The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1916-10-03
CLERCYNEN UNANIMOUSLY ADOPT
RESOLUTION FAVOR|NG SUFFRAGE
REPORTS SHOW GAIN
FOR BENEVOLENCES
Closing Sessions of Annual
Conference Yesterday
Busiest of Week.

One or the foremost features OF the
closing sessions Of the SEVENTEEN an
nual West Virginia Methodist Episco'
pal conference, which convened in this
city Il week ago, was the adoption OF
a resolution favoring woman suffrage.
The resolution was presented during
the afternoon session by Rev. r. c.
Bramlet:, and is as follows:
''Resolved, That We favor recogniz.
ing the political right of women in Civ,
ing them the ballot al our next election
in West Vig!nia."
1t was signed by r. c. Bramlett,
Lloyd Fast and Il .Merrells.
Its presentation occasloned an enthu,
SiaStic demonstration. Rev. +. S.. Town
send, Of New Martinsville, who was
presiding while Bishop Hamilton at,
tended cabinet meeting. said that the
Methodist Episcopal conference was a
religious body, for the. transaction OF
religious matters, and that he did not
think such resolution could be
brought before the meeting. His con-
tentlon was not sustained, however
and nr. S. X Arbuthnot, of Parkers.
burg, and Rev. +. G. W. Ford cham,
pioned the cause.
Not Political Issue.
DR.. Arbuthnot. in discussing the re-
solution. said: "Woman's suffrage is
not political issue 1t is non-partisan
and for :he work which We have set
out to do. Let's make this opportun-
ity practical demonstration and al
low the women of West Virginia 10
break away from the bonds and de-
relop what Is in her.
Should this resolution be adopted
would that mean that we would have
TO vote for it?' asked a minister. This
remark, made perhaps in jest, and per
haps in seriousness brought Rev. F. q.
W. Ford, an aged minister, to his feet.
ut would be. pity if the Methodist
minister had TO be coerced in voting
for the amendment. If he hasn't any
love for his mother or sister, pity
him.
Wheeling Shows increase
The Closing day Of the sevcatietf
session Of the Methodist Episcopal con-
ference yesterday was marked by the
presentation "f many reports Of com.
last Tuesday. Several of, the commit
tees which dealt with matters of minor
Importance but which are interesting to
members Of the conference reported.
Inc treasurer report Tor the year
showed that IN all bcncv0lcnccS Of The
state NJ. T.. churches there WAS de-
crease of about $1,000 due to Il decrease
In other contributions which were made
last year. Those contributions could
not he regarded US heneVOlences. it was
announced. But in the regular benevo-
lences il was shown that an increase
of about $4,000 had been made during
the past conference year. In all dcpart-
mcntS of the work. the Wheeling dis
trirt churches showed n substantial in
crease. Tho report was made by Treas
urcr, William Coleman.
Membership Gain.
The s:atistician'S report presented
many interesting figures. Especially
was it notable in the report OF the sun
day schools ut the state. In 1915 there
were 40 such schools. while this year
there w"re 900. Il decrease Of |. Teach
crs also decreased. Last year there were
90l9 and this S909. y gain OF 4n42 pupils
OF the sunday school wHs reported.
Concerning tho membership or the
church. the S:ptlStician reported that
there were 14.547 against 13.3iS last
year. slight gain. In NONRESIDENT
members 4; gain of G99 was reported
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