New-York tribune., 1905-11-29
RAP TOMBS CHAPLAIN.
Resignation ReUeaIs Many Charges
-Attack on Bishop Potter.

Following the announcement that the Rev.
J. J. Munro, the Presbyterian minister, who has
for some years represented the Gospel Mission
at the Tombs, had resigned his post as chaplain
at that prison, It developed yesterday that an
effort would be made to-day to sever his con-
nection with the Prison Gate Association. in
which he had been leading spirit jacob A.
Riis, who resigned as trustee Of the association
over week ago because Of dissatisfaction with
Mr.. Munro will appear before the other trustees
and ask that the clergyman be requested to re-
sign. Mr.. Riiss own resignation has not yet
been accepted, and, with the other matter, will
be considered at meeting to be held at $3.50
this morning at the Office Of the Rev Dr.. John
B. Devtns, chairman Of the trustees Of the
Prison Gate Association, in the Presbyterian
Building.
Although the officers Of the Gospel Mission to
the Tombs were unwilling to discuss the resig-
nation of Mr.. Munro yesterday, it was learned
from reliable sources that the alleged slurring
reference TO Bishop Potter, in connection with
the confirmation of a prisoner in the Tombs, was
not the real cause of the demonstration against
the chaplain. but merely OF number Of
minor incidents.
There was meeting Of the chief hackers Of
the mission at one Of the parish houses at which
the Rev. Mr.. Munro was present. He defended his
position vigorously, and produced a letter signed
by an official Of the Tombs telling Of the wonder
ful religious work he was doing among the prts-
* ssrs. The charge was made that the minister
had written the letter himself and secured the
signature by making certain promises.
After further investigation, It is said. Mr..
Munro's resignation as chaplain requested.
It was handed in, reading to take effect April
1 next. The members of the official board con-
slider that the resignation closes the matter and
will not discuss It beyond statement that no
charges were proved against Mr.. Munro.
When seen at his home in The Bronx, Mr..
Munro declared that he had handed in his res
ignation of his own free will, and that 1t had
in no way been forced He said that he re-
signed because Of the growing Importance Of
the Prison Gate Association, which he was In
strumental in organizing. He declared that the
charges had been trumped up because of his
reference to an Episcopalian bishop In
pamphlet published for ex-prisoners.
The reference to Bishop Potter was mads in
"Prison Gate Series No. 6" and read as follows:
can recall the case of bishop going tc
prison in regal splendor and flowing robes TO
perform useless and foolish ceremony Of con-
frrnation. After it over the Journalists
allowed the young man to rot in prison. They
tried neither to help his body or soul nor find out
If he was suffering wrongly or not
An Episcopalian clergyman declared yester-
day that the visit referred to was made by
Bishop Potter some three years ago to one
Fred Wagner, who was sentenced to nineteen
years in Sing Sing for the crime of arson. COM
mitted In this city. He showed extreme peni-
tence while in the Tombs and asked to be con-
frmed.
From the time he came to the Tombs tha
Rev. Mr.. Munro has had trouble with other spiT-
ituaI workers at the prison and with prison
officials. The late Mrs John A Foster. known
to New Yorkers as the '"Tombs Angel" in
interview given December Is 1901, charged him
with responsibility for the suspension of War
den Hagan on charges which she declared were