The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-02-14
Methodist Church Is Asked to
 Confer Rights of Laity
MEMORIAL. IS PREPARED,
Women of Chruch Will Ask That Right to Speak And Vote in Church Affairs Be Conferred Upon
 Them By Conference


 influence and factor to bear, before the forthcoming general conference of the church in May, to secure favorable ac- tion on their petition that the women in the church be given the full rights and privileges of the laity.
 The first formal step in this direction was taken by action of the Woman Home Mission board of the church. in Savannah last October, when a memorial to the general conference asking these rights for the women of the church, was adopted by a vote of 20 to 6.
 But the Methodist women are not con lining their efforts merely to memorial izins and passing resolutions. They have a committee actively in charge of the crusade, including Mrs. Luke Johnson of Gainesville. Miss Belle Bennett presiden. of the Women's Board of Home Mis- sions; Mrs. R. W. Mcdonnell general secretary; Miss Mabel Head, associate secretary. and Miss Mary Heton, editor of the official organ.
 Quietly but effectively the committee has been working since last October se- curing the inducements of their peti- ton from prominent and influential lead CTS in the church, and at the same time molding public sentiment in that direc- ton so that when the question finally comes up Tn the general conference the prospects for favorable action will be frightened.
 There are some 900,O00 women members of the Methodist Episcopal church. South, whose jurisdiction extends from Maryland to California and from the Ohio river to the Gulf. They have absolutely no legal status in the church, and have no right to speak or vote in conferences. As trustees, stewards, presidents of Epworth leagues and superintendents of Sunday schools, not to mention other posts of responsibility equal with those held by men, women Methodsts are actually vio- latng the church law and they want that disability removed formally as 1t Is now unofficially. They want the right to speak and vote in the church confer ences and government where their own interests and particularly the expendi- ture of the funds which they help raise. are involved. Last year the two lead ing women's boards, home and foreign missions. expended $40S, 759.47; adminis tration cost them slo,0lT.62 The women make this splendid showing despite the fact that their organizations are nearly thirty years younger than those of the men.
 The women do not aspire to be preach CTS. exhorters or bishops; all they ask is equality with the laymen in church councils. Speaking of the work her com mittee is doing, Mrs. Johnson said today:
 Many of our women are under the mis- taken impression that action by the gen eral conference Is all that is necessary to secure our success. As a matter of fact even should the general conference pass favorably upon our memorial, 1t would then have to be submitted to forty an- nual conferences in the southern church and at least four years must elapse be- fore we know the result of the appeal. to validate which requires two-thirds vote.
 There should likewise be no mistake about what we are asking. We do not want to be made exhorters, local preach- CTS, itinerant preachers or bishops, but only to be given legal voice in shaping and directing the work of the church of which we form go large 8 part. As trustees, stewards, Sunday school super intendents and in other positions of re- sponsibiiity we are already working in clear violation of the funda mental law of the church; we are asking the general conference to legalize what we are ai- ready doing.
 We nave not even a voice in final les- isation for domestic and foreign mis- sionary work. save within very narrow limitations. We must report in detail to ha which baH final decree over all policy and adninistra- tion connected with our work. To this we do not object in itself, except for the fact that we have no direct legal repre- sentation in the general conference nor in any of the other legislative bodies on down to the local church.
 It is pointed out that official service of women in violation of the church law is a species of lawlessness calculated to encourage demoralization. It is also con- tended that the women, constituting the majority of the church membership, are entitled in fairness and justice, to the consideration they are now seeking.
 From many of the leading men of the church. the women have already secured indorsement of their position, and they will get it from others. The Rev. Dr. J. w. Lee of Atlanta. well known through cut southern Methodism, said
 q favored the memorial of the women. They are the main support of the church. In many places they constitute major ity of the congregst ton, and do a great part of the work. What they do not do themselves they inspire others to do, so they ought to vote in the legislation of the church.
 New Law Proposed
 An interesting proposal was submitted at the convention of the Georgia Fedora lion of Road Authorities, held in Atlanta last week.
 1t was proposed in a resolution offered by W. J. Fakes and Frank c. Manson, both county officers. to urge the legisla- ture to enact a law giving prisoners ar- rested for crimes the privilege either of remaining In jail pending indictment and trial. or. if they wish. of gong to work on the county gang. with the understand ing that if convicted the time worked is to count on their sentences and if acquitted they are to be paid for their services at the rate of $1B per month.
 Tie proposal is quite a novel one. At first glance it might seem there was lit- te reason or necessity for 1t. but in many counties prisoners have to be kept in jail clten for weeks and months before they can be brought to trial on account Of the arrangement of the court term. This in- wolves large expense on the county which. 1t was thought. might be in part removed by the plan proposed, provided there are any prisoners, of course, who are willing to go to work before con ylction
 By giving the prisoner the option of re- raaining in jail or going to work with tho understanding that the time wili be cred ited on his sentence, if convicted, op that lie will be paid for his work if acquitted, there is no chance for complaint of invol- untary servitude. Of course. the average