The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1892-05-10
THE OTHER SIDE
or q Question Botherlng the NJ. e.
General Conference.
WHEELING LAY DELEGATE
Writes Entcrtaininsly from Omaha.
Something About tho City-.Qucs.
lions ofImportancc Before the Con.
Acknowledgements in Favor of
Giving tho Laymen More Say in
Church AfTnirs. ~ 49,
peeial cornpondence efMc La.oRlg.nner.

OMAHA, May h-IhlnRins many Oh
your readers might DO interested in the
work Of tho general conference OF tho
Methodist Episcopal church, now in
session hero, | ask little space for
some observations and afew prophecies.
First, lew words about Omaha. We
arc accustomed to think Of Omaha as in
the very far west, where cowboys ride
through the streets shooting people for
past time. Tho fact is, Omaha is about
two.thirds Of the way across this great
continent, has population of 100000
which is remarkable from the fact that
it was only founded in 1866. It has in
creased in population within the past
decade 800 per cent, has twenty banks,
five parks, ninety-thrce miles OF street
railway, sixty-iivo miles OF paved streets,
ninoty-two miles OF sewers, Iii churches,
siXty-two hotels, good, bad and ind fer
ent, mostly OF course oil tho latter class.
They have thirteen trunk lines OF rail-
roads comforting here, but no depot.
They are building large union station,
however. They claim to have the largest
smelling works in the world, rs well MS
tho largest white lead and linsced oil
works. They have water works that
cost seven millions, with capacity oil
cighty-fye million gallons daily. This
is tho third largest packing center in
the United States.
The weather has been beastly since
my arrival. The sun has not shonc an
hour yet. They say it does, however,
get chance sometimes to shine, espec-
tally in the daytime, when there are
no obstructing clouds. Tho weather is
cold and rainy, snow fell yesterday in
the northern part OF the state.
One OF the first thing. that attracted
my attention here was the large num-
Der OF houses for rent, especially bust
ness houses. You will see more "For
Rent" here in walk OF five squares
than you could find in Wheeling in 4
day, and l am told that many, rooms
arc offered for nominal rent, rather
than have them vacant. FL.
the city is situated on the west bank
OF the Missouri river, which is larger
here than tho Ohio ut Wheeling but
scarcely navigable on account OF its ever
shifting bars, but above here is naviga.
BILE for $500 miles.
TIE CONFERENCE.
The meetings Of the conference are
held in the exposition hall, we'll ar
ranged for the purpose. 1t seats $500
people, but will hold nearly twice that
number. A large gallery extends around
three sides, The delegates, numbering
504, are seated in the parquette. The
hall is handsomely decorated with flags
and pictures. Against the wall behind
the stage are large India ink portraits
Of all our,1eading bishops, eighteen in
all, besides that OF John Wesley, which
in the center.
The conference was opened with
Bishop Bowman, OF st. Louis, in the
chair. Tho Bible used was the old
Wesley Bible, with his name on fly
leaf in his own handwriting.
All the bishops are here including
those two heroes, Taylor, OF Africa, and
Thoburn, OF India. Delegates are here
from all over the world. You will see
the swarthy Mexican alongside tho
delegates from South America. Here is
tho Japanese, the Indian, tho italian,
the Dane, the Swede, the German-al-
most all nationalities are here, some OF
them accompanied by Interpreters, as
they are unable to understand the Eng.
lish language. A delegate is here from
Africa, pure negro, black as ebony, of
gigantic stature. Tho conference con-
sumed two days in selecting seats,
which were chosen by lot. The West
Virginia delegates Jared pretty well.
The proposition to sent tho laymen
on one side Of the house and ministers
on tho other met with much opposition,
especially, from the ministerial side.
The laymen claimed that the custom of
seating heretofore was very unfair to
the lay delegates, they number about
one-third OF the conference, were over
Swallowed by the ministers, and had
but little chance to consult or to be
heard. Let dozen men be on the
floor at one time clamoring for recog-
milton, the ministers, being we'll known
to the presiding bishops, had tho adj
vantage. But the proposition, after
hours of struggle, was carried, and the
lay and clerical delegates have each
their own side, and tho lay delegates
propose to be heard. The laymen rs 4
rule are fine looking body OF men, and
in intelligence, will compare very
favorably with their clerical brethren.
THE LAY DELEGATES.
There aro moro business men in the
conference than lawyers, which is un-
usual, but lawyers come next, thon edu.
Gators and bankers. There arc severa |
Of national fame among them. Governor
Evans, OF Colorado, is a prominent fig
ure, also ]. NJ. Gamble, OF Cincinnati;
Mr.. Dc Paurr,the great plato glass man.
ufacturer, of New Albany, Ind. Amos
Shinkle, of Covington; Judge Lawrence,
OF Ohio, and others.
Inc conference was given q reception
on Saturday night by Governor Boyd,
and the mayor and city council OF
Omaha. We surely had "ieast OF
reason, etc" followed by refreshments.
Questions OF tho greatest interest and
importance to the church will como up
for consideration, such rs tho woman
question, which will not down, tho in.
creasing OF number OF lay delegates to
that OF clerical, making the office OF
presiding older elective, removing the
time limit from the pastorate, district
ing the bishops, and many other ques-
tions, all OF which measures have their
champions, who are ready for the con-
flict.
There has been for many years feel
ing in the church, and it is growing,
that the business md professional men
OF, the church should have something
more to do with the financial manage.
nent OF her affairs. The frenerul ron.