New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-02-04
pROTESTANT PRIMATE!
RIrMORs ABOUT AN ARCHBISHOP VT
WASHINGTON REVIVED
FEATURES OF THE PROPOSED PLAN IN THE '''0'-
rsTANT EPISCOPAL CHrRCH-"HAI 10

,,,.,r,.prs OF THE PROPOSED PLAN IN THE PROT
rsr,yT EPISCOPAL cHuRcH-wHAT IS
SAID BY CLERGYMEN
rho s,orv ~ an archbishop of Washington and
Primus.'' in the Protestant Episcopal Church III
America has been revived. Notwithstanding the eN-
p,,cit denial by Bishop Potter puDished I'D Inc
Tribune last Thursday. The alleged plan propose''
f. NAV be remembered. was TO DIVIDE 'he PieSc"'
dIocese of Maryland into two dioceses one Oh Which
should be Washington, with priHate vi "''"
hsbop at its head The latest versions OF the story
as embodied I'm a long account publisheu yeste'uaS'
bavo II that the example OF Monsignor SatoH III
establishing himself at the National Capital may
have had some influence in the supposer movement
TO have representation there for the Protestant
Episcopal body also. The Archbishop OF Washing
ton under the plan suggested. would nave no roic
mower than bishop. but 1t Is thought that the APP
polntment would promote the higher interests Oh
rho Church by placing at the seat OF the National
Government one OF the highest disntaries OF rro'
estant Episcopaliansm. The present prlmd''. WIZ
Is presiding bishop at all meetings OF the HOUSE
OF Bishops a deliberatvc body, Is the V'hei aoe
Bishop Williams. OF Connecticut. VINO hoids 'ne Va
flee by reason of having been consecrated Tor
longer time than any other bishop. According to
the new Arrangement Bishop Williams would nc
come Archbishop OF Washington. II the many
duties OF the post should require a younger man. IL
70 thought possible that the archbishopric would be
filed not by translation in the order or precedence
bu, by election in the House OF Bishops
The new order. however. could not come 10 pass
before lSas Even If 1t approved now by the
Commission the Revision Of the Constitution
and Canons, which appointed In baltimore laSt
October and meets in this city on February l. II
could bc acted upon until three years atter 'he
meeting OF the convention.
The vitality of the archb.shopric ruinor Is pre-
sun,cd to be due in some measure 10 the tendency
in some quarters OF the Protestant Episcopal Church
10 verge more and more toward Catholic forms ana
ceremonials The creation Cf an archbIsnopric "ouh
bv some people be thought only another step In
the same general direction.
The Rev Or. Charles C. Tiffany, the arch1"acon
Of this diocese. has said about the matter: yes the
matter has been discussed by prominent Episco-
palians such the Rev. Hall Harrison ana George
bancroft Davis but nothing official will be done
till February. There Is much opposition to the
plan as many think It unnecessary.
What Bishop Potter said In The Tribune last
Thursday. and repeated In substance yesterday was
a. follows: ANY statement that II is probable that
the Episcopal Church will have an archbishop III
Washington has no authoritative foundation what
eyer The scheme is one originated by few we'll
az. a r.rt II the diocese ~ Maryland from
purely local dilemma in connection with the mat
Ter OF it, division. But It has never been enter
iaineI in any authoritative commission or other
body representing the Episcopal 'hurcn ana II IS
extremely doubtful whether II would ma 'hcour-
ag.rncni II It were
The American people. he CONTINUED are not
greatly impressed by utglar assumption. ana tney
are no, eager to ecclesiastical bodies. whether
home bred or foreign brewcd. establishing mem
VI. ycs near the centre OF government. In" rin-
clplos OF the Constitution Of the United states OF
America ar" distinctly hostile to ecclesiastical IN
ferf.rcnce In local National governments. with
those principles the Episcopal Church y and mas
always been IN hearty sympathy. ana IL i NOT
likely that IL will he APT 20 take a step which
would provoke suspicion awaken apprehension
on the part % the people generally.
Even II This we're not the case any such action
a. that referred t. would De premature AMI I'M
practicable. The Episcopal Church In America has
nor set adopted tn" provincial system, ihat Is, me
grouping Of dioccscs around a strong centre. such
a. Bosion New-York. Philadelphia or Chicago.
over which q metropolitan bishop should have GER
tan limited general jurisdiction Int % has done
th.t an .rchhl- shop OF Washington would be a
gentleman IN a very uncomfortable condition. SIT
ling IN a chair which rests upon An extremely nebu-
.f..sI.