New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-05-05
PRICE THREE CENTS
RIGHTS OF WOMEN URGED.
THE DEBATE IN THE CONFERENCE.
THE CONSERVATIVES HOLD THEIR FORCES
WELL IN HAND.
TRYING IN VAIN TO CLOSE THE DEBATE ON MONDAY
NooN-LAY DELEGATES COME TO THE FRONT
FOR THE FIRST TIME-INsIsTfNG THAT

THE ANNUAL CONFERENCES.

THE ANNUAL CONFERENCES.
After the vigorous demonstration made IN be>
half Of the women Of the Methodist Conference on
Thursday, the conservative element apparently
felt called upon to gather their forces more caro-
fully for yesterdays deliberations. Their speakers
were on the alert in all parts Of the house to
claim the floor when an opportunity presented
itself, and If they did not always receive the
recognition Of the chairman, it was not from any
lack Of effort. The discussion, without resulting
in any actual settlement on either side, was car
ried forward more equally than on the previous
day. The same ground was fought over and the
advocates for the admission of women to the
General Conference showed quite as much zeal
as in the controversy Of the previous day and even
more aggressivcness
The number of speakers in support Of each side
of the issue was the same; but the advantages
gained by either side were tempered by the intro
duction of a new feature in the discussion which
was sustained by the same array of strength
This q kind Of compromise which was pre4
sented by DR.. Nicely, of Philadelphia in an amend-
ment to submit the whole question of the eligi.
blity of women as delegates to the General Con4
ference to the Annual Conferences Of the Church.
and let the approval or disapproval come from
them to the Conference. The proposition,
whether or not it met with the favor Of the more
conservative members, was not opposed by them
While it did not cali out any pronounced attack
from those who argued in favor of the admission
Of women and was regarded by them o partial
concession to their views it did not meet with
their approval The supporters Of the women
F. delegates recognize that they have the popular
side OF the controversy they are inclined to regard
anything that looks Like concession with passing
approval, but they maintain that no concession
can be accepted oy them that does not recsgnizs
the claims Of the five who have hes4
elected to seats in the present Conference.
DR.. Neely had been classcd with them. His
presentation of this new measure, which was sea.
onded and supported by the Rev, DIR. Graham, al
the Troy Conference was evidently a surprise.
snd diverted somewhat from the force Of theiR
own attack. Alden Speare, prominent Lay dele
gate Of the New-England Conference, announced
himself in favor of the admission Of women, but
urged that the measure should receive the sanc.
ton of the Annual Conferences first. Then the
Rev. Dr. Frank X. Bristol, the young pastor Of
Trinity Methodist Church Of Chicago and from
the district which elected Miss Willard, in .
graceful and effective speech happily presented
the same view, and its influence, which was only
partially Offset by President Louis r. Fislse Of
Albion College, Michigan, who argued for the adj
mission of the women, when the time for adjourn%
ment arrived
The lay delegation took for the first time a
prominent part in the debate. General Samuel F.
Hurst Of Ohio, brother Of Bishop Hurst, gave
an effective and humorous review of the objec.
tions which are brought against the admission Of
women General Hurst, who Is an eloquent
talker and an active temperance worker in hii
State, as well strong opponent Of the extreme
prohibition views of the Rev. DR.. Leonard, found
- IL.
ter Dr. Lconards remarks were the most ag.
gressive during the session. lie began with an at
tack and ridicue of the arguments of Dr. Buckley
on Thursday, and turned from this to comment
freely on the position taken by the bishops in
their address, which he defined as subtle effort,
and calculated to form precedent in the direction
of the Conference which the bishops have not been
accorded as body. DR.. James II. Day. formerly
pastor of st. Paufs Church, in this city, made q
strong argument against the admission of the won-
en- as delegates, and drew more vivid picture ap-
parently than he had intended on the evils which
would follow the admission OF German, Scandi-
navlan and colored women in the capacity of lay
delegates. The ineligibility Of women was main.
tanned by Dr. John Miley, of New-York, and the
German view from the same standpoint was pre-
sented by the Rev. DR.. Rottowieler, of Cincinnati
Leslie NJ. Shaw, a lay delegate and lawyer from
Des Mones, took up the argument vigorously for
the women and in opposition to the Episcopal
opinion, after stating that the Methodist Church
did not receive its opinion ex-cathedra.
The attempt which was finally made to limit the
debate to Monday noon, on the motion of Governor
Lomesbury, of Connecticut, brought up only con-
6icting series of motions and counter-motons
which had the effect of adding zest and variety to
the days proceedings and indicated that the Con-
ference was not yet ready TO bring the discussion
to positive issue.