New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-01-23
TROTBLE IN A CHURCH CHOIR.
MRS HATTIE CLAPPER MORRIS RESIGNS HER
PLACE IN ST. BARTHOLOMEW
AFTER RECEIVING A LETTER
FROM THE ORGANISE

Mrs Hattie Capper Morris. a prominent teacher OF
vocal music and for eleven years the solo alto OF ST.
Bartholomew Church. has handed in her resgna-
ton from the choir and II has been accepted. This
action. coming four months before the expiration OF
her yearly contract with the church. has caused con-
siderable surprise and comment The first intlmaton
that the congregation had Of such action was last
Sunday. when 1t noticed that Mrs. Morris was
not in her usual place with the quartet Upon in
quiry It learned that trouble Of some kind had
taken place in the choir. the result Of which was
that Mrs Morris would no longer he heard as the
solo alto OF the church
Mrs. Morris by Tribune reporter yester
day afternoon at her home. The Ariston. Fftyffth-
and Broadway. She said that 1t true that she
had resigned her place in the church. and that she
had done at the request Of the organst and choir
master. Richard Henry Warren. Mrs. Morris did not
to into the details Of the affair but her hus-
band, George F. Morris. related the facts to the re-
porter. Mr.. Morris said that one day last week, while
special messenger into her hands from Mr. Warren.
The .etter was handed TO the reporter 10 peruse II
st. Bartholomew's Church had been placed in Mr..
Warren's hands. and that he begged to inform Mrs.
Morris that change would be made In The position
would not be renewed at the end OF the present year
such change, and it was suggested that Mrs.
Morris might hand in her resignation. giving any
out to the members of the congregation Mr. Nor
ris said that his wife had been completely taken
connected with the choir eleven years and hal
also been member of the church for ar almost
equal length Of time He said that for the last few
treatment At Mr.. Warren's hands, bur she had no
idea that 1t would result In her thus being dis
missed from the choir Mr. Morris said that he
had called upon DR.. David II. Greer pastor OF ST.
Bartholomew. for an explanation and that Or.
Greer had simply confirmed the fact that MIR War
rem had been placed in sole charge of musical mat
tiers in the church. also saying that he had seen
Greer had finally admitted that. reason for
dos no had ipfor mod
him that Mrs: Morris was the one weak spot in
the quartet Mr. Morris remarked that one Of DR..
Greer's daughters was pupil at the time, of Mrs.
Morris. Mr. Morris said that. In view OF her long
service In the church. she felt keenly the treat
ment which had been accorded her At first she
had thought OF bringing the matter to the atten-
ton Of the vestry of the church for their investi
CATION. but second thought had decided 10 let
the matter rest and simply resign her place giving
no reason for doing This she had done. Mr..
Morris said he had yesterday who
had called upon Mr.. Warren in regard TO the affair
and that in explaining the case OF Mrs. Morris
Mr.. Warren had implied that he had taken the
action he had at the request or suggestion of the
pastor.
Mrs. Hattie, Clapper Morris Is we'll known to the
musical world. She and Emma Juch made tour
of this country with Theodore Thomas and his
chestra OF late she has devoted herself to teach
ing, having pupils.