Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1902-04-05
rHg ~orES LETTER. :


,rttrr'. % MIR. Roberts, addressed to Hen. 4 j
sshn Coode. Of the constitutional con |"
rrntion. to be read before that body. was {
made public IL was an attack on Or,
+ c. Tvier. president Of William and ,
Mary College. aud Hon. \. Stubs,
yice-president OF the board OF visitors.
It's effect was 70 drive away more of Mr..
Roterts's parish;oners. ard IL has given
the. movement against the rector a
strong impetus
The letter was signed by MIR. Roberts
A rector Of Bruton church" The YES
Try took UP the matter and asked Mr..
Roberts TO withdraw the communica-
zion. the resolution stating that the YES
| try was not in sympathy with it. This
resolution was drawn BY one of MIR.
| Roberts, best friends in the vestry. The
-ector, some of the vestrymen say. said |
| he was done with the matter, aud that |
| se would withdraw the letter. But after /
that a member Of the constitutional con- |
-entiou is alleged 20 have received a let |
ter fron Mr. ROSeats asking him 10 give
he "opcu letter" now changed so as
not TO bear the official signature, the
widest circulation
Mr.. Roberts however. informed US
that be never said he would with
.trav The open letter. but that he would
strike out the words, rector Of Brutou
church"
This matter has been the subject Of
discussion at more than one subsequent
Meeting of the vestry. and Il Is said very
lain Language was used By both sides.
1T recent meeting an attempt was mad,
TO erpunge from the record ali previous
.ctions and resolutions PERTAINING 70 the
open letter" but proved unsuccessful
The general sentiment in the town and
a The congregation was largely against Mr..
J. Roberts, in 50 FAR as his actions affected
William and Mary College. the attack
r upon Ito president andthe vice.prrsident
r % Its board Of visitors. being CONSTRUED
K To mean an attack on the college. one o.
y wllEsrnshurg's most cherished insdtu
lions. This Mr.. Roberts disclaimed. say
= 'ng hrs object was 20 get the State e
10 take over the property and get tor hi
" college larger appropriations.
-e- The citv council passed resolutions con
as dernuiug the open letter " The, studen;
- f,odv OF William and Mary passed strong
D. er resolutions. as did slso the Episcopo
p students Of that institution, as well q
ay the faculty itself
'p' BISHOP APPEALED TO.
"a The Episcopal students ApPealeds
Bishop Randolph. but be only wrote
erRreply 70 express his regrets at the sta
red If afIAirs existing in the parish.
ate From, that day TO this. when the CO
uld gregstion is so divided that even membe
Ute Of families are on the verge OF estraul
rneut over the trouble. has the brea
ON widened-
lper Those who have cast their ballots
ton a new vestry did so with the honest CO
any viction that the rector cannot un
u a his cougrega ton. that his power for s.
ON cessful work in the parish has gone, q
TINS that Il % absolutely necessary 10 hav
change for the good Of the church. a
SING not through personals feelings against
a, rector. Some Of those who believe
should resign as rector are his perso
friends and regret beyond expression
I4ox. dissensionsin the parish But apparer
,utb. the very life of the parish IS atstake,
:, that is what really actuates majci
A. z Of thofe vko voted for a Yea
which. II elected. win undoubtsdly ask
~ poA.rvss'~ ressguotiou
}. T. For several days actual open elect
N. l.. ee-ing bad been going on. Both $
A.V. have done this. which goes 20 illust
NTH. the intensity II the feeling and the
dition Of the parish. The first tilt
latter tween the opposing elements occurs
Il at a vestry meeting held 20 elect judge
the election Of vestrymeu. The
tors aide won. exciting two of the
Judges. His opponents say that
Judges were not elected properly. IN
''""' the rector himself voted. which
~'''''' claim Is contrary to the eanons {
church. The canon says the recto
only vote in case Of a tie vote, no
nature personal 10 him.
0Do@y' Rev. Mr.. Roberts IS man ofuLd
~ '~o ed ability. a sorceiui writer and sp'
scholar and tbeologian. His sch'
'es "nu attachments arc recognized here an
esoi = makes the situation the more c
RAISING.
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