New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-04-06
MEMBERS STORM CHURCH.
POLICE STOP VIOLENCE
Hundreds. Barred from Westminster
Election, Threaten IN Rain.

Following recent troubles between the Rev.
James Lloyd Lee, pastor Of the Westminster
Presbyterian Church. in West 23d-st.. and his
followers and an apparently equal number Of
dissenting parishioners. a climax was reached
last night, when. in spite of the severe storm.
hundreds of both factions assembled at the
church to hold the annual elections for deacOns
elders and trustees. Hundreds barred, stood in
the rain. These declared that only those sup
porting the pastor were admitted.
roundsman and seven policemen were re-
quired to preserve order,
1t was asserted that women were present who
had not attended service in years. and that chill
dren we're there by scores. who had been brought
from boarding schools and colleges. some of
them many miles from Nev-York. Practically
every member of she congregation. whether a
member Of the church or not, who could get to
the church was there.
There were two meetings. The first was TO
elect descous and members Of the board OF
ruling elders. At this meeting only members of
the church could vote. The second meeting was
to elect trustees for 1903. and here any one who
attended the church regularly and contributed
toward it's support could vote. Within the last
few months five deacors have been removed by
Dr. Lee and his friends. They are Walter
Findlay James Johnson, Matthew Galbraith,
John w Stanley and F. Gustave Kindlun- Their
friends wished to fill their vacancies
Dr. F. A Carpenter. who was barred from the
meetings said that every one outside was III
good standing. Mr.. Galbraith. one of the Ousted
deacons went to the vestry door and demanded
to be admitted He denounced the pastor and
shouted his denunciations. The police inter
fered. Four adherents of the pastor were sta
toned at the vestry and main entrances. They
had long lists of those to be barred These lists.
il was said included the ''145' who had de-
manded the pastors removal and many others.
When these arrived. in carriages and afOot, they
were not allowed to enter. The opposition had
placed ticket in the field. but it was declared.
there was no chance for any one to vote for it.
None of its supporters could get in. This ticket
was:
Deacons-John w. Powell. J. Edgar Powell
and Donald Ross.
Ruling elders-John T. Stanley. Frederick A.
Carpenter and Thomas Hanna
Trustees-John R. Buchanan. John W. Stan
ley and Thomas Hanna.
The opposition said that Mr. Lees scheme was
to get control Of the ruling boards so that he
could do as he wished in the church Talk Of
selling the church was even hinted at. at the
hands of Mr. Lee. The church has nine elders
Three are to be elected every year Mr. Lees
scheme the opposition said. was to elect six
elders instead of three, thus making the board
twelve instead of nine. Then he would have the
ruling power in the board. Then. it was said.
Mr. Lee would put motion that the elders be
substituted for the board of trustees. and this
would be the final straw whereby the opposition
would he beaten.
1t was said that friend Of Mr.. Lee named
stanton presided at the opening meeting inside
He was charged with allowing no chance what
ever for few of the opposition who were not on
- a0t- To 7O
thing. Several attempts were made by the OppO-
sition to oppose motions. but they were said to
have been ignored
Mrs John D. CIuss. whose husband was re-
Gently removed as an elder by decision OF
Justice Truax, and who had not attended the
church for a long time. last night drove there
in her carriage. Admission was refused her,
and she was one Of the loudest in denOuncing
the pastor.
When the first telephone message for reserves
was received at the West 2Oth-st. station by
Sergeant Timms he paid no attention to it, At
intervals of about fifteen minutes three other
demands came Captain DAILY sent three men
and a roundsman. Soon afteTward the barred
members began TO flock to the station and 20
denOuuee the pastor and ask for his arrest for
holding the church against the members Inc
captain held that the fact that Mr. Lee held
the fort" was not police matter but the ue-
mands for more police became so insistent that
four more men were sent.
About $50 O'Clock there was crowd OF
about 800 persons. many OF them women and
children in front of the church Someone sug-
gested that the heavy gates at the main en-
trance be torn down. the four guards pushed
aside and an entrance forced Some Of the hot
headed ones started to do so. but cooler heads
and the police. as secOnders. prevented any such
disturbance.
Of trustees was done away with and the elders
vested with its powers. The pastors salary
was increased $500 BY his own request. and q
vote OF confidence was passed in him and the
officers OF the church
pEwETs PORT WINE AND GRAPE JUICE.
Cannot be exeeued for the sick
n. T. Dewey Sons Co. l2S Fulton St.. New YORK