The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1896-05-13
A Riot in the Conference.

meeting of the General Conference
of the methodist 1Ep;scopal Church
this morning was exciting. Bishop
Hurst presided.
The Rev. DR. King, of New York,
presented resolution deploring any
State appropriations for sectarian
purposes. The resolutions recited
in strong terms that all denomina'
tons save one had declined to re-
ceive moneys for Indian schools and
demanded that this "copartnership
between Church and the nation be
dissolved at once" "
Dr.. King explained "that the
House of Representatives had de-
clined to further continue the appro-
priations for certain denominational
Indian schools and that the Senate
had insisted on thei- continuance
The matter was now in the hands of
the Conference" Dr. Kings resolu-
ton almost unanimously passed.
Norris Sharp, Of Ohio, opened up
;he woman question by offering a
resolution providing that as the wo-
man delegates elected to this Con-
ference had relinquished their seats,
that their expenses he paid, and that
their male reserves, if any, be called.
The Rev DR. Leonard made a
fervid speech against the passage OF
the resolutions These women it has
been decided, he said, are legal
members of this body and as such
their expenses must be paid without
any resolution. I hope the Confer
ence will vote this resolution down.
Great excitement prevailed, and
many delegates struggled to gel the
floor. An attempt to lay the resolu-
ton on the table was defeated.
The Rev. DIR. Neely, of Philadel-
phia, Pa presented substitute tor
the resolution asking that women
delegates who had claimed the right
of admission to this Conference came
to the floor as visitors and their ex-
penses should be paid by the COM
mittee.
The Rev. DR.. Earle Cranston, of
Colorado, made point of order
against Dr.. Neeley's resolution on
the ground that it stated that the four
wemen claimed admission, when as
matter of fact the question Of this
Conference was upquestioned
Bishop Hurst refused to entertain
the point or order, and DR.. Cranston
appealed to the floor, and the Bishop
decided that he had been sustained
Then followed the greatest excite
ment of the Converence A dozen
men demanded attention aud the
delegates declared that they did not
understand what they were voting
on. The Rev Dr.. William NJ. Fry
singer, of Central Pennsylvania, said
that he had appealed to the floor and
that the appeal had been stated as
having come from Cranston, and
therefore the members had not voted
intelligently. He demanded that his
appeal be put
Bishop Hust refused to let the
Conference act on the appeal, and
amind the utmost confusion DR.. Fry
singer cried out
eff 1can't get justice on this f"or
l will resign.'l He was greeted with
cheers
Bishop Hurst said that Dr.. Neeiy
had the floor TO speak on his resolu.
ton
Dr.. Kynett said that DR.. Neeley
had no right to the floor until DR.
Frysinger's appeal had been put
The Bishop ruled otherwise.
Dr. Kynett, his face flushed with
anger, jumped to the floor and de-
manded that DR.. Neeley resume his
seat and let the House decide wheth
er Dr. Neely had the floor or the ap-
peal be put.
A hundred voices backed Dr..
Kynett and the Chair was compelled
to put the appeal of the Rev. Dr..
Frysinger. The House sustained
the Bishop and DR.. Neely tried to
speak on his resolution.
Dr.. Kynett demanded that both
resolutions be read, and when the
reading had ended Dr.. Cranston made
the point of order that Dr.. Neeley had
changed the wording of his resoia
tion.
DR.. Neeley admitted that he did.
Bishop Hurst said that he must re-
store the wording of the resolutions.
By this time everybody was excited
and dozen angry delegates in all
parts of the house were vainly try
ing to get the floor.
During the confusion both resolu
tons were withdrawn and the Incl.
dent closed.