The Indianapolis journal., 1896-05-05
ELIGIBILITY TO THE MErHoDIsr,s
CONFERENCE NOT SETTLED.
-Four Women Delegates Attempt 10
Pour OIL on the waters ny with 2
drawing Their Claims.
BOTH SIDES CLAIM VICTORY
THE CONTEST WILL CONTINUE TO-
DAY WITH MUCH SPIRIT.
A Polish Priest Offers To Turn His
Church Over To the Conference
A. NJ. Il. QuadrenniaI.

- ma 0O0UIcmulUAs
CLEVELAND. O.. May 4.-The advocates
and opponents of the proposition to admit
women delegates were pitted against each
other to-day in the Methodist General Con-
ference in what Will probably be decisive
battle. The committee of thirty-one on ell
gibility sent in majority report In favor OF
the women and minority report against.
These were debated warmly and will be
further considered tomorrow. Each side
claims success. The standing committees
organized in the afternoon and viii be In
session every afternoon during the confer
ence. 1T is stated tonight that Rev. A. +.
Kolaszewiski, pastor of the Independent Pol
ish Church of the Immaculate Heart of the
Blessed Virgin Mary and also the head OF
the Independent Polish movement In the
United States has approached Chaplain Nc
Cabe with a proposition to-:urn his church
with its congregation TO the Methodist fe-
nomination. Chaplain Mccabe, while admit
ting that the offer had been made. declined
to discuss 1t. 1t was impossible TO see Rev.
Mr.. Kolaszewisk tonight.
The anticipation Of a disposition or
the woman question called out a
large attendance at the General NJ.
E. Conference this morning. The dele
gates were early in their seats. and the spec
tators were more numerous than on any
previous day. Bishop Merrill, OF Chicago.
presided. and the first hymn was announced
by Rev. DR.. Hurlburt. of the Sunday school
Union A fervent prayer was offered by DIR.
Hurlburt, after which the business OF the
morning was taken up.
Rev. Henry A. Buchtel OF Indiana. de-
sired the Episcopal address read in every
pulpit. The conference adopted resolution
to send a copy to each pastor.
DR.. Mueller, of Cleveland presented reso-
lutions favoring arbitration for all English
speaking countries, which were adopted, ana
a copy ordered sent TO the President OF the
United States. The resolutions pictured at
length the horrors of war and announced
that the English-speaking countries of the
world had too much in common to risk the
lives and treasures of their people in q
bloody conflict. The resolutions turther re-
ported in favor Of an arbitration commits
sion.
The exciting feature of the day was when
DIR. Monroe presented TO the conference
delegates. 1t looked as though this state
ment might solve the perplexed question, but
II did not. Following is part OF the state
While we regard ourselves as laymen In
the full sense of the term. and hold that the
lay electoral conferences are entitled. under
delegates, subject only to the restrictions
therein specified. we are unwilling TO seem 10
insist on personal rights which are I'm dis-
quite. The chief question at issue now seems
to US to arise over the method to be pur-
sued this. We recognize honest differ
ences OF opinion among the most intelligent
that were the conference relieved from
the tension which our presence occasions IL
might speedily devise plan of admission on.
which the great majority OF the members
could agree. While we sincerely regret 10
disappoint the chivalrous champions OF
woman's eligibility, We cannot consent TO a
bility to this conference. with the. alena-
tions which We fear such a struggle might
cause. We, therefore, cheerfully relinquish
our rights in your honorable body and await
such a settlement of long vexed question
as your wisdom may devise, confident thar
your action will embody the spirit OF the
ciation of the courtesy shown US. and assure
you that we shall continue 10 pray and %
labor for the prosperity OF our Zion.'
The statement was presented by 'ane II.
Bashford, Lois s. Parker and Ada c.
Butcher No sooner had the Communication
been Offered than Dr. Kynett. chairman or
the committee on eligibility. submitted the
majority report of the committee. 1t briefly
stated that the committee had decided that
the women were entitled to seats in the con-
ference Several delegates arose 10 defend
mand for the minority report. IL was a
lengthy document. and was read by Dr.. Il.
B. Neeiy, of Philadelphia. IL found that
''the challenge of the eligibility OF the
women whose names appear on the roll OF
the General Conference is sustained ana
that 1.-The election OF women by lay electoral
conferences are illegal acts, and that TO
seat the claimants VIII tend 70 destroy all
respect for the constitution OF the church.
the the tS General era Conference" After extended
debate on the merits Of the two reports
further discussion was postponed until after
noon, when II will be resumed as a special
order of business. The conference then took
a recess.
The thirteen standing committees and the
special committee on Epworth League or
ganized permanently this afternoon. ana
will begin work tomorrow. Among them
are the committees which will consider the
advisability OF having more bishops. and
which will make recommendation on the
proposition to mitigate the severity or the
rule governing the itineracy ministers.
Bishop Foss said to the reporter to-day:
81 believe a majority of the bishops think
our number should be increased by three
or four. The minority. however. Is very
strong. My idea, II more bishops are cho-
sen. Is not to make bishops OF India, Afri-
ca, China, etc. but TO have them bishops
in a general sense, so that we can deSote
what time is necessary TO this country ana
certain of us go to foreign lands for what
time is needed to be devoted there"
The supporters of the woman n-celegate
cause claim tonight that they Nave GER
tainly won the victory, and the inal vote
will seat the women. Their opponents.
however while they concede that me oiner
side has had a large majority OF the dele
gates from the start. declare their belief TO
be that the tide was turned by the fp"ecnes
In the conference to-day The deoase VII
be resumed in the conference to-mor'S" at