Los Angeles herald., 1891-03-25
REV. JOHN w. ELLIS.
m MAKES A STATEMENT RE
GARD1NG TREASURER FRASER.
He Charges Him with Either Gross Ig-
norance or Willful Maliciousness-His
Explanation Of the Allegations.

Rev. John w. Ellis has furnished the
following statement in reference to a
statement by Treasurer Hugh Fraser, OF
the San Francisco Tabernacle, which
was printed in the San Francisco Chron-
icle and reprinted here:
The statement of Mr.. Hugh Fraser
in the issue Of the Chronicle of the 21st
inst, in reference to my connection
with the Tabernacle of San Francisco,
is misleading, either through gross
ignorance or willful maliciousness. At
the time of the meeting of the officers
of the church alluded to, when the ac-
counts were all reviewed and every one
present satisfied, there was not sug-
gestion of intentional wrong presented.
Because / admitted errors amounting to
$50 in accounts embracing about $4,000
and items OF many kinds, ranging from
So up to $1,000 each. Mr.. Fraser con-
strues it into a confession of rguilt. /"
There was nothing to do but examine
the report. Not a suggestion of any
thing wrong had reached me or was
made that evening. Every church
OluCGI, Will OAC VI WV OASOPoAOAios wac
at the meeting. Mr.. Fraser knows that
the overcharge of $50 was the difference
between $275 and 1925 bid on arti-
fetal stone sidewalk. He knows
also that my report was taken
from the contract as let by the
trustees and stands in perfect harmony
with their books. Mr.. Fraser knows
that the error of ($3O) thirty dollars was
in an account OF more than ($lOOO) one
thousand dollars, in which there was
one over-charge and one failure to charge
three other items, which would be in
difference of thirty ($30) dollars. Since
that account was rendered several other
paid bills have been discovered and al
lowed by the trustees. And since leav-
ing home (having brought with me a
valise of old papers for use here) | find q
memorandum of three bills which I
paid and have not presented, such as
doorlocks, tin slips for pews, door and
window catches. Mr.. Fraser will al
low me to remind him of his report of
having paid the pastor the sum of about
$23, when it was but $18, and a COM
mittee of two detectives( p were required
to correct his bill, and if possible con-
Vluce ulu Dlu Hc IdlSc d Ulii Vi % lOT
personal gain, and did he confess his
guilt? Mr.. Fraser knows very we'll the
explanation of two hundred dol
lars received from an "estimable
citizen" and uses ill knowingly
out of joint and purposely to injure me.
Mr.. Fraser knows that he caused the
excitement in the presbytery, and
when he was admitted by special favor
to an interlocutory meeting where he
might be heard in religious body, the
presbytery, he goes out and openly
divulges the proceedings of the meeting.
Where, 1 ask, can such a man be
trusted? He will sacrifice his church,
his minister, his church official col
leagues, the presbytery, innocent and
unoffending households to the gratifica-
tion of his own sweet will, and to his
inordinate desire to remove any one
from the tabernacle" until he can
place his strong right thumb upon it
and be the Simon who calls thumbs up
or thumbs down as he may wish. / be-
lieve there is but one spirit existing be-
tween all the Christian and spiritual
elements of the tabernacle and myself,
and that is good will and peace. 1t re-
mains to be seen whether Hugh Fraser
shall become the lay-bishop of that
DeOplp