The Columbus journal., 1896-05-13
WOMEN GET SEATS.
RETAIN THEIR SEATS IN THE METHo.
DIST GENERAL CONFERENCE
Hovs0ese - Uaily Nstheaise Iatseoses.
Weslsya1s RsoAy % Unteo WIN ThaiF
AAsrScan Observation-Disclosures Decide
70 Eloo9 More Bkhops.

my o.-Oy SOV0 "
425 to 50 the Methodist general confer.
ence decided the cur ONE delegates
might retain their seats. This does not
mean that the women have won . com.
plete victory. The decision wa reached
simply a. tho result of compromise
and with the understanding that 1t
should not prejudice the claims OF
women in the future or establish . pre-
cedent for future conferences to follow.
But by the same vote BY which the
women were given seats. the conference
also decided to submit to the annual
conference . proposed amendment to
the constitution, providing that here
after all general conference delegates
shall he over IS years of age and that
they shall have been members OF the
Methodist church for at least five years
prior to their election. It also provides
no conference shall be debarred from at
least one ministerial and q lay dele
gate. This constitutional amendment
is to be submitted to tho annual con-
ference and must receive . three-fourths
vote to be adopted. The amendment
Is construed to mean that women rs
we'll as men will be eligible - lay dele
gates, the word ''layman'no being used.
CLEVELAND. May lO.-When Bishop
Ninde cDlled the general conference to
order this morning but few delegates
were in their seats. In fact, since the
conference settled the woman question
dele yates generally have been tardy.
DR.. BrOadbeck asked leave ON behalf
Of the committee on missions to submit
his report out of its order. The rule
was granted and the report was read.
Il related to the reception of pastors
from other denominations into the
Methodist church. While the resolu-
ton was general, it was explained that
it referred to q special case in Germany,
where . union with the German Wes-
leyans desired to incorporate with the
Methodist Episcopal church There
were differences of opinion a to the
financial arrangement.
Favor Unioo with Wesleys1s.
The Wesleyans had property worth
esOO. OOO. which will be brought into
tho Methodist church. They would
sacrifice their lifelong connection with
the English Wesleyan society. which
they regarded as quite q sacrifice. The
speaker therefore asked that the con-
ference take such action a. would open
the doors Of the Methodist church to
the Wesleyan brothers and If 60 the
--Son ~~o~1l ho nonMvnAhol mn~k
year.
The resolution was unanimously
adopted by q rising vote. A cablegram
was sent to the Wesleyan synod, now
in session, informing it Of the result Of
the conference action.
Ex-senator Harlan. under the order
Of miscellaneous business, introduced
the following resolution:
Resolved, That the second restrictive
rule be SO changed rs to admit Of equal
representation by the ministry and laiety
Of the general conference.
The resolution was signed by James
Harlan, Chris Howe and J. p. Letter.
CLEVELAND, May lathe high tenn.
perature and the humidity of the atmos-
phere both operated to prevent q burst
of oratory at the Methodist Episcopal
general conference yesterday and the
routine business transacted was dis
posed of with as little effort as possible.
The most important question disposed
Of was the fixing OF the time for the
election Of bishops. The election will
begin on Thursday of this week and
continue until all the officers are chosen.
Resolutions were presented favoring the
CELEBRATION Of the color line in the
election Of bishops and condemning
lynchings, both of which. were referred
to appropriate committees without &C.
ton. Another resolution. proposing a
reduction in the salaries of conference
officials, because of hard times. was also
referred to q committee.