Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-04-13
WoRCE TER
rHuRspAY. ArRrL ID, 1sa1.

There is now prospect, we understand, that
the Washburn will case will be settled by arbi-
tration. For some reason not sufficiently ex-
planned, the managers of the Bible Society hest
tated to accept this method of settlement. Sew
eral months have passed since it was proposed
by vote to submit the matter to arbitration, but
nothing has been done, because the managers of
the society made no movement to carry out the
proposition. They allege in excuse of their de-
lay, that "the investigation (by arbitrators) has
been retarded" by the failure of "the other
party" to notify them that the proposition was
accepted by Mrs. Washburn. This excuse is
VIII oily unworthy of gentlemen in their position.
The proposition was accepted as soon as made.
The representatives of Mrs. Washburn voted
for it, and made known at the time, in her name,
as distinctly as possible, that she would accept
1t and name an arbiter as soon as one should be
named by the society. Therefore, the excuse
presented is without reason, and does not eX-
plain the delay. The truth seems to be that the
managers of the society were very reluctant to
do anything that might change their position.
The Boston Advertiser has from Rev. VIM.
H. Gilbert, of the New England agency, state
4ASAt VI lhC OdsS III uOAAdn vi tuC uohaFNio vi
the Bible Society, and says, it is understood
that the society will be represented by President
Woolsey, of Yale College. This selection seems
to us excellent; and, if it has really been made,
we may hope there will be fair and equitable
settlement of the controversy. Such a settle
ment must be earnestly desired by all true
friends of the Bible Society; and we cannot
doubt that many of the gentlemen concerned
directly in The management of its affairs will
equity demands. The treatment Mrs. Wash
burn has received from those who
have controlled the management, is surprising
to those who have regarded the Bible Society
with certain degree of reverence, and supposed
1t incapable of departing, in any matter, from
the spirit of Christianity and the higher law. 1t
has injured the reputation of the society, and
panied some Of its best friends. Her petition
was entitled to the most respectful considera-
ton. 1t might properly be discussed; but to
reject it altogether, and that too, in lofty ar
rogant, and even insulting way, makes us feel,
to use the words of the Advertiser, that 'it was
the society which violated the spirit of both
wills and defeated justice" 1t was not well
done.
1t is probable that the unwarranted course
pursued by the society's managers, is really due
to some individual whose influence has been al
lowed to control their action,-some person more
wilful than just, who has sought obstinately tt
continue apolicy that was begun unjustly. This
explanation is more reasonable than any othel
we can suggest, for we can not easily believe
that majority of the managers are unjust men
or that they are really willing to seem unjust
Some of them have done what is wholly indie
feasible; but there is an influence in the board
that has worked in favor of receding from the
unjust position taken at the beginning. This
influence, last December, secured a committee
report in favor of dealing equitably in the matter
of the stock in the Washburn and Moen Manu-
featuring company" on certain conditions
and now it has so far triumphed as to
bring the managers to accept the propo
sition to have the matter settled by arbitra
ton. The case is o plain one, and the board
of managers ought to be capable of doing
justice without the intervention of arbitrators ;
but it is better to do it in this way than not to
do it at all, although the nobler method of pro-
ceeding would do more to win back the conf
dence that has been alienated. When the case
shall be finally settled, we hope the individual
or individuals who initiated the policy of injus-
three years, will be dismissed from the positions
they now occupy, and for which they are so
manifestly unfit