The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-05-21
Believed He VIII Plead Illness as
Cause of Trouble.
VESTRY TO FORCE THE ISSUE.
IL II SAID That ~. James Parish in Eu-
fauia May Demand - Trial Be
fore a Court Of Bisbopsf
NeceSsary-5ishop
Jack SON Com
sidering.

MONTGOMERY. ALA, May 0.-Sse-
ciaL-As far as is known Right Rev. IL.
Melville Jackson. bishop of the Episcopal
Diocese of Alabama who Is understood
90 have been asked by the Alabama clergy
TO resign. mas made no reply to the re-
quest, and the matter rests there for the
present ON the part OF the clergy it Is
understood that q committee is actlag and
conierrlns with him.
There are no reliable indications as 10
what he viii do but II IS believed here he
viii refuse to resign OF The ground that
his condition upon the occasion which
gave rise 10 the trouble ana which he
says was produced by sickness cannot be
used to make him appear in the eyes OF
the public as an intemperate man.
MAY FOE-G THE ISSUE.
The impression prevails further that the
vestry OF ST. james church in Eu.aula,
whose Complaints about Bishop Jackson
stirred ub the controversy in the Church
throughout the State and filled the pa
pers full of che AFFAIR. viii not let mat
ters drop but If necessary Will force the
issue tO a trial before a court OF bishops
Ilt hop Jackson Is now at lis home
'Lo-ean1. about five miles from
Eutluia.
The request OF the clergy OF Alabama
Tor the resignation of Bishop Jackson was
made on May 3d. At the opening OF the
Council, Bishop Jackson was not present.
telegram WAS read from him that ne
was absent by reason Of the Illness of hi.
father. An effort was made TO keep
from the public The fact that the clergy
had requested Bishop JacksOn's resigna-
ton which was done lu Christian way
and with the understanding that the
Bishop should be aided in securing
portion Of the salary for five years 10
come. Bishop Wilmer. who is quite old
and inhrm. was present at the Council.
and f. is underst ood he approved of the
action of the Council upon certain condi-
tions.
TAKE TIME TO CONSIDER.
on the following day Bishop Jackson
arrived at Admission where The Council
was held and there was "a conference Of
the clergy with HIM. The result Of this
was that Bishop Jackson replied 20 the
clerical committee acting In the matter
that he would take time 60 consider the
Mutation. which he regarded a. one OF
great Importance
The trouble seems 20 have originated In
the Eufaula parish. whore Bishop Jack
son was reported to have been Indifferent
90 his duties and 10 have failed 10 have
visited parishes where candidates were
waiting 20 be- confirmed During the
spring ne entered upon his work with re-
Moved vis0r. bur just before Easter he
Went to Eurlu.o from his home near
by 10 take a train.
LETTERS OF COMPLAINT.
fiis conduct upon this occasion aroused
complaint on the part OF the vestry Of
81 James church. who wrote 20 Bishop
Wilmer about the matter ana sent a copy
of the letter 10 Bishop Jackron.
d was reported generally that Bishop
Jackson gave as reason for hi. conduct
that he had been iil az home and when
leaving took drink of whisky on an
empty stomach which produced an unfa-
vorlnie refuit thar caused disagreeablo
rum1rs far and wide
The matter has been widely discussed
an over the State and many rumors have
found their way into print