The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1896-05-05

CLEVELAND. Ohio. May 4.-The an
tlcIpatIon Of disposition Of the woman
Queation called out large attendance
at the general NJ. E. conference this
morning. The delegates were early in
their seats and the spectators were
more numerous than on any previous
day.
Bishop Merrill, OF Chicago, presided.
and after devotional exercises. Or.
Mueller. OF Cleveland. presented res
olutIon favoring arbitration for aIi Eng
llsh- speaking countries, which was
adopted. and copy ordered sent to the
President OF the United States.
The exciting feature OF the day was
when DR.. Monroe presented to the con-
ference a written statement from four
women delegates. 1t looked as though
this statement might solve the per-
picked women question, but It did not
Following Is part Of the statement:
while we regard ourselves as
Iaymen in the full sense OF the term,
and hold that the lay electoral confer.
ences are entitled, under the amend
ment OF 1852, TO choose their dele
gates, subject only to the restrictions
therein specified, we are unwilling 10
seem to Insist upop personal rights
which are In dispute.
''The chief question at issue now
seems to us to arise over the method to
be pursued. Upon this we recognize
honest differences OF opinions among
the most intelligent and conscientious
members. 1t seems to US that were
the conference relieved from the tension
which our presence occasions: II might
speedily devise plan OF admission up
on which the great majority OF the
members could agree. While we sincefe-
Is regret to dISappoInt the ehlvalrouB
champions Of woman's eligibility, we
cannot consent TO a prOtracted debate
over our personal eligibility to this con-
ference, with the alterations, which
we fear. such struggle might cause
when the principle not easily provoked,
thinkest no evil
1--WE, therefore, cheerfully rellnquish
IN your honorable body and await such
a settlement OF q long vcxed question
as your wisdom may devise. confident
that your action will embody the spirit
OF the golden rule. We desire TO eG-
press our appreciation OF the courtesy
shown us and assure you that we shall
continue to pray and to labor for the
prosperity OF our Zion"
The statement was presented by Jane
F. Bashford, Louis S.Parker and ADA c.
Butcher.
the women delegates been offered than
DR., Kynett, chairman OF the committee
on eligibility, submitted the majority
report OF the committee. II briefly an
nounced that the committee had decld-
ed that the women were entitled TO
seats In the convention. Several dele.
gates arose to defend the report. but
there was a universal demand Tor the
minority report. II was lengthy doc
unent and was read by T. b. Eeely. OF
Philadelphia. II found that the chat-
lenVe Of the eligibility OF the women
whose names appear on the roll OF the
conference IL sustained and that the
election OF women by lay electoral con-
fereuces are Illegal acts. and that to
ssnt the claimants would tend to de-
stroy all respect for that constitution
OF the church and for the decisions and
interpretations OF the general confer
encc.
After extended debate on the merits
OF the two reports further discussion
was postponed until afternoon, when u
Will he resumed as a special order Of
business. The conference then ad-
The thirteen standing committees and
the special committee on Epworth
League, organized permanently this at-
ternoon and will begin work tomorrow
Among them are the committees which
will consider the advlsability OF having
morn bIahUpS, ard That whlon will make
a recommendation on the proposition to
mitigate the severity OF the rule govern
ing the Itinerary OF ministers.
Bishop Foss snid to the Associated
Press agent to-day:
81 believe that more OF the bishops
thnn not think that our number should
No Increased by three or four. The NIL
nority, however. Ia very strong. MY
iden. IL moro more bishops are chosen,
is not 10 make bIshoprics Of India, Chi
mn. Nfrlcn, ETC. but to have them bish-
obrIcS In the general sense. 20 that we
can devote what time Ia necessary to
this country and certain OF us go to
foreign lands for what time Is needed
there"
gate cause tonight claim that they have
certainly won the victory and that the
final vote will seat the women. Their
opponents. however, while they con-
ccic that the other side hus had n large
majority Of the delegates from the
start. declare their belief that the tide
was turned by the speeches In the con-
| florence to-day. The dcbntc will be re-
suretl In the conference tomorrow Mt 10
| o'clock.
II Is stated tonight that Rev. a. r.
KoIaazewskI, pastor OF tho Independent
Polish Catholic church OF tho lmmacu-
Intc Heart OF the Blessed Virgin, has np-
proachcd Chaplain McCnbe with n pro-
position TO turn hls church with Its con-
Frogation to the Methodist denomina-
tlon.