Evening journal., 1900-03-24

AND REFUSED TO BE A CANDl-
DATE - IMPORTANT MEETING
OF THE LAY ELECTORAL CON-
FERENCE HELD YESTERDAY
AFTERNOON.
Contrary to expectation and general
opinion, the session of the lay confer
ence, held yesterday afternoon to name
delegates to the General Conference.
passed off without a ripple Of unpleas-
antries or a dissenting voice.
1t was openly stated previous to the
opening Of the session yesterday morn
ing, that no one need be surprised If a
warm time followed, and If some ill
feeling were noticeable among the
delegates. AS it was, however moth
ing but the most friendly rivalry ex-
listed between the supporters OF the
different candidates. and the session
passed OFF without a hitch.
AS has been announced, there was a
number of aspirants for the honors to
be bestowed, especially in the Easton,
Dover and Salisbury districts. These
we're actively supported by their
friends and adherents who strongly
urged the election Of their respective
candidates.
DEVOTIONAL EXERCISES.
Previous to the opening of the bust
ness session a half hour devotional
service was conducted.
A number Of the delegates made
short addresses, urging their hearers
to lead a true Christian life.
Several of the speakers referred TO
the practice of electioneering that has
been carried on by candidates for Cen
eral Conference delegates, and con-
demned such actions.
At the opening of the business ses-
sion yesterday afternoon, Secretary
Cooper stated that there was no dele
gate present from ParsOnburg, and
presented the name of p. H. Parsons
as a delegate. Mr.. Parsons was in
dorsed by Presiding Elder Martindale
but as he had not been duly elected an
/ alternate he could not be received as 9
delegate.
REPORT OF COMMITTEE.
The committee on resolutions an.
nounced its readiness to make a report
which, upon motion, was read by
Chairman George w. Todd.
The resolutions adopted by the com.
mlttee were of a forcible nature ant
condemned in strongest terms The
canteen system in the army and navy
and the sale of intoxicating liquors IL
the new possessions.
AGAINST ADJUSTMENTS.
The committee also reported thii
resolution to the conference:
Whereas, From present indications
the coming session Of our General Con
i ference will be one of vital interest t
the church; therefore, be it
Resolved. That our lay representa-
tives to that body be instructed e
Il work and vote against that sentimen
which seems to be gaining grounS
within the bounds of our church, tha
would, in a measure at least, removi
the safeguards Of the past and opel
the way for the popular amusement o
the day.
Resolved, That the ringing declara
ton of former years with regard to tn
legalized rum traffic shall be reiteratei
/ and maintained that no organization
should stand in the way of final anl
complete humiliation of the business
Believing as we do. that it is tn
!, greatest barrier to the progress o
! Christianity and civilization. our atti
tude should be one of uncompromisin
and open hostility.
Mr.. Mallalieu's resolution cOncernin
the election of elders was also pre-
sented.
The laymen will express their appre
: citation OF the hospitality extended I
! him by the following resolution:
Resolved, That the thanks of th
s. members Of the lay electoral confer
: ence are due and the same are hereh
extended to the good people of the cit
y Of Wilmington for the exceedingl
= kind and hOspitable manner wit
q which they have received and ente
Il tanned us in their homes.
ELECTED DELEGATES.
r After the reading Of the resolution
Is il was decided to postpone action upo
J. them and the consideration of an
ID other resolutions until after the elei
tion OF delegates had taken place.
,e According to the rule Of rOtatio
/; regular delegate to the convention we
l. to be chosen from the Wilmington an
Easton districts, the provisional del
gates being elected from the Dover al
Salisbury districts. DR.. Sudler at on
moved to proceed with the election
p the delegates from Wilmington al
Easton districts. Mr.. Fletcher,
3 Cambridge, offered a substitute motto
to the effect that the conference go in
no an election for all four delegates, ty
nv regular and two provisional, at &
re same time. That thetwOcandidates fro
the Wilmington and Easton districts !
30 ceiving the highest number of vot
S be declared regular delegates, and th
op the two nominees from Dover a
erl Salisbury districts receiving the gre;
est number of votes be declared pI
he visionals.
Is, DR.. Cooper objected to the propos
i'll substitute motion on the ground tt
ck the conference had the right to eli