The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1894-06-13

the persons who become actually entitled
to vote at the first meeting aud to such
other male persons of full age as have,
during the previous six months, been
stated worshippers in the said church
and stated contributors to it's support,
and have signed the written declaration
deferred to in section four.
Proposed amendmnt emitting the word
male"
Sect Sat all subsequent meetings,
the right of voting shall be confined to
the persons who become actually en-
titled to vote at the first meeting, and
to such other persons of full age as have,
during the previous six months, been
stated worshippers in the said church
and stated contributors to its support,
and have signed the written declaration
referred to in section four.
ton of his side of the case. He was in
favor of the proposed amendment for sew
eral reasons. One was that many wom-
en- who are Stated contributors" are en-
tirely without representation. He did
not propose to ask the convention to go
any further at that time than just to
give the right of suffrage in parish meet
ings to the women. He reminded the
convention that the women are the best
workers, and when he sat down it was
plain that he had at once aroused a
strong opposition and made some valua-
BILE converts.
Mr.. Wash burn followed, strongly fav-
oring Mr.. Fosters motion. He was, how
ever, ready to go much farther, and to
give the godly women of the denomina-
ton the right to hold office in the parish
as well as to vote for mem bers of the
vestry. 1T is said that the women are
not asking to be allowed to vote hon
or them for it. 1t should be offered to
them as right.
Hon. S. W. Lane said that if the women
were to be taken out OF the Episcopal
church there would be but little left.
Rev.J. S. Cotton asked if the legal age
should be IS or 81. "That would be a
delicate question:" said delegate amid
general laughter.
Rev. George B. Nicols and Hon. Henry
Ingalls, agreed with DR.. Foster, and the
venerable James Bridge of Augusta,
spoke briefly and impressively: 1.-THE
men are too much employed about their
affairs, and probably always will be. Let
us try to see what the women will do. "
Rev. A. W. Snyder said he had list of
ten women in his parish who are large
ntributors, and yet who are without
representation.
Rev. L. B. Fowler of Dexter was willing
to allow widows and unmarried women
to vote in parish meetings, but would not
extend the right of suffrage to married
women. 1t would not do to let the hus-
band and wife both have the right to
vote
Then | move to give the vote to the
wife," said Rev. Us. Moody.
Several other clergymen spoke in rapid
su ccession, some favoring, others oppo-
sing, and now and then one wanting
more information. DR.. Foster more than
once expressed willingness to accept
an amendment striking out the disquali-
tying clause, and giving to the women
of the church the right to hold Office.
Very Rev.. DR. Stills made strong
speech in opposition to the proposed
change. He was not in favor of the
church in this diocese giving to women
suffrage in parish matters, when the
right was denied them by the laws Of
the State in municipal and state cleo
tions. He did not believe that the WON
en- who are the most useful in the arisE
would vote. 1t seemed to him that the
adoption of the resolution would intro
duce most dangerous element into the
church. shall take great pleasure IL
voting against it," said Dean Stills il
| conclusion.
Let US say, as General Butler did
when he was asked to favor woman
suffrage in Massachusetts, Very we'll
ask the women if they want to vote.
"We haven't done that yet," said Rev.
Mr.. Winkley of Saco.
Rev. CT. Sweet oflPresque Isle said
| The men are naturally shirks, and are
willing to let the women do all tn,
| work" ~
The discussion was suspended pending
the reading of the annual address by
Bishop Nicely, on motion Of Rev. C. T.
Ogden of Deering.
| Bishop Nicely then read his annua
address, Before starting in on the re
view of the work of the denomination il
this State, he touched on the genera
work in other dioceses.
Even the general confusion and depress
ion in the business world, has wor ket
for good. The thoughts of men hav
been turned to eternal things, and the,
have been more ready to listen to tn
demands of Christ.
The Bishop spoke of the fact that tn
population of Maine increases SLOWLY
and there are many removals of com
municants to other dioceses. In this wa,
while there is no loss to the depomina
tion at large, there is not the increase i,
this State that might be desired. H,
then paid high tribute to the thre
bishops who died during the year, Bishor
Lyman of North Carolina, Bishop Pad
dock, and the former missionary bishop
DR.. Southgate
Reference was then made to the new
bishops of the denomination. in tn
conservation of two Dr T % uropoa b;,L ..