Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1896-05-05
WOMEN AND METHOD|SM
The Committee Voted 20 to II
in Their Favor.
TWO REPORTS WERE MADE
The Majority :. TT Was champOned by DR..
* A. G. kynett.
THE W. ,RlTY BY REV. DR.. NEELY
DR.. N ns Says This Is One of the Grav-
~ Times in the History of Method
ism-The Law of the Church
Against Them.
TWO REPORTS WERE MADE
: ,RlTY BY REV. DR.. NEELY

Cleveland, o., May 4.--Expectation of
discussion upon the question of eliglbil-
ity or women to seats as delegates to the
Methodist conference drew such crowds
this morning to the large armory where
the conference sits that standing room
was at a premium.
The committee on eligibility to decide
upon their rights in the premises sat un-
til a late hour Saturday night and at
last voted 20 for the women to II against,
1t was then decided to submit majority
and minority reports to the conference.
Bishop Merrill called the convention to
order, and after prayer the Rev. DR..
Muller of Clevelsnd attempted to read
series of resolutions on the subject of
war and arbitration, but was prevented
by the chair, who ruled him out of or
der.
The rules were suspended and DIR. Null
Ter was allowed to read his resolutions
on arbitration. The resolution deplored
war and asked the United States to help
along the cause of arbitration. After
some wrangling the resolution was
adopted.
Bishop Merrill announced that the or
der of the day was the report of the COM
mittee on eligibility.
Secretary David S. Munroe read COM
munication from the women delegates
from the North Indiana and Ohio con-
ferences. 1t said that while they firmly
believed that women had the right to be
admitted to the conference, they re-
spectfully withdrew their rights In the
interest of harmony. They thanked the
champions of their cause, but said they
could not consent to have a protracted
struggle over their rights. 1t was signed
by three or four women delegates and
CT ffltr TO 1n alaat t,fain
of the womens cause.
Lydia A. Trimble's name was not
signed to the document and the women's
champions rallied.
The secretary read the majority report,
which declared that women had a con-
stitutional right to membership in the
conference.
Rev. DR.. A. G. Kynett, who is leading
the fight for the women, made brilliant
speech In favor of the adoption of the re-
port. 1t was an historical account of the
question and was a masterful presen-
tation of the women's side of the ques-
tion.
The Rev. DR.. Neely of Philadelphia
read the minority report. 1t said that
the minority had carefully inquired into
the question and had found that tho
women possessed no rights in the con-
ference whatever. The Rev. Dr. Neely
made fervid speech in favor of the
that women could only be admitted by
change in the constitution. That could
only be DONE he said, by a three-quarters
vote of the members Of the annual con-
ferences and the approval OF the general
conference.
DR.. Nicely moved to substitute the NIL
norlty for the majority report. This was
lost.
The Rev. DR., George p. Mains of
Brooklyn said: "This Is one of the
gravest times in the history OF Method
ism. The question of women today In
the world threatens the very civliza-
ton. We cannot afford to make this
change except in the most conservative
manner"
He was satisfied that the great cause
of Methodism would not suffer II women
were admitted, but the law of the church
positively denied them admission. The
discussion continued at length and was
heated at times. Finally, on motion or
Rev. DR.. Leonard of Cincinnati, the fur
ther debate on the woman question WAS
postponed until 10 a. m. tomorrow. At
that time the Rev DR.. Stevenson of Ken
lucky will have the floor.