The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1877-05-21
The Episcopal Convention at
HtauntOn- The Big Debate on
the Separation OF the Diocese.


Special to the Richmond Dispatch.
sTAuEToN, May 1s.-The unexpected
result Of the West Virginia matter last
evening discouraged many Of the friends
Of division by the line Of the two States,
and they left the church fearful lest the
committee TO report this morning would
discover some new barrier in the way OF
accomplishing an end 30 heartily desired
by many persouS-clergymen and laymen
lin both sections OF the State. During
the debate, which was very lengthy az
well rs interesting, DR.. Hanckel, OF Char.
lottsville, took occasion TO read from one
OF the reports OF Bishop Meade-Lhat
beloved diocesan who has long ago passed
away-a very decided expression from
him that the Diocese should be divided,
and that the Allegheny mountains ought
to be the boundary line between the two
Dioceses.
ANoLD suUEcr OF CONTENTION.
DR.. Hanckel went on to say that this
question had been bone OF contention
for twenty.seven years, and he was deci.
dedIy in favor Of the division. He spoke
clearly and pointedly, and seemed salts.
fed that II the General Convention grant.
ed leave for the erection OF a separate
Diocese itwould be the means Of bringing
into lie the dormant energies OF u vast
number OF Christians who now appeared
10 be somewhat lacking in zeal, and ad.
vance the cause OF the Church generally.
OTHER SPEAKERS.
Many other Clergymen and several lay
men spoke to the question. DR.. Peter
kin, OF Richmond, probably made the
longest address; but he has always re-
gRrded the subject ns one OF great
solemnity, and evinced his deep, pions
interest in the matter to the complete
satisfaction oil every one in the Council.
He stated that his mind had been fully
made up until within the past few days.
DR.. Minnigerode, on the other hand,
seemed ready for n vote. He thought
that II the General Convention could be
satisfied that a sufficient sum could be
secured for the support Of bishop it
would be best to let the State 60.
Colonel John NJ. Patton, when the
Council appeared to be getting weary Of
the subject, and when calls for the "ques.
tion" had been repeatedly made, after
each speaker took his seat, gained the
ear Of the Bishop, and spoke in advocacy
Of Dr.. Peterkin's proposition. lie told
two or three anecdotes, and not only put
the body in good humor, but brought
out hearty laugh, even from the good
Bishop.
The debate, rs | have said, was very
exciting at hines, and was protracted un.
duly. Among the most amusing speakers
was Rev. r. II. Mason, Of Wcst Virginia,
who brought into his talk his favorite
theme ofapostolic succession. lie kept
the Council in laugh nearly all the
time he was talking, But this is nothing
unusual.
LAST NIGHT.
might prolong tlis notice OF the dis.
cussion OF the division question to con-
siderable length, but it is now TOO late,
Last night the church was thronged, the
subject Of foreign missions being under
consideration. 1t was rumored in the
afternoon that noted soprano Of one Of
the choirs OF your city would sing an
opening solo, and all eyes were levelled
at the choir gallery. They were disap-
pointed, however; and afterwards heard
that in view Of tie Bishops addressi in the
morning il had been deemed best that she
should not sing.
THE OPINION CT THE LAWYERS.
The committee appointed last evening
on the constitutional question OF the
vote on the West Virginia division pres.
sentcd their report this morning. Ii is a
very lengthy document, to the effect that
it only required majority vote.
The vote was then taken on the resolu.
tion making aseparate diocese by the line
Of the West Virginia boundary, and the
resolution was adopted by the following
vote. Ayes-Clerical, 81; lay, 95. Noes
Clerical, 4; lay, 10.
Among those voting in the negative
was Major ]. II. Claiborne, Of Richmond.
DR.. Feterkin, Of Richmond, and Rev.
Mr.. Sans, Of Manchester, were excused
from voting. Many OF the clerical and
lay delegates were absent. After the
vote was announced the Bishop read his
written statement, according TO the ca
mons Of the Church, giving his consent 10
the separation.
The Council then took recess for re-
ligious services.
After service Rev. DR.. Morton, Of Alex
andriA; Rev. DR.. Hanckel, Of Charluttes-
vile: Rev. DR.. Minnegerode, Of Rich
mond, and Rev. Dr.. Gibson, OF Peters
burg, were elected delegates on the part
Of the clergy, and Messrs. W. II. Shelley,
Of Staunton; Walter II. Taylor, Of Nor.
folk; Judge Thompson, Of Wheeling, W.
Va, and Judge Parker, Of Winchester,
were elected delegates on the part Of the
laity, TO the General Convention, which
meets, in Boston in October next,