Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-10-20
A BIG TASK
The EpisopaIians to Set
tie Divorce Question.
Now Have Plan for a Years
Lapse Before Remarrying.
Bishop Potter Reports on Relations Of
Capital and Labor.

DcSt'ii, w. 1J.-ihil attempt ''S
made, today, by the committee on cam
ors Of the Episcopal House of Deputies
to arrange a compromise between that
body and the House of Bishops. The
Bishops had adopted an amendment
fOrbidding the remarriage of divorced
persons. while the deputies had de-
clined to adopt SO rigid a provision
Notwithstanding the fact that a major
ity of them took a stand similar to that
of the House of Bishops.
Today, the committee on canOnS Of
fered a resolution compelling divorced
persons seeking remarriage to wait one
year after the decree of the court has
been issued before the solemniZation of
the ceremony. By this resolution,
which referred to the innocent person
in a divorce for intidelity only. it was
hoped TO arrange an agreement at least
temporarily between the two forces.
After some debate the divorce issue
was made a special order for tomorrow.
The deputies devoted a large part Of
the day to the consideration of a re-
quest from several diocese for permits
sion to use the revised version of the
Bible in churches. When the house was
divided the request was refused by a
majority of both clerical and lay del
egatcS.
In the House of Bishops, today, Bish-
op Henry c. Potter of New York.
| chairman of the standing committee on
rela tons of capital and labor, present
ed lengthy report, which touched up
| or certain evils the committee found,
and discussed the industrial situation
at great length.
| Boston. Oct. 19-Both houses of the
Episcopal General Convention, which
was opened here, Oct. 5, have voted in
favor of final adjournment on Tuesday
next There is still much business to
be considered. but some of it will not
be disposed of until the next conven-
ton, which is to be held at Richmond.
Va, in 1907. 1t is understood that sew
eral resolutions bearing on the divorce
question will be referred to that con-
vention. although some of them will
be passed upon during the next week.
Several changes in the direction of
Strengthening and more clearly defin-
ing the regulations concerning divorced
persons have already been made, al
though the House of Deputies has thus
far declined to adopt a canon forbid
ding the remarriage of the innocent
person in a divorce for infidelity. The
deputies have yet to act upon the ques-
ton of cOncurring with the bishops
on their resolution which seeks to pre-
vent the re-marriage Of the innocent
party
The proposal to group the diocesses
into provinces, with a primate at the
head of each new district, submitted,
yesterday. has many opponents on the
floor of the convention, and it is con-
sidered that the matter will be refer
red to the Richmond conclave.
Today, the House of Deputies re-
stunned consideration Of the new canon,
establishing courts of review. to which
appeals from Diocesan trials can be
taken.
The annual meeting of the Massachu-
setts branch of the WOman's AuXil-
airy of the board of missions was held.
today. The proceedings We're opened
with n celebration of the Holy Com
munion in Trinity church. at which
Bishop Peter Trimble Rowe of Alaska,
was the preacher
voted to appoint a committee for the
purpose of petitioning Congress to erect
separate structures for Divine wor-
ship exclusively at army and navy
posts.
Rev. FIR. ]. Houston Eccleston of
baltimore, asked the unanimous con-
sent Of the house for the consideration
of an amendment to the divorce can
on adopted by the House Of Bishops,
| which voted in favor of forbidding the
remarriage of any divorced person.
Unanimous consent was not given but
| as twO-thirds of the deputies acceded to
Rev. DR.. EcclestOn's request he pre-
sented a lengthy report touching on the
whole subject. The report sought to
harmonic the situation and embraced
a resolution concurring with all ac-
tion by the bishops except that forbid
ding the remarriage Of the innocent
person. The committee on canons pro-
posed that no divorced person be ell
lowed to marry within one year after
the divorce was granted. the officiating
clergyman to be furnished with salts
factory evidence including a copy of
the court record.
| r. w. DI VI w Del.,
followed Rev. DR.. EcclestOn, deliver
ing a vigorous address commenting the
bishops canon and assailing the SUBJ
stitute offered by the Baltimore cler-
gyman. He charged that the policy Of
the minority in the house, Chose favor
ing the re-marriage of the innocent
person. was to do nothing in the face
of the growing and enormous evil.
When Mr.. Bradford remarked that the
reports of the committee on canons
bore on the face of it the stamp of sus-
picion, he was greeted with cries Of
"Oh! OH" and was admonished by
Chairman McKin to speak in order.
Continuing Mr.. Bradford declared that
/ the committees resolution was a COM
promise which was unjustifiable. The
handwriting was on the wall. he said.
and though the friends of the so-called
rigid canon might be defeated. they
! would go down with banners flying and