Rocky Ford enterprise., 1896-05-07
WOMEN WILL WIN
IN THE METHODIST CONFER
ENCE.
Tho Fight Over tho Admission Of tn ,
Ladies' Began on tho Opening Day of
the Great Gathering Committee
Favorable,

tho Great Gathering Connm:tter
Favorable.
Cleveland, o., May1.-The gavel OF the
venerable Bishop Bowman fell this morn
Ing at o'clock and the great quadrcnnial
conference Of the Methodist Episcopal
church was under way. Central Armory
looked beautiful indeed. Its interior was
brilliant, and on all sides there was an
expectancy that issues Of Importance
were about to be precipItated in the con-
vention.
Three thousand people were In the hall
when the meeting was called to order.
On the floor We're white men and black
men, the delegates from cold Norway
and Sweden and from tropical India and
Japan.
Nearly every country on the globe was
represented.
Bishop Bowman announced that the
Bible, which will be used In the services,
Is the one which was used by John Wes-
ley In his study In England. This histor-
ical treasure was presented to the con.
ference some years ago.
Bishop Ninde read from this book the
one hundred and third psalm. Bishop
Vincent read the hymn. after which
prayer was offered by Bishop Foster.
Bishop Foster prayed that personal am
btion might be stified and that harmony
should rule. The Rev. William Burt Of
Rome, Italy. followed In reading Of
the Scriptures, after which Bishop Tay-
lor Of Africa read the hymn. Rev. DR..
upham Of Drew Theological seminary Of
fered prayer, which closed the devotional
services.
When the devotional exercises were
over little furry occurred In the conven-
ton by reason Of the call on Secretary
Monroe to call the roll. II was thought
that this action would precipltate the con-
test OF the seats for women. When the
name OF Lydia A. Trimblc was announced
n delegate was Immediately on his feet
with motion that this name be omitted
until committee determine whether her
election was legal. For moment II
looked as II the fight was started. Bishop
Bowman, however. refused to entertain
the motion. rs he declared the convention
was not organized.
The tumultuous applause which fol-
lowed the ruling Of the chair Indicated
the strength OF tho woman suffrage frac-
tion Of the delegation.
The actual fight for the admission Of
women delegates was precipI,ated when
Mr.. Planet OF North Dakota moved that
committee on credentials be appointed.
This brought DIR. Buckley. the oid.time
enemy OF the women. to the front. who
challenged the rights OF women 10 seats
In the convention. A scene OF widest
confusion followed. In which Bishop Bow.
man threw up his hands In dispair and
exclaimed:
"Arc we In congress, or are we In .
Methodist confcrenceI Good Lord.
brethren. can We not stop this hooting
and bowling? The lord help us"
The question was finally disposed Of by
referring all question Of eligibility TO .
special committee consisting Of twenty
eight members. This committee Is made
UP OF two delegates from each conference
district.
The committee will report Monday and
IN the meantime the women will bc al
lowed seats In the convention.
Cleveland. o., May 2.-.rhe four women
who have been elected ms delegates to tho
general conference Of the Methodist Epls-
copal church and their supporters appear
to have gained n substantial victory. and
the indications now nre that when the
question Is fought out on the floor Of the
conference ON Mohdcy. the women will
come out with flying colors.
The fourteen district conferences have
held meetings aud selected committee
men to represent their respective district
on tho committee which will report on
the eligibility Of women 10 the confer
cncc. The result was complete vic
tory for the women. the committee stand.
ing II to II In favor Of the unconditional
admission OF women.
Rev. DIR. J. NJ. Buckley Of New York
City. the leader OF the opposition to the
the second district. and he will lead the
opposition on the floor Of the conference.
From the eighth district the clerical
representative is Rev. DR.. A. q. kcynett
OF Philadelphia. one Of the leaders Of the
woman's side. The committee will make
a majority aud minority report on Mon.
day. mud then the most exciting session
Of the conference will he held. Almost
all other questions have been lost sight Of.
and the business OF the conference will be
unimportant until the woman question
Is settled. ..t -