Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-04-09

RECTOR AND vEsrRY.
The Controversy i'm the Ascension Par.
fsh-A Statement by the Vestrymen
Opposed to DR.. Elliott.
The members of the vestry of Ascension
church, who voted for the resolution adopted
by the vestry January Goth last, calling upon
Rev. j. II. Elliott, rector of Ascension parish to
resign, have prepared, published and circulated
among the pew holders a statement of their
complaints against the rector. At the Easter
Monday election, when the successors of four of
the present vestry will be chosen, the members
OF the parish will decide by their votes whether
they will sustain the action of the majority of
has been circulated is intended to inform men,
bers of the parish of the reasons that influenced
the majority of the vestry in asking for the
rector resignation. 1t reviews at length what
has been done at the various meetings of the
vestry since January, and has already been
given to the public through THE STAR, and
presents statement OF the financial affairs of
the church during the thirteen years that Rev.
Mr.. Elliott has been successfully associate rec
tor and rector. A table showing the revenues
of the church during those years is as follows:
In 1874. $4,164.90; in 1875, SI,147.61; in
IN 1873 is as sis:2 in in 1883 1888
S7,530.3o; in 1881, s6,7s3.O1: in 1882.
s5,9s4.o4; in 1888. s6.66o.15; in 1884,
ment asserts that the revenues during the past
two years fell short by $500 of the expendi-
lures. The statement urges THAT without a
vitalizing anew Of the parochial interests the
parish will ere long have but a memory OF its
former prosperity and harmony" In answer
to the assertion that the building debt had de-
tered many from becoming members of the
parish the statement gives figures to show that
of the 132 holders of pews or seats eighty-five
have been added to the church during the past
five years, when the agitation of the debt was
active, and during the past three years. when
the agitation was at its height, the number. of
has hoe Varfx five for
cause, 1T is argued, the church cannot hold
those who from time to time join it. What
is the cause?" is asked. at has not been the
debt, for, as already shown, the great majority
of your present number has been added to the
parish in spite of the debt. Not to delay an
swer to this we reply: The present rector of the
parish is this cause. What are the qualities of
the successful rector of IA parish such as ours?
BISHOP 70 test our rector "b by S the
high standard of his predecessor may be con-
coded scarcely fair; but how near the admins
ard we may yet inquire" Complaint is made
OF the action of the rector in various mat
tiers. 1t is alleged that after being refused an
associate rector by the veStry, on the ground
that it was not needed and the ministration OF
the church in respect of religious service did
not seem so burdensome as to require more
than one person to discharge, DIR. Elliott APP
pealed from the pulpit to the congregation, ask
ing voluntary contributions to support an assist
ant. 1t is charged, Also against the rector, that
at the last Easter Monday election after one
meeting had organized and elected certain YES
had chosen certain vestry imam in place of a gem
tieman whom the rector disliKed. 1t is alleged
that the rector has, in various reprehensible
ways. asserted and maintained his dominance
in the parish; that from time to time there
have been created between him and individual
| members of the vestry strained relations TO the
extent even OF involving questions OF veracity;
that it has been the rectors practic of forestal-
ing the action OF the vestry as body by inter-
viewing beforehand those of its members whom
he thought safe to approach; that he sought to
accomplish the severance of the official relation
TO The parish of an incumbent whose position,
as he has admitted, he intended rendering so
distasleful as to provoke a resignation, and that
the existence of pastor in the parish is all but
unknown to the hearts and homes of the great
body of the Pensioners. The statement closes
by saying: "F'rom considerations that must
| suggest themselves to all, and make even this
tardy discharge OF our duty more painful than
there is need to say, We have until now endured
and overlooked all that is here suggested. but
in the light of more recent events and feeling
that we have at last arrived at a point at which
our continued silence could no longer COM
mand the approval of our consciences, a. it has
long ceased to command that OF our judgment,
we reiterate the declaration of our resolutions:
THAT in the opinion OF this vestry the interests
OF the parish will he best subserved by a change
in its rectorship.'"
THE MINORITY PREPARING A REPLY.
The minority members of the vestry of
Ascension church propose TO prepare a reply to
the statements addressed by the majority to
the members of the parish. This reply will be
ready in a few days, and one of the minority
said to STAR reporter that the figures given TO
show the decay of the church could easily be
shown to be incorrect. 1t could be shown, on
the other hand, that since the debt question has
been settled the church has grown and pros
pered. "The statement prepared by the ma
jority,' he continued, "while it is well written
is mere wind, and we will show that it is such"
Women as Senators.
MR.EUSrIS DOESN'T WANT FEMALE COLLEAGUES
In the Senate yesterday Mr. Eustis offered an
amendment to the Washington Territory bill
to restrict suffrage, if the Territory be admitted
to male citizens He made humorous speech
against woman suffrage. He said the bill
clearly recognizes the right of female suffrage
in Washington Territory, and if passed the
Senate might have q woman knocking at its
doors with full credentials as Senator. She
might be admitted, said Mr.. Eustis, and that
would solve the problem of secret sessions. He
also intimated that it would be difficult to get
Information as to the precise age OF ladies COM
ing into public life.
Senator Beck said, soto voce, that the ques-
ton of retirement on account of age would
never arise.
Mr.. Eustis continued, saying that long as
the right of woman suffrage existed in
that Territory he would never vote for its ad-
mission.
Senators Hoar and Edmunds defended
woman suffrage and conceded the right of the
people of state or territory to determine this
matter for themselves. Senator Brown also be-
lieved that this was a matter that belonged en-
tirely to the people.