The herald., 1896-05-09
Reach a Conclusion on the
Woman Question
ALL INVITATIONS TO LEAVE
And Requests to Remain as Houored
Guests, Declined
bfshop Hurst Pounded for Order Till nis
0svei Broke-The Vote Seats
the Ladies'
Associated Press snecial w,r.


CLEVELAND, May s.-Bishop Hurst
presided at the Methodist conferences
this morning. Norris Sharp, Of Ohio.
presented resolution to excuse the wo.
men delegates, who relinQuished their
seats, and providing that their expenses
be paid up to the date Of their with.
drawal. The resolution also called In
their male reserves.
Dr. Neeley of Philadelphia presented
substitute In which women were in
vited to remain as honored guests of the
conference, and their expenses ordered
paid.
DR. Cranston asked for a ruling as to
the present status of women In the con.
ference.
Bishop Hurst decided that it was a
matter of Interpretation for that body
and ruled that DIR. Neeley had the floor.
Just after DR.. Neeley began speaking,
DIR. Frymssinger of Pennsylvania ap-
pealed from the decision Of the chair on
DR.. Cranston's point.
Bishop Hurst put the question as an
appeal from DR.. Cranston. There was
great confusion. motion to lay the en-
tire matter on the table was was lost by
a vote of 21s, to 10S.
Bishop Hurst held that DR.. Neeley
had the floor. DIR. Kynett appealed.
Bishop Hurst declined to entertain the
appeal and a dozen men were on the floor
shouting for recognition.
Bishop Hurst pounded until he broke
his gavel Frymssinger said that if he
was not given the right to appeal ha
would resign.
Dr. Neeley said he desired the with
drawal of his paper. Bishop Hurst would
not permit this and the din continued.
Finally forced by the conference,
Bishop Hurst said he ruled both papers
were before the house and he would en-
tertain the appeal. Mr.. Sharp asked to
withdraw his resolution, but was not per.
viii tA1 % ID t..
tense excitement vote on the appeal
was taken. The ruling Of Bishop Hurst
was sustained by q vote Of 223 to 2O4. DR..
Neeley and Mr.. Sharp both withdrew
their papers and the most violent strug-
gle of the first week Of the conference
was over
]. M. King Of New York presented
resolution directed agaist the use Of
federal money by the Roman Catholic
church, and the reading was frequently
interrupted with applause. 1t was un-
animously adopted without discussion.
The resolution states this general con-
ference representing the Methodist Epis-
copal church. reiterates it's conviction
that the cure for sectarian and ecclesias-
tical aggressions is to be found in the
adoption of the proposed sixteenth
amendment to the United States consti-
tuition drafted and promulgated by the
National League for Protection of Amer
ican Institutions. 1t Is directed the re-
cord of this action be promptly forward
ed to the secretary of the United States
senate, secretary of the house of repre-
sentatives and secretary of the interior
at Washington. This general conference
directs the signatures of it's president
and secretary be signed to this action.
The Methodist conference has now
been we'll started In the consideration oc
the mass of important business which it
has before 1t. The excitement over the
woman delegate question having been
passed. the general current of interest
on other matters Is becoming more ap-
parent. The lay delegates are show
ing their purpose to curtail, If possible,
the powers vested in the ministers and
make the conduct of church affairs more
democratic That issue was raised to-
day in one form in committee, and will
doubtless be the cause of more than
one hot debate on the floor of the con-
ference.
Today's session was begun with the
consideration of the proposition to In
crease the number of bishops. The COL
ored Methodists want bishop of their
own, and so does China. 1t is proposed
also to tighten the labors of the four old
er bishops who were appointed in 1872.