The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-05-07

The Two Reports on Women as Lay Dele
gates Keoommitted.

gates IttouhlhAstfh'
CLEVELAND, o., May 6.-ln accord
ance with the rule adopted Tuesday, the
General Conference OF the Methodist
church was called 10 order at $50 o'clock
this morning. Bishop warren presided.
Devotional exercises were conducted ~
the Rev. Dr. ). O. Bcnton,0t Southern New
England. Professor George l.. Acker-
man. Of Alabama. presented resolution
asking the Committee on Episcopacy 10
report by Saturday as TO the adFisaoillty
OF elecung more bishops.
10 was ordered that no resolution ar
fccting the law or discipline OF the church.
which had not been considered by
committee, be introduced after May 10Th.
A resolution giving women the right 10
be elected trustees Of the Epworth League
was offered 10y the Rev. Or. Parker or
India. Referred.
An order was made fixing Monday. May
18th. as a day for election OF additional
bishops and other officers. a resolution
was introduced providing for a committee
OF nine. consisting of three bishops, three
ministers, ana three laymcn, as COM
mittee TO confer with a similar committee
from the Methodist Church. South, 10 con-
slider federation of the two churches.
Daniel Stevenson, of Kentucky, offered
a substitute providing FOR committee
Of fifteen 90 take up the subject OF reunion
with the Church. South. Both resolution
and substitute were referred 10 the Com
mittee on State OF the Church.
DIR. MORRIS TREATMENT.
William V. Kecicy of New York. East
introduced a resolution apologizing for
the shabby treatment accorded 10 the
Rev Or. Morris. the fraternal delegate
from the Church, South. The Rev. DR..
Buckley. of New York, said that the
treatment Of Dr. Morris was the worst
case Of inhospitality that had ever oc-
CURED in any of the sessions Of the
General Conference.
After some delegates had suggested that
the matter was a very delicate one, and
that the less said the better, the rcsolu-
tion was passed.
The debate on the woman question was
again heated, but no decision was reached.
Rev. Dr. Reed. OF New York. East
spoke against the admission of the four
women delegates, although he said be
favored the admission of women boy con-
stiutional means. The adoption of the
majority report would discrcdit this con-
ference before the whole United States
no said "To seat these women would be
10 wrong great portion OF the General
Conference and of the Methodist church.
There is no hurry about the metter. Let
MS refuse TO admit these four delegates
and refer the whole matter 10 the annual
conferences
REV. Or. J. NJ. King, Of New York.
said:
"rhe mere fact that the General Con
ference has submitted this question 10
the annual conferences two times is PROOF
conclusive that the previous general con-
ferences have regarded this question as
legislative one, and not question over
which this body has exclusive jurisdic-
on"
The Rcv. c. T. Mason. Of Savannah,
said: "For years ! voted for the women
and am heartily i'm favor of
riving her The right Of church
suffrage by constitutional means
but I do not think it wise TO bring
the woman i'm by judicial Interpretation
OF the constitution.
REV. Dr Frank Bristol. Of Chicago. In
"a brilliant speech. moved TO recommit
both majority and minority reports with
distinctions 70 bring in % REPORT sub
mittnc the question TO the annual com
fercnces.
Rev. DIT buckley wanted the commit
tee TO have powers So that they
might report what they desired.
REPORTS BECOMMlTTED.
Rev. Dr. Leonard amended the motion
by moving that the committee try and
come 10 an unanimous decision and re-
port at I'D A. NJ. tomorrow. lle said
that both sides had been in consultation
during the day. and that there WAS
settlement I'm sight satisfactory 10 both
sides Several speeches We're made in
favor of recommittal and amid great
excitement on the part OF the delegates
the previous question was ordered. The
two reports We're recommicd by an al
most unanimous vote.
ON motion. the action Of the conference
iu relation To- the treatment OF the Rev
)r. i. q. Morris. faternal delegate from
tho Church. South was reconsilered and /
the Rev. Dr Goucher's resolution, con-
Ccmlhg the matter was passed
A resolution was passed asking Rev. |
Or. Morris 10 return 20 Cleveland. that /
he might be properly received by the !
Tho most important matter OF the Meth |
3d SO Conference" respecting the ad- |
mission of women delegates. was acted !
upon tonight. when the ffty-nine negro |
delegates met and decided they would |
Insist on the election 10 q hishopric of |
J vs.. T. Bowen, ID. d.. Pm. D., professor |
)f theology at Graunon School. at ATTAIN |
la. The matter viii hc brought 10 "a crisis |
pm May 18TH when the election Of bishops |
book agents and editors viii take place. |
ID is likely that there VII be considerable /
lissens.on before The matter IS ended.