The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-05-08
THE RIGHT OF WOMEN
To SItas Lay Delegates In the General Con-
ference Of the Methodist Church.
A vEXED AND pERplEXiNG QUESTION.
But II Compromise IL Agreed Upon
which Leaves Them En- with u
Seat Tint Is Challenged, That the
Matter May 30 definitely deter
rnined by constitutional Mems.

Cleveland, O.. May 2.-Bishop Foss pre-
sided at the session of to-day's Metho-
dist conference. II was ordered that u
special committee of IL be appointed OH
the work OF deaconesses. The order of
the day was then taken up.
DR.. Dynett presented the report of the
committee on eligibility which provided
Tor compromise of the woman question.
The proposition was In substance to
allow the women delegates TO keep their
seats-on the understanding that IL
should not establish a precedent and
then TO re-submit TO the annual con-
terence during the next four years the
same constitutional amendment or one
similar to that, which lately barely failed
of adoption by the three quarters vote
The report further provided that the ac-
ton of this general conference should be
without any prejudice TO the right of any
women delegates to any further general
conference. under the constitution as
such general conference may construe OF
interpret II.
Rev. DIR. Kynett moved the adoption
of the report and said
1t Is needless to say that there are
questions on which we could not agree
While the debate was progressing, many
from both sides were In free consulta ti0n
Brethren OF both sides thought that
compromise should he made. Neither
party was asked to surrender any OF its
convictions. Neither has surrendered,
and the brethren of the majority want
1t distinctly understood that they have
not surrendered their position. that tho
law of 1872 Includes women. Out of de-
ference to the opinions of those who diff
Tered with the majority, they consented
to the referendum. The women are al
lowed to remain in their seats with the
understanding that their seats are chal-
lenged. The committees was pained 10
hear that the women delegates had been
asked to retire from the conference"
The full report was adopted by an al
most unanimous vote. The announce
ment of the vote was greeted with
prolonged applause.
Dr. Warren. of New England presented
substitute for the report 1t provided
that women duly qualified may be chosen
as lay delegates by an electoral confer
ence, the male members OF which, with
out debate by majority report declare
that women are eligible. provided that,
In no case more than one-haif of the
delegates or reserve delegation shall be
women. The substitute further declared
That the conference deemed II unWise un-
der the circumstances to interfere in any
way with the status of the women who
have been elected in good faith by their
constituents
The Rev. DR.. George P. Names, of Now
YORK. East, said he firmly believed that
the compromise proposed was the most
happy solution of the veXed question He
moved to lay the substitute of DR.. War
rem on the table. 1t was so ordered
DR. Wilson moved that SO much of the
report as referred to the right of the
general conference to sit as u judicial
body be stricken out. Laid on the table
The previous question was ordered
Permission was given the Rev DR.
Buckly TO make the last speech on COM
promise before the vote was taken
Rev. DR.. Buckley sail: 1.-THE situation
Is critical Uuless this matter Is com
promised. long trial of bitter feeling
VIII be left behind know that the
women have u majority OF this body and
the church, but. at the same time, they
Will never get my help to get In | will
vote for this compromise because II leaves
the question open for future settlement
by constitutional means. We have not
given the women the right to come in:
they are already in. The compromise
simply refuses to put them out, but leayes
thom In with a seat that Is challenged.
The names of Judge T. j. Rlandin. of
Cleveland. and ID. s. NJ. Newman of
Washington. were added to the executive
committee. The convention then took
up the discussion of papers
Those or the afternoon session ware
devoted entirely to Southern cities
Mr. Virginius Newton presented a brief
survey of the present municipaI CON
ditlon of the city of Richmond. Va
which he stated was far from satfsfac.
tory
Tonight dinner was given to the de,e-
gates at the Hotel Rennert, over which
Mr.. Charles j. Bonaparte presided.