to the admis- sion of delegates who were challeged, but that the body must decide itself as to the adm1s- sion of such delegates. His own position, he said, was one of opposition to the admission of women as delegates until the members of their sex had an opportunity to express their opinion on the subject. The question was @ grave one in the history of the Methodist church, and the doctor closed with an earnest appeal in favor of the adoption of the con- mittee's report
 The succeeding speakers were Rev. J. A. B. Wilson and Rev. G. w. Hoghey, of St. Louis, in favor of the admission of women; Rev. Dr. A. Wheeler, of Erie, and Rev. Dr.. Luke c. Queal, against such admissions, and finally Rev. J. B. Hamilton, in favor of the fair sex.
 Just before the close of the session Rev. Charles H. Kelley, fraternal delegate from the British Weseylan conference, and Rev. Wesley Guard, fraternal delegate from the Irish Wesleyan conference, were introduced to the delegates, and a motion was carried that committee be appointed to confer with them.
 The afternoon session was held at the Washington Square M. E. church, and was presided over by Bishop Warren. Dr. Hun ter, of Central Isle, conducted the services. The following committees were appointed On itinercy, J. M. Buckley, New York, chair man, L. w. Joyce, secretary; on Book Con- cern, Gen. c. B. Fisk, New Jersey, chairman, A. w. McKenny, secretary. Committees were also appointed on reception of fraternal delegates, Episcopacy, rules..of order, bound aries missions, revivals, church extension temporal economy, Sunday school and tracts state of the church and freedmen's aid work in the soa1th