New-York tribune., 1905-01-14
TALBOT BOARD ILLEGAL.
NO ACTION ON CHARGES.
NesC PreSentTaent against Bishop a
Probability IN Irvine Case.
lsF TELnoAArH 10 rEE TREsuNr.l


Reading. Penn. Jan. 1S-Fraacis I,,,nsa stat
son. OF New-Nork, one OF the board of inquiry
70 investigate the charges preferred By the Rev
Dr. 1 y. W. Irvine against Bishop Talbot came
10 Reading to-day. representing a supposed mi
nority. II was believed that the majority IA
roreo going into the hearing OF the accusattons
and they were willing to waive all technicaIit,as
as 70 the illegality OF the body Mr.. Stetson was
On hand 10 argue that the board was illegally
constituted. and he won. The board held morn
ing and afternoon sessions and decided that n
could not investigate the case because the con-
stitution OF the board 10 make preliminary in
suiry is lacking IN canonioal authority"
The next move Of the presenters is a matter Of
OOnjeotura but It Is believed that new charges
vii be preferred. under the canon Of the
Church now IN force In order 10 reach Bisbon
Talbot Al to-day's meeting the following were
rresent; The Rev. Il P. Nichols Francis
Iynde Stetson both Of New-York City. and Of
he New-York Diocese; the Rev. E A. Enos. Of
Troy. and the Rev. Joseph Carey. OF Saratoga
springs, both OF the Albany CI. u Diocese; the
Rev. Dr. Rogers Israel. OF Scranton; the Rev.
n. Henry L. Jones, Of wukesbarre; James NJ.
.au.herton, Of Harrisburg. and w r Butler. OF
Nauch Chunk. OF the Central Pennsylvania
Diocese: the Rev. Dr. W. B. Bodine, the Rev
Dr. J 2. Harding. and George c. Thomas
treasurer OF the Board OF Missions OF the Epis-
copal Church, both Of the Philadelphia Diocese
Dr. Bodine was chosen permanent chairman
The sessions OF the committee were held in
Woos Chapel connected with Christ Cathedral
II The utmost privacy the gates TO the chapel
entrance being locked as soon as the members
OF the committee arrived Nothing was given
out as 10 the proceedings until tonight. The de-
cision Of the board was highly pleasing TO the
friends Of Bishop Talbot The Rev. DR.. Bodine
gave out q long statement ernbodying the work
Of the committee.
TEXT OF DECISION.
AFTER reviewing the proceedings Of the day
the conclusion IS as follows:
TIE lay deputy from New-York called atten-
tion 10 the fact that the clerical deputies from
that diocese 10 the last general convention were
the Rev. DIS. DIX, Huntington, Grosvenor and
Parks of whom al excepting the Rev. DR.. Dix
vsntion throughout al it's sessions. The Rev.
Dr DIX did not sit IL any session of the con-
rention but il his place acted the Rev. DR..
Ear-y P. Nichols. The lay deputy from New
York further observed that undoubtedly in ig-
norEnce Of these particular facts both DR.. Dix
End DR.. Nichols had been drawn and notified TO
attend as members OF the board OF inquiry,
though both Of them could not be deemed 10
have been deputies 70 the last general conven-
don and also that the list Of clerical deputies
from Aew-Eorl. from which Dr.. Dix and Dr..
Nichols were drawn 10 serve as members OF O
board o. inquiry either failed to include the
names OF the other three clerical deputies from
NeW-To~k who actually sat IN the convention, or
else included the names OF fye prssbyIerg and
clerical deputies, whereas under the constitu-
ton of the Church there could not be more than
four clerical deputies from one diocese at one
time. II either the list from which such
names were drawn was not list OF the depu-
ties 70 the last general convention as required
By Canon 2, Section 4, for either Il included
one more name than was entitled TO be therein,
or II excluded one name that should have been
therein.
Under these conditions the eleven deputies
present not unnindful OF their duty OF canonicaI
05sdlence 70 the Presiding Bishop IN al matters
which he should have exercised the authority
q his high Office felt and feel that the duty de-
VOWED upon them 70 determine for themselves
Whsl was their present position under the law
Of he Church and what their duty TO the
ChurA
Ths unanimous conclusion Of the eleven mem
hsz present is then given ss follows:
The deputies present are bound themselves TO
axe knowledge OF the facts concerning the clsr-
iee 6eputation from Sew-York, and now for
Ebly brought 70 their attention by the lay dep
W ron Nev-York. Upon these facts the con-
NNton OF the board 10 make preliminary in
es-fy into the charges above mentioned Is lack
ing IN canonical authority, and the cenonical
eeIecE involved an error material as 70 rem
Ger X inezpedient and improper for the deputies
present 20 assume TO organize or TO act as q
noaro 10 make preliminary inquiry into the said
S-siees unQer Canon = as il existed prior 70 |
ssIuaTy T. isO3, even though IL be considered |
ltAolgh doubted by those preterring the chargss)
Iat any defective action could be taken under |
lhsl canon which was superseded that day. |
DIP. IRVLNEs LETTER DISCUSSED.
Several of the members Of The committee were |
seen regarding the letter addressed 10 the com
Miiiee By the Rev. Dr.. Irvine, which was made |
pubic this morning. J. n. Lamberton. of the |
posfc referring 10 DR.. Irviae's letter alleging /
hat some of the members were biassed, laugh /
hey remarked that DR.. Irvine's actions had 1
become amusing. Secretary ". r Butler said /
me charges Of packing the committee. which /
ooNsltute the main part Of the letter, could be |
answered IN one statement. That was that the |
"s-ovfs OF the committee are chosen by lot |
= alrected by The canons Of the Church which /
s-sclla--y Ireciuded any possibility Of packing |
s COMMITTED Dr. Rogers Israel, OF Scranton,
"-Sn Dr. Irvine scores il his letter for his
e-.eseo improper actions in connection with the
- replied that DR.. Irvine was al liberty 10
e --s any charges he wished. II would not af-
-, LIZ a-iion or opinion the question at
- -s one particle, nor was he the least affected
personally thereby
IITueIlck JenEnsOn. CT Huntingdon, a
1--oVi OF Dr. lrVlne's congregation and a
- - OF lhe presentment, was in attendance
es-s - BOARD q Inquiry for few moments He
49, d green bag, which contained documents
- - OF The case. In reply TO question as
q ~, - leeallty of the board Mr.. Jenkinson said
st,,r. d question II the board was legally con-
= SceE