New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-03-27
TO STOP THE CONSOLIDATION.
ARGUMENTS IN THE ST. STEPHENS. HOLY
TRINITY CASE-DENYING THAT THERE
WAS A CONSPIRACY.


The application for an injunction to restrain the
rectors, church wardens and vestrymen from taking
action toward the consunmaton Of the agreement TO
consolidate st. Stephens Protestant Episcopal Church
with Holy Trinity Protestant Episcopal Church was
argued before Judge Allen in the Court of Common
Pleas yesterday James Maclaury. one of the vestry-
men, was the plaintiff and he was represented by
David Bennett King. The treasurer of II. stephens
Mr.. Blackhurst. and another of the veStrymen, MI
Fleming. although appearing as defendants IN this
action. really opposed to the proposed consoda
ton and they represented by William H. llamil-
ton and ex-Surrogate Daniel G.. Rollins. Charles
Blandy, Edmund Luis Mooney and Andrew j. Slipman
appeared for the other defendants. Mr.. Hamilton
spoke first opposing the consultations MI Blandy
then followed He read affdavits made by the Rev
Drs Hart, of st. stephens, and stanger, Of Holy
Trinity, in which they denied that there was any
conspiracy on their part in having the resolution
passed at the meeting Of the vestIy and church
wardens. favoring the consolidation. letter ron
Bishop Potter also read in which the latter de-
clared that he and he only the originator OF the
project to consolidate the two churches and that
DR.. Hart knew nothing about it until he. the BISHOP
had brought the subject TO his attention.
Concerning the allegation which had been made that
st. stephens practically giving Holy Trinity
81 900 and receiving nothing in return. Mr. Blandy
produced figures which showed that the property OF
the latter corporation worth about 900 and
remain property worth $4,000. The imputaon that
Dr. Hart had agreed 10 accede 10 the proposal after
lie had been told that he would be made rector emeritus
at yearly salary OF 81 500. whereas his salary as
rector OF st. stephens only $780, Mr.. Blandy
pronounced as false and he read affidavit ty Dr.
Hart in which the latter declared that it was after
the greement TO consolidate had been arrived at and
the vestrymen of the two churches had held a meet
ing that the proposition 10 make him rector emeritus
made and that proposition was first made by the
vestrymen of Holy Trinity
Mr. Biandy declared that the congregation at the
Sunday morning services Of st. stephens numbered
on an average fifty persons and twenty five including
the members Of the sunday hool AT the afternoon
services The yearly expenses OF running St stephens
he declared amounted to $1,000 and IT was Only
question of time when the entire property would be
used I'D 10 minister 10 the spiritual welfare OF 80 few
persons simply because few old women objected 10
the consolidation. ExSurro-ate Rollins then spoke
for the plaintiff and he said that ninetcnhs OF the
congregation opposed to the consolidation and
he thought their rights ought 10 be respected. lie
also raised question 0f the jurisdiction Of the Court
OF Common Pleas.
The counsel have until Monday 70 hand in ad
dona briefs and then Judge Allen Will take the case
under consideration.