The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-06-20

Throughout the Episcopalian diocese
Of West Virginia there Ia general In
teFest In the special diocesan conven-
ton, which is to be held at Clarksburg
or Parkersburg, more likely the former.
during the coming month for the pur-
pose OF electing Il coadjutor bishop Of
West Virginin, who will assist Bishop
PeterkIn in conducting the diocesan
work. IL. J
Three clergymen have been promi-
nently mentioned for the office. These
are Rev. Jacob Birmingham. rector Of
st. Luke's church, Wheeling Island;
Rev. B. NJ. Spur. rector Of Trinity
church, Moundsvile, and Rev, DR.. s.
Soollay Moore, rec tor Of Trinity church.
in Parkersburg.
Tho claims Of each of the trio are
being persIstently forwarded by their
friends. OF the three. Mr.. Birmingham
will probably command the most sup
port. He Is eminently qualified md
fitted for the work that would come to
him as Bishop Peterkln's coadjutor,
and his multitude Of friends In the
four Wheeling congregations Of the
Protestant Episcopal church would be
delighted II he were fortunate enough
to be elevated to the higher office. AS
rector Of st. Luke's during the past
ten years. his has been q record to be
envled by any clergyman of his derlom-
ton small In numbers and Of modest
financial strength. 1t has In the decade
just ended shown rapid growth numer-
ically, has become strong financially,
and in parish work has been an exam
pie of enterprise and good manage
ment. This general result has been
due to Mr.. Brittinghnm more than to
any other man. and that he would en-
ter the conductors chair we'll equipped
for the work Of a more extended field
none will galnsay,
Mr.. Spur. too, has many friends who
would like to see him elevated to the
coadjutorship. and they point with
pride to his record In charge Of Trim
ity parish at Moundsvllle.
DR.. Moore's claims are warmly urged
by his friends. especially those in Par
kersburg. where he has seen long and
honorable service at the head Of one Of
the largest and most influential
parishes Of the diocese.
Neither of the three Is an avowed
candidate for the coadjutorship, in fact
1t Is not likely there will be any avow-
ed candidates, such course being gen.
orally considered beneath the dignity
Of clergyman.
The coadjutor will be elected by the
clergymen Of the diocese and before
the election Is complete the choice Of
the clergy must receive the conhrmn-
ton OF the laymen. In the past the
clergy and laity have seldom clashed,
but only recently In Delaware the la!ty
held out against the clergy, Insisting
upon the election Of Bishop Clayton,
and after long struggle they carried
their point.
Some amusement has followed the
break made a few days ago by two
Wheeling supporters Of Mr.. Spur. One
said he would be willing to spend $500
to secure his candidates election, and
the other was willing to go $500 better.
When asked how they would go about
using this money In q convention Of
clersymen, one Of the pair (who by
the way, is known prominently In the
political field. said "he guessed the
preachers had to pay railroad fare, and
he would send them railroad tickets
and q request that they support his
man." Some Of his friends enlightened
the gentleman to the extent OF letting
him know that Episcopalian conven-
lions were not on the level Of political
conventions.