The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-06-13
NEW ROCHELLE WARFARE.
THE SECESSION FROM THE FIRST
EPISCOPAL CHURCH.


Movements Locking toward the FORMING Of n
Rival Church Oruaniza LONESOME Tam
many Tactics In a Church Election.
For twenty-five years the Rev. II. v.
Morgan was the minister OF the First Episcopal
Church Of New Rochelle, and when he resigned
about two years ago, after having been elected
rector. the Rev. J. II. Watson was called to the
pastoral charge. lie took the place on ak
months trial, end was then asked to remain for
Ave years. The offer was not accepted under the
terms, as the minister wished to be elected
rector. The question was discussed by the
members OF the church. a majority OF them
feeling that as the church was paying an annuity
Of $500 to the retired rector the Rev. Mr.. Nor
gan, who now livos In Stamford. they could not
afford to increase the expenses OF the church.
Such was the origin Of division that gave rise
TO the terms, the Meek Party" and the Hill
Party" The Meek Party" ia made up OF the
wealthy members who dwell In the costly m an
sions on Davenporrs Neck, overlooking the
Sound. On an elevation In West Now Rochelle
live the opulcnt members OF the Hill Party"
The church edilce II situated about half way
between bUth parties.
A We r ago, wnen the question OF ecctlug the
Rev. Mr. Watson rector was called up. the
g Neck p ry.' who opposed such an election,
had majority Mr.. X. &. Fisher. marble cut
ur Of tnis city, US senior warden, and he
Hon. Ola kson n. Potter was hts associate In the
leadt rship OF the Neck Party air. George " Z.
Davids, n prosperous lux maker aud Treasurer
Of West ohester county, ana Mr. Jeremiah stur-
yes, a paper dealer, re pfeseu ed the Meek Par
~" III the vest,y. MIR George II. Alderman,
Rochelie; Nj. ". h. Barnet of the New Haven
X ilruad Mr.. J. i. Harrison, lawver, and Mr..
a. e. lleminsway, Wal street tanker. were
recognized as representing the " HUI Party" Ia
the vestry.
On avote, a majority Of tho vestrymen were
In favor OF electing the Rev. Mr. Watson rector I;
but AS the manual Of the church urovides That
Que Of he wardens shall be with the .malnrity.
the motion was lost, Mr.. Fisher and MIR. Potter
having protested against the majority vote cast
by the vestrymen.
The defeat OF the " Hill party" created Intense
Interest In the election of officers for THIS year,
aud as the dav drew nign eacn party exercised
It's most mastery strategy Ia clrcumventing the
other IN electOneerng Tor the attendance OF
members. The annual meeting OF EUiscop
ministers, in which only rectOrs have the priyi-
leVe Of voting. being near at hand, the Rev. Mr..
Watson desired to have seat IN the meeting,
and to gain his point he s'ded witn the Hill
tire, labored with incre ased vigor, as a defeat
me NJ total rout.
On the aays OF election the doors OF the house
OF worship we're thrown open, and the pews aud
aises were quickly nllcd. The " Neck Party re-
nominated Alr. Fisher aud Nr. Potter us wardens
and Messrs. Davlds and Sturges ~ vestrymen,
anu AZ a cODcllitory measure conceded u re-
nomination of Messrs. Alderman, Burnett Har-
RI on. and Hemingway IN the same ticket. The
"Hhl Party" feeling confident OF victory,
Ionintted an opposition ticket, although tney
had oeen conceded a fir representa- ION on the
o,ner ticket. Ihey nominated Mr.. hemingway
as senior warden. and hr. Cnas VI. Iburston, "A
Capitalist, as his associ tie and for vestrymeu
tnev nominated hr. Henry Phelps. Mr.. l.. Nj O..
Davenport, lawyer. aud his brother. Mr. Geo.
". Davenport, drfc ited candidate for the As
semOy The electiOneering was carried to such
a heat = the sacred edihce that Mr.. DIvds told
Mr.. Ackerman he had better get outside the
church, and It Is said 10 the VILLAGE that the eD-
tnet " lar was appiied to one Of the memDers.
The Neck Party were successful by a majority
VI one vote.
Since the election the defeat OF the Hill
Party" has been suite Of an oft-repeated dis
pute that ha, nhatlS resulted In schlsnl, aud
at recent business meeting tue Rev. Mr.. at
son vacated tue pulpit and Messfs. Ackctmau,
Bsruet, Hsrr sou aud Hemingway representA-
tises VI the " HUI Party resigned their onlces in
the Nestry.
An election was held and Nr. q. s. Struggled,
a manufacturer OF ladies' goods IN TINS city Mr..
W. Z. Moore, connected with the Howe Sewing
Machine Manu- cturiug Company and Mr. X.
H. Morris. an ex-yestrymsu, retired merchant
aud descendant OF GOuyerpeur Morris. were
elected to MI the vacancies In the YES ~ Ms "A
further increase OF the " Neck Party" anu Col.
Richard bItaere, an ex-warlen ana ex-Presi-
dent Of the Great Western Fire Insurance Z IN
ptny. az concession to the " Hill Party" Tue
new church government refused 10 approve the
hev. Mr. " atsOns election to n rectorship aud
he discon ttnued his ministraGion TO tneir spir-
itual wants.
organization ola new church, but IL Is under
stood that Bishop Potter will refuse to ordain
another society IN New Rochelle. At the last
meeting of the vestrN men "A notion was pass I'd
year. as there Is 10 Dissatisfaction concerning
his pre- iching, but he refused unless the ohurcn
would confirm him as rector. There liter the
retired rector Of the church. the Rev Mir. Nor
the Rev J.nes 4. Hail OF Brooklyn oriciated.
petition Is ia circulation which it's Intended
snail De used u a call for the Rev. Mr.. Watson
10 return TO the pulpit under a salary.