Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1875-10-01
4 Fight for II llcarship.

Fight for Il ilcArship.
4 London letter in the Boston Post, gives
lively account ola clerical contest in that
city. The dice Of vicar for the plebeian
parish of Fierkcnwell recently became va
cant lti-a desirable Office, the appoint
ment b-in. for life, and having attached to
tia comfortable yicarege, and salary oi
$4,000 4 year. The vicar is also one OF the
ecclesiastical magnates OF London and i pro-
,idei with ample assistance in his clerical
functions in the person Of curate, who Is
piii from the church revenues. The Office
Is filed, it seems, by popular election. The
canvass ior the place soon narrowed down 10
two candidates. One was the Rev. William
Hollerncss. NJ. A.. a middle-aeed gentleman
of high church tendencies and with aristu- ,
cratic connections The other was the Rev.
j. H. Rose, b. 4, the youthful curate Of
Clerkenwell, Well-known in the parish. and
chaplain oi the famous Clerkenwe.l prison.
which the Fenians tried to blow up some
years ago. \ vigorous campaign en>ued.
There were placard- and pamphlets and ex
hortationS without number Every tavern !
had it. risal orators for Rose and Holder |
ness every street corner was occupied by |
excited di~rutants tine candidates penetrt- /
eli the lanes and by->treets to interview |
humble voters they addressed meetings of |
their adherent-. setting forth their virtues
and capacities best they could they dis
pensei such funds a were necessary 10 de-
fray the ''proper" expenses Of the contest:
aud they both worked as zeaously as any
mundane aspiant for Parliamentary or civic
honors may he seen to do. There was To be
a nomination" This ancient British cere-
mony took place in large school room, and
is thus described
The church wardens were there. fall Of
fussy Importance and paroehial dignity
The beadle was there, in cooked hat and
staff, to maintain a tranquility which was
but too likely to be disturbed the
two candidates were there. in clerical
black and white crayats. Christian be-
nignity and liberation beaming from
their faces down upon the thousand old
paris oners who crowded the body Of the
room. One of the church wardens, on call
ing tie meeting to order There being mean d
while, anything but order IN the halD.
stated that he should take the chair With /
out being voted into it, Then began the {
uproar OF pandemonium, such As distin- y
guishes the English elections for Para- =
ment beyond any conclaves, poll or .
other, in the world No sooner had the a
meeting been called to order when mild a
spoken church warden arose to proceed with f.
the business. His lips were seen to move. a
and that was all. His voice was quite n
drowned by the hubbab. For fifteen min Il
utes he struggled with the science Of acous- b
ties under difficulties then he gave way to A
the chairman, whose lips were also seen to =,
move, and ms arms to thrash about. with no q,
dlStingulshable utterance. He was at last ot
heard 10 express the hope " that the final 81
struggle would he conducted in quiet and Cr
orderly manner - a sentiment to which a n.
large portion OF the meeting seemed to take ii
serious objection. Then. with much diff in
culty, the nominations were made. One ri
gentleman was heard to propose the Rev p
Nir. hose - a. lt and proper person, etc. hg
und was at once hOwed down: then another ~
gentleman was audibly screaming the name ii,
oil heV. Mr.. li0lderness, and he too was IN,
utterly SnuIed out by the clamor. Ii was all
now the turn OF the candidates TO advocate ma
their hines and prOperness. Mr.. Rose arose iii
smiling, with ms hand in his vest his r
mouth opened, but closed into a smile again mi
lie "aS hooted at, yelled at, screeched at po
lhere he stood, patient and tolerant, but the Il,
smile Md4ed ianter. Soon it gave place TO VA
serious look several times he tried to nm
peak, but IN vain. Then he whispered 10 de-,
-he chairman, who announced that the rev pr
'fehu gentleman declined TO address his Inn
brother and sister parishioners" 1t was far
low MIR. Holdcrness's turn but though he. A.
10, came up smiling and bland. his success sci;
Vas no better. The whole OF the audible nj
'ortion OF his speech was, under the crcum- rho
.auceS' beautiful, but comprised only the tan
hrce words, My fellow Christians. Tins oc,
1T he got when he, too, was forced to sit VIII
own IN despair. The show Of hands fol- tho
owed, and was in favor of Hulderness then tor
mn muen shouting and some fighting the .o,
Hsemblage dispersed au
The next three or four days the polls were har
p"ned'a men and women, Of all sects and wit
no sect, MOhammedans and Buddhists. ,ha
Omtists and inGdels, participated in the and
eetion OF Il Wear of the Church of England LaS
aeh party charged bribery and corruption. tmi
he result Of the election, one of the most M
rbulent that London has seen for many a mea
ar was that the young curate Rose carried look
Il day by about three thousand majority. OHIO
nd this Is the way they choose their vicar !; alia'
Clerkenwell. - :
1t seems the Massachusetts nor,o. valu