St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1896-05-09
AFFAIRS OF THE CHURCH.
Conference mt Cleveland Is Now
Ready to Discuss Them.

CLEVELAND, o., May s.-The Methodist
general conference has now been we'll started
in the consideration of the mass OF imper-
tant business which is before IL. The ex-
citement over the woman delegate question
having passed. the general current Of in
teIest on other matters is becoming more ap-
purpose to make the conduct OF church at
fairs more democratic. That issue was rails
ed today in one form in committee and viii
doubtless be the cause of more than one
hot debate on the floor Of the conference.
The general committee are in session every
afternoon, and today was begun the considera-
tion Of the proposition to increase the num-
Der of bishops. The colored Methodsts
want bishop OF their own and so does
China 1t is proposed also to tighten the
lahors Of the four older bishops who were ap-
pointed in 1872.
The woman question hoped up. again early
in the day like Banquo's ghost and caused
great deal of trouble. both to delegates and
to Bishop Hurst. who presided. Norris
Sharp. OF Ohio. presented a resolution to ex-
cuse the women delegates, in that they have
relnquished their seats and that their ex-
pcASCo pc pdlu u lnc udlc VI lHclI Wilh-
drawal. The resolution also called in their
male reserves. DR.. Neeley. of Philadelphia,
presented a substitute, in which the women
were invited to remain as honored guests Of
the conference and their expenses ordered
paid. DR.. Cranston rose and asked for
ruling by the chair as to the present status
of women in the conference. Bishop Hurst
decided 1t was not point of order, but was
a matter Of Interpretation for the body and
ruled that DR.. Neeley had the floor. There
was much confusion and perhaps the storm-
lest session Of the conference. The chair de-
clined to entertain appeal. but was finally
forced to do so. The decision was sustained
and then both motions withdrawn. The
rest of the business of the session was
routine
The committee constitution is consid-
ering proposed new article OF the constitu-
ton relating to lay delegates the general
intention being to make II sufficiently liberal
to meet the wishes Of the general confer
ence regarding the admission OF women. Rev.
DIR. Moore said tonight the four women dele
gates have decided not to resume their seats
in the conference. though they are probably
entitled to them. He and the other advocates
OF women delegates feel that they have made
slong stride toward their goal in securing
the vote in favor Of the constitutional amend
ment.
Among the meetings Of the standing COM
mittees this afternoon, that of the committee
on episcopacy was probably the most i'm
portant. India protested against the pro-
posed retirement of Bishop Thoburn and the
placing of regular bishop in his stead. On
the other hand, China and Japan asked for
permanent resident bishops, with full episco-
pal authority. The committee will not make
any recommendation until it receives from
the bishops their view of the advisability Of
increasing their number.
The committee on temporal economy de-
cided to submit to the conference PROPOSE
tion curtailing the powers Of ministers,
which will probably be opposed by the latter.
1t is to the effect that hereafter congrega-
tions and not minister's shall choose local
church officers.