The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-05-05
WOMENASDELEGATES
Stubborn Fight in Progress in
Methodist Conference.
THE WOMEN OFFER TO RESIGN.
Sentiment In Favor of More bishops
Mitigation Of the Rule - to ltin-
erancy or Preachers

Cleveland. May 1.-The advocates and op-
ponents OF the proposition TO admit wo-
men delegates were patted against each
other today IN the Methodist general con-
ference in what Will probably be decis-
i've battle. The committee of thsrty-one on
eligibility sent a majority report in favor
q the women and minority report. These
considered tomorrow Each side claims
success The standing committees organ
lied In the afternoon viii be in session
every afternoon during the conference.
Anticipation Of the disposition Of the wo-
man question called out a large attendance
this morning. Bishop Morrill,. of Chicago.
presided
DR.. Muller. OF Cleveland. presented q
resolution tavoring arbitration for all Eng
disappearing countries. which was adopt
ed and copy ordered to be sent 10 the
president of the United States.
The exciting feature Of the day was
when Dr.. Monroe presented to the confer
eaee q written statement from the four
women delegates. part of which follows:
While We regard ourselves as laymen
In the full sense Of the term. and hold
that lay electoral conferences are entitled
under the amendment of 1857 to choose
their delegates subject only TO the restric-
ton therein specified, we are unwilling
to seem to insist upon the personal rights
which are In dispute. II seems to US that
were the conference relieved from the
tension which our presence occasions. II
might speedily devise a plan OF admissi On
upon which . great majority of the mem
bers could agree. While we sincerely re-
greet to disappoint the chivalrous cham
pions Of womans eligibility. We cannot
consent to protracted debate over our per-
sonal eligibility to this conference, with
the alterations which we fear such a
struggle might cause. We therefore
cheerfully relinquish our seats in our hon.
orable body, and await such a settlement
OF the long vexed question as your wis
dom may devise. confident that your ac-
ton viii embody the spirit Of the golden
rule"
The statement was presented by Jane F.
Bashenford. Lois 8. Sparker and Ada C.
Butcher. No sooner had the communioa-
ton from the women delegates been Of
Tered than DR.. kynett, chairman Of the
committee ON eligibility, submitted the
majority report. He briefly announced
that the committee had decided that NO.
men were entitled to seats In the conven-
tfon- Several delegates arose to defend
II, but there was universal demand for
the minority report 1t was q lengthy
document. read by DIR. Nicely, Of Phiia-
delphia. 1t found the challenge Of the
eligibility OF the women whose names
appeared on the roll OF the general con-
ference sustained: that the election Of
women by lay electoral conferences Is
Illegal. and that to seat the claimants
would tend to destroy all respect for the
constitution OF the church and for the
decisions and interpretations of the gem
eral conference.
The thirteen standing committees and
the special committee on the Epworth
League organized permanently this aHer-
noon and Will begin work tomorrow.
Among them are the committee which will
consider the ACCESSIBILITY of having more
bishops, and that which will make a rec
ommendation on the proposition to miti-
gate the severity of the rule governing the
itineraney OF ministers
Bishop Foss said to the Associated Press
agent today: Il believe that more of the
bishops than not think our number should
be increased BY three or four. The minor
ity, however. Is very strong. Ny idea is
that II more bishops are chosen, Il should
not be to make bishops of India. China,
Africa, ETC., but to have them bishops in a
general sense. SO that we can devote what
time Is necessary to this country, and GER
tain OF us so to foreign lands for what
time Is needed to be devoted there"
The supporters of the women delecates'
cause claim tonight that they have certain
~ won the victory. and that the final vote
viii seat the women. Their opponents.
while they concede that the other side has
had large majority OF the delegates from
the start. declare their belief that the tide
win be turned by the speeches in the con-
ference today. The debate will be resumed
tomorrow.