The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-09-22
OTHER SIDE.
Rev. ]. LeeCh Porter
Makes a Statement.
The Pawtucket Rector Denies
All the Charges Made.
Says Vestry Is Not All Against Him
and Parish Is With Him.

Rev. j. Leach Porter, rector of TRINITY
Episcopal Church of Pawtucket, denies
the charges that have been made against
him, declares that the vestrymen are not
opposed to him in any such degree as
represented, that he has the sympathy
and support Of the parish, and has
brought suit for damages In the sum Of
200 against the Pawtucket Post,
where the story of the affair first ap-
peared In print.
Mr.. Porter told a NEWS reporter yester-
day that the statement that he owed club
debts was falsehood. He said his dues
were paid to Nov. ! next and there was
not a bill against him. The insinuation
that he had INDUCED In high living at
the The Kalen Club was not fair, as be
bad never eaten but one supper there in
the whole time of his embership Of
about year. He says his debts in the
town to tradespeople amount only to
about SOS, and as his salary is 500 a
month he does not deem thst his liza bill
tiles are OF size or a nature to make any
talk about unless some one has personal
Ieheou luz iuJurinR nlui'
or course the rector cannot be made
to resign IL he does not choose to with
out action Of the bishop, the rules OF
the Episcopal Church providing no other
method for the severance of the relations
between rector and parish. Mr.. PORTER
says that he is informed that at the
meeting Of the vestry at which his resig-
nation Was asked the vote stood to 8,
with one vestryman not voting and
that one vestryman--the whole hody Is
composed OF 13-has resigned because Of
the action taken, while .others have
stated that they would take a similar
step as soon as matters were clesred..up.
ur. PORTER further states that Junior
Warden JOHN ERNEST CARLNER told him
that the result Of the vestry meeting
was complete surprise to him (CLAR-
NER) ana that he considered that Mr..
PORTER possesses the capacity and talent
to successfully conduct the affairs of Trim
ity Parish. He assured the.rector OF the
friendly feelings and the great interest
he took in him and said that they were
trying to make him the scapegoat for the
action OF the vestry.
The rector further feels that the parish
as parish is very much on his side,
does not wish his resignation and many
members have expressed their sympathy
for him and their indignation at the ac-
tion OF the vestry.
Mr.. Porter referred to the matter in his
sermon on Sunday. He said: "The un-
fortunate occurrences OF the past week
have been brought about by falsehood
ana treachery. They. are not only an In
jury to me, but TO the church and Chris
tianity. My reputation has suffered not
alone In this city, but all over New Eng
land, as every paper copied the monstrous
piece OF slander. My reputation has been
destroyed; my words are made quate to
express my contempt.
81 ask not pity from those who have
brought this scandal upon me-" said
the rector in his sermon, "but promise
you, my Christians, that will see justice
done. No true worker in the church
would have assisted In doing this thing,
which can only destroy the good name of
the church. Any man IL liable to make