The San Francisco call., 1897-05-21
EPISCOPAL WOMEN
> MAY STILL VOTE
The Convention Discusses
the Words Male"
and Person.
Rev. DR.. Wakefield Makes an
Earnest Plea for H S Sis.
ters in Christ"
It Is Decided That the Diocese Must
Have an Archdeacon-The
Session Adjourns.

giving the most loyal. devout ana ardent
mem hers of our church their due share Of
representation.
It was at the Episcopal convention yes
terday morning that the venerable DR.. J.
B. Wakefield, D. D. ? of San Jose made this
plea for his sisters in Christ" Rev. R.
C..Foute, re porting for the committee on
canons, had just proposed that in the
amendments to canons the word "male"
should be substituted for the word per
son" In describing those entitled to vote
for vestrymen.
No sooner was the question before the
house for discussion than DR.. Wakefield
took the platform and registered an en-
phatic protest against it. He spoke in
earnest language of women as the
church's most faithful adherents, ard
said he wished the day would come when
the Episcopal diocese Of California could
see the way clear to give them wider
voice in church matters.
The feeling OF the convention on the
question was quickly shown by the sp-
plause with which Rev. DR.. Wakefeld's s
remarks were greeted.
Vincent Neale of San Rafael, who fol-
owed the venerable clergyman, charac-
leIIZ6O as UaSld ldIO4y any SSIAOuo dttSlu "
to rob the women OF their vote. Continu-
ing he said:
1T was the overwhelming vote of the
liquor dealers that killed the suffrage
amendment in this State at the last cleo
ton. Shall the Episcopal Conference put
itself on record as following in the foot
steps of the ltquor-dealers? For Ayo years
women have mad the right of voting for
veslrymen; they have exercised their
privilege judiciously and we'll. 1t would
be illogical and dastardIy to rob them OF
the right OF voting, and l, for one, protest
vigorously against any such motion"
Rev. DR.. Spalding spoke IN warm praise
OF the wol K women had done in his own
vestry elections.
Women raise most of the funds of the
church." he said, 'and / believe that those
who raise money should have voice in
the spending of it"
the word male" in the proposed amend
ment of section 140 OF the canons. Rev.
John a. Emery proposed an amendment
leaving intact the word person" but
making some slight notifications with re-
gard TO the qualifications of would-be
voters, as communicates and contributing
members. Mr.. Emery's amendment was
adopted.
In this connection it may be stated that
among the lay delegates to the conven-
tlon, which adjourned yesterday, were ten
women, namely: Mrs. A. c. Maude OF
D. BleeAer of Selma, Mrs. Helen NJ.
Sexton OF Tulare. Mrs. ]. G. Knox, Mrs.
w. W. Gross and Mrs. w. T. Thomas of
'Visalia; Mrs. J. e. Hutchinson, Mrs.
Henry O'Neil and Miss Alice Caldwell of
Walnut Creek These ladies, however,
did not answer to the rollcall or attempt
10 vote. In consequence the right of
women 20 sit in the convention had no
chance of being discussed this year.
The chief work of yesterday mornings
session was the discussion of proposed
amendments to the canons. The most i'm
portant amendment adopted was one
which DEGREES that elections for vestry-
men shall take place at Advent instead of
Easter, commencing with Advent, 1898.
This change will ecessitate changing the
time OF year of the annual election, but
George II. Hook, assistant secretary,
stated that lay members from the country
could leave their business with more IA
. clity in winter than in early summer
when crops are just beginning TO Tipen.
Considerable discussion was held over
an amendment offered bv the committee
on legislation to conform the canons to
the new law. The debate was whether
D. the rector should be eX-otticio a mem Der OF
the board OF trustees, directors and yes
tries. The canon was finally allowed TO
stand, permitting rectorS TO be ME N bers
of the different vesIrles.
The afternoon session began with the
discussion and adoption OF resolutions
with regard 10 an archdeacon for the dio.
cese. Hitherto the diocese has had no
archdeacon and lately the Bishop has had
more Work than he could perform The
new aTchdeacon will be appointed oy the
Bishop, but the appointment will not be
made Immediately. 1t was resolved that
after January l. 1898, the archdeacon shall
he Of RIG n uhii Ia in
On the recommendation of the finance
committee the archdeacon's salary was
fixed at $15G0 per annum.
Rev. DR.. Spalding, reporting for the
committee on special collections, advised
th5 following:
This diocese cannot recognize any
charities not recognized by the conven-
lion"
After it had been explained that this did
not debar individual churches from re-
cognizing any charities they chose, the
motion was carried. The following chari-
ties were recognized as diocesan: The
Episcopal Old Ladies Home, the Maria
Kip Orphanage, the Armitage Home,
fund for the care of the widows and or
phans of the clergy, general fund for dis
abled clergy, church building fund and
domestic and foreign missions.
- There was nsiderab ble discussion as to
whether ST. Luke's Hospital could be in
Guided in the list. The Bishop pointed
out that st. Luke's is struggling to main
tain free beds, but the general impression
seemed to be that the hospital has 700
much the aspect of a money making insti-
luton to be regarded as diocesan
charity and it was accordingly omitted
from the list.
The following board OF missions was
elected: Rev. John A. Emery, Rev F. ].
MAYNARD. Dean w. H. Moreland, Dean c.
O. Tillotson, Dean William Lucas. Rev.
Robert Ritchie, G. H. Kellogg, Colonel J.
D. V. Middleton, MD, William A. nj.
Van Bokkelen, DR.. II. G. Davis and G. ID.
Haven.
1t was resolved that the delegates to The
Missionary Council be a committee to
CO. operate with the Bishop in regard to
the general missionary fund.
A collection was taken up 10 pay on the
indebtedness of the new church at BANDS
burg, and Theodore Pinther, representing
the Hellenic Christian Society, was given
the privilege of the floor, and made an
appeal For those suffering for the cause
OF Christianity in Greece"
Bishop Nichols intention OF visiting the
coming Lam beth Conference was an
nounced, and, after passing a mum Der OF
votes OF thanks the convention adjourned
sine die. In a few closing remarks Bishop |
Nichols said:
Il believe We have touched high-tide |