The Washington times., 1902-02-13
Prominent Men of the Dis
triCt Present a Petition.
IS APPEALED TO AS A CITIZEN
Members of His Church Not
Among the Signers.
A POPULAR MOVEMENT.
Rector Of ST. Johns Protestant Epis-
copnI Church Asked Not TO Accept
Office of Conductor of the Diocese
of Pennsylvania.

of Pennsylvania.
If prominent citizens of Washington can
prevent it, DR.. Maekay-Smith viii not re
linquish the rectorship of St. Johns Pro-
testant Episcopal Church, to accept the
Office OF coadjutor of the diocese OF Penn
sylvania.
Commissioner Macfarland and former
Commissioner Wight called on the Rev.
Or. Alexander Mackay-Smith yesterday
afternoon and presented to him the fol-
lowing appeal from representative citizens
of the District, telling him that the names
appended had all been signed during the
day, with the heartiest expressions OF in
terest, and that hundreds more would
have signed. if time had permitted.
Text of Appeal Presented.
Those who did sign, Commissioner Mac
farland said represented, he believed, the
general desire of the people of the District
of Columbia. Only those who were not
connected with ST. Johns Church were
permitted to sign. The petition follows:
we, the undersigned, citizens of Wash
ington, though not connected with your
congregation. approaching so highly your
value as a citizen in our community. beg
to express the hope that in connection
with the call which has recently come to
you to remove to Philadelphia, you may
find it consistent with duty to remain
with US in Washington. You have been
always so desirable a citizen in every way
that We cannot think OF your going away
from US without realizing a sense Of now
serious Il loss your departure would be-"
Those Who Signed Petition.
The petition was signed by the follow
ing:
Henry B. F. Macfarland. Charles J. Bell.
Henry F. Blount, James E. Fitch, Thomas
C. Hyde, Charles c. Glover. John Hay. E.
Southland Parker. S. W. Woodward. John
Joy Edison, John r. Mclean, Beriah VIII
kins, S. II. Kaufman, John W. Foster,
John H. Wilson. George ". McLanahan,
Alexander Graham Bell, John B. Wight,
Edward NJ. Gallaudet, Theodore W. Noyes,
Edward J. Stellwagen, and Stanton ].
Peelle.
Addressed as Citizen.
Commissioner Macfarland added that
the appeal was addressed to DR.. Mackay-
Smith as a citizen whose public spirit
and generosity were known and valued
by all other citizens, and not as a rector
DR.. Mackay- Smith said that he appreci-
ated deeply this unexpected expression
and that it would have due weight in his
consideration of the decision, which he
had not yet rrade. He felt grateful to all
III, y
service here had gratifed him more.
Matter Is in Allegiance.
1t is understood that DR.. MackaySmith
has reached a decision in regard to the
matter, but last night he declined to state
whether he would or would not accept the
offer made by the Philadelphia Confer
ence.
1T is due to the convention, said DR..
Mackay-Smith, Ito give my determine
ton to it before anyone else. l can say
nothing about it at this time. further
than that the matter is in allegiance"
1t is believed that DR.. Mackay-S Smith
has already made up his mind.
Board of Arcbdeacons Meets.
At st. Johns Parish Hall, adjoining
81 JoHh 5, meeting Oh the executive
committee of the Board of Archdeacons
was held yesterday afternoon. Business
in regard to the care of discharged
prisoners convicted by the Police Court
nof the District OF Columbia, was trans
oacted.
St Johns Church is doing good work
IA the care OF these unfortunates, and
ne meeting yesterday WAS the regular
monthly gathering OF those interested in
tho work.
20 Rev. DR.. MackaySmith presided as
chairman. It was after this meeting that
the petition of citizens was presented by
the president of the Board of Commits
sioners, Mr.. Mcfarland and his imIne-
eaate predecessor. oX-Commissioner
-..isht.