National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-05-26
MIR. coRcoRAN,s REs1eNAr1oN.

His Reasons for Leaving the yestry OF
Ascension Church ~ SGT Forth In His
Letter.
As much surprise has been expressed by
many Of the friends Of MIR. w. W. Cor
coTan that he should have resigned from
the vestry OF the Church OF the Ascension
and leave, as he has openly declared he has,
during the incumbency of the present
rector the church he IN great measure
built, having contributed thereto about
100000, and which he valued especially as
q memorial OF and to his cherished friend,
the late Bishop Pinkney, and especially as
Mr.. Corcuran's position appears TO have
been misunderstood and mlsstated by a
number of persons, and in some instances
by the public press, REPUBLICAN, re-
porter has obtained from member OF the
former vestry copy OF Mr.. Corcoran's let
ter Of resignation. This letter was sent by
BIN to the vcstry at the time Of its date,
but up to date he has received no reply be-
yond an acknowledgment of Its receipt aud
the statement that It had been referred to q
committee for consideration.
The letter is as follows;
WASHINGTON, May 3, 1ss6-To THE vEyrRY
OF the CHURCH OF THE AsCENsloN--GcHNcmeR
| hereby resign the office of vcstryman of the
Church of the Ascension to which, under
stand, was CHOSEN Mt the late election.
Some weeks ago the rector informed me by
letter that at meeting of pewholders called,
know not ut whose instance, my nnmc had
been designated as that of one of the candidates
TO be supported at the then approaching cleo
ton, In conjunction with several others cm-
braCcd in your present number. In reply i
wrote to the rector on the 9Th Of April. request
ing him to inform the pewholdcrs engaged In
this consultation that would not accept the
appointment for reasons specified, even II II
should be approved by the unanimous vote Of
the church. | asked, however, as Il favor
and as n tribute to sentiments cherished, at
least, by a portion Of tho members who still
reverence the memory of Bishop Pinkncy, that
might be allowed TO name member of the
church who should take my place on the
| ticket
The rector subsequently informed me by let
| ter, under date Of April 81, that 1t was the
| unanimous opinion OF the pewholders engaged
| in these deliberations rs expressed by formal
| resolution, that the gentleman whom | had
| designated should not be placed on the ticket.
The terms of this resolution were communi-
| Gated TO me by the rector, on behalf of tho
secretary" OF the meeting" though without
| giving ne the seCrCtnry's name or where the
| meeting was held or the names of the pew
holders engaged in this consultation.
| have never participated in any consultn-
| ton OF church members except Tor purposes OF
| unity and peace as broad Ms the whole church.
| Consultations looking to the asccndancy of a
| single party in the church do not command my
| respect or approval, and, at my time of life, !
can hardly be expected to change this settled
| conviction Of duty.
Even II had no other reason for declining
| the appointment Of vcstryman, l could not,
| consistently, act with vestry which, in the
| mode of its nomination and election, seems to
| me the choice Of party in the church, when,
| By showing some respect TO the views OF Others
| and by accepting the terms of n fraternal re.
| Cancellation, IL would have been so easy. to
make the election the choice of an undivided
| church. Yours respectfully,
| W. w. CoRCORAS.