The San Francisco call., 1896-05-05
STRUGGLE FOR The SEATS
Women Delegates Have Able
Champions at the Metho-
dist Conference.
All the Arguments as TO Their Ad.
m ssion Will Soon Be Con.
cludsd.

CLEVELAND, OHIO, May 4.-Bishop
Merrill of Chicago called the Methodist
General Conference to order and the morn
ing devotional exercises were led by the
Rev. DR.. Jesse L. Hurlburt, secretary of
the Sunday-school Union.
The Rev. DR.. Muller of Cleveland at
tempted to read series of resolutions on
the subject of war and arbitration, but was
prevented by the chair, who ruled him out
of order.
The Rev. DR.. Henry A. Buchtel of In
dianapolis created great deal OF laughter
by moving that the Bishops address be
read in every Methodist pulpit. The mo-
ton was amended by some wag, who
wanted Bishop Warren to read it in every
Methodist pulpit in the land.
The rules were suspended and DR.. Mul-
Ter was allowed to read his resolution on
arbitration. rhe resolution deplored war
and asked the United States to help along
the cause of arbitration.
After some wrangling the resolution was
| adopted. The report of the committee on
eligibility had not been read at noon.
Bishop Merrill announced that the order
of the day was the report of the commit
tee on eligibility. The secretary read the
majority report, which declared that
WOuicll udu q COuStlJubiOnd1 W 1acLl-
bership in the conference.
Rev. DIR. A. G. Kynett, who is leading
the fight for the women, made speech in
favor of the acoption of the report. 1t
was historical account of the question,
and was masterful presentation OF the
women's side of the question.
The Rev. DR.. Neely of Philadelphia read
the minority report. 1t said that the
minority had carefully inquired into the
question. and found that the women pos
sessed no rights in the conference what
ever.
DIR. Neely made fervid speech in favor
of the minority report. His chief point
was that women could only be admitted
by change in the constitution.
.That could only be done," he said. "by
three-quarter vote of the members OF the
| annual conference and the approval OF the
General Conference"
DR. Neely moved to substitute the mi
| nority for the majority report. This was
| lost. Other vigorous speeches Ter and
| against women were made.
The discussion continued at length, and
was heated at times. Finally, or motion
| OF the Rev. DIR. Leonard OF Cincinnati, the
| further debate on the woman question was
| postponed until 10 o'clock tomorrow
| morning. At that time Rev. DR.. Steven
son of Kentucky will have the floor.
DR.. w. A. Kneighton of California made
hit in his opening sentence. He ad-
dressed the conference as "Mr. President,
| brethren and sisters" and was greeted
| with prolonged cheers.
| He held that the conference had right
| to pass upon the eligibility of women, as
| it was matter of law, and the conference
| is the supreme court of the church.
| DR.. Forbes of Minnesota aud DR.. Gray
| of Pennsylvania were the last to address
| the conference upon the subject, they
speaking for the minority report DR..
Stephenson Of Kentucky will open the
| debate on the question tomorrow morn
ing. Very little outside of the debate was
done.
AT the special evening session for the
reception of fraternal delegates, Rev. John
j. Lewis of New Zealand, the representa-
tive OF the Australian Wesleyan Confer
ence, traced the growth of Methodism in
that part OF the world. and Rev. DR.. ]. G.
| Morris OF Nashville discussed the growth