New-York tribune., 1908-07-22
BISHOP POTTER'S CAREER.

L
The Right Rev Dr. Henry Goldman Potter.
seventh Bishop OF the Protestant Episcopal Do
cese of New York was born in Schenectady,
N V May 25 1895 and long filled important
place in public life. Robert Potter, the first
of his this side of the Atlantic, came
to America from Coventry, England. and settled
at Lynn. Mass. IN 1880 Shortly after bis ar
rival he brought before the authorities OF
the Massachusetts Colony for religious con-
tumacy, and sought more freedom In Ph1ladel-
phia. In the ninth generation from Robert
Potter were DR.. Alonzo Potter. Bishop OF Penn
sylvania. and DR.. Horatio Potter, Bishop of
New York. The former was the father OF Henry
Goldman Potter. At the time of his birth his
father who married daughter Of President
Eliphalet Mott was professor In Union Col
lege. Among the brothers Of Bishop Potter
were Clarkson Mott Potter. member OF Con-
gress. who died in 1882, and Ehphaiet Mott
Potter president Of Hobart College and after
ward of Union University who died In 1901. both
OF whom graduated from Union College.
Henry c. Potter's education was received
principally at the Episcopal Academy, Phliaoei-
phia- and for time he engaged in mercantile
pursuits. but long, for his inclinations and
taste were for the Church, and he followed
course of classical study under the direction or
his father and Professor G. E. Hare he aiter-
ward entered the Theological Seminary OF VIZ
ginia. and graduated from that institution
in 1857. In the same year he received deaconfs
orders at the hands of his father in ST Lukes
Church. Philadelphia.
He ordained priest in Trinity Church,
Pittsburg, on October Is, 1853. by Dr.. Bowman
assistant Bishop of Pennsylvania. and became
rector Of Christ Church, Greensburg, Penn In
May, 1859. he accepted call to St Johns
Church, Troy, n. Y. where he remained until
1866 In 1862 he elected rector Of Christ
Church, Cincinnati; year later he was CHOSEN
president of Kenyon College, at Gambler, Ohio
and in the year he was called to ST PauIs
Church, at Albany. but all these offices were
declined, the young rector preferring his work
at Troy.
BECAME RECTOR OF GRACE CHURCH.
After seven years service at Troy he accepted
the position of assistant minister Of Trinity
Church, Boston. Two years later he was elected
rector Of Grace Church. in this city, the church
in which he later consecrated Bishop He
filled the rectorship Of Grace Church. with It's
manifold responsibilities for fifteen years with
a large measure Of success. In 1870 he was
elected Bishop of Iowa, but declined the office
One year before he accepted the post of rector
Gf Grace Church he made secretary OF the
Hous. of Bishops which post he filed until
1888 He was also for many years one OF the
managers of the Board Of Missions.
His uncle Bishop Horatio Potter. of the Dio-
cese of New York feeling In 1883 unable TO per-
form ali the duties devolving upon him. prof
fered request for Assistant Bishop to
the diocesan convention. The request Of the
Bishop was Immediately complied with by
the election of his nephew Assistant Bishop
The conservation OF the newly elected BISHOP
took place on October %. 1888. in the presence
of forty-tnree Bishops and nearly three hundred
clerpyrnen who were attending the General
Convention.
Bishop Horatio Potter was soon obliged to
retire from active labor in the diocese, and all
Of his duties fell to the lot Of the assistant On
January 2 1887, the aged Bishop died Bishop
Henry Goldman Potter than became the head of
the diocese a position which he continued to
fill until the time Of his death. To the discharge
of the duties of his office he devoted hlmse1
assduousy, and he found time to give much
attention to many matters of public interest
and Importance
INVESTIGATED EAST SIDE.
In place of taking his customary vacation in
1895 he chose to spend month among the poor
of the East Side. For that month he took up
his quarters In the little Stanton street mission,
where he labored early and late among the tene-
ment homes of tailors He investigated for him
self the horrors of the sweatshops. and entered
the rroe shops and studied the misery there.
II was then that he acquired knowledge or
Fast Side conditions and a sympathy with the
unfortunates there which were shown forth later
in the letter TO Mayor Van Wyck OF November
15 1900. which practically precipitated the req
light" crusade with its attendant revelations Oh
sickenfnz graft and police ineffciency, ano car
ri.d In its wake an indignation against Tam
many Hall which brought into existence the
Low fusion administration of this city.
The Rev Mr. Paddock, rector of the Pro-
ha
the saturnalia of vice in the red light quar-
ter on the lower East Side until he though
practica ly single handed, could stand II no
LONGER and began to fight against the aWful
conditions Early in the fight he went TO the
Eldridse street police station and complained 10
the captain there of the things ne sa" daily
from his windows. That official piuhty toiu
him that he lied. and when he took his com
plants TO Inspector Cross, IN charge OF td' ois7
triet he was met with derslon
Thereupon Bishop Potter. whose personal rep
-esan+ative Mr.. Paddock was, sent to Mayor
Van Wyck letter recounting the 1acts' couciieo
in such terms that no official could disregard it.
That letter said:
Tho thing that Is of consequence. sir. is that
when minister of religion and resiuent IN d
ma r,icular ueghborhood. whose calling ana ciiai
acter experience and truthfuness are an diIhe
widely and abundantly recognized, soes 20 'ie
beadGuarters of the police in MS dlstricl 10
snneaI 10 them for the protection OF the young,
the innocent and the defenceless asaiI,s. Ils r
leDrous harpies who are hlred ds luie.' nii-
to,,ters for the lowest and most infamous deils
/ -, vice he is met not only with contempt ana
derison but with the coarsest insu. anu oof oafo
guy. ann III tiihI - Eau work. is a
S.-,,,r. sborne To any decent and civilized com
Tnunity and San ntolerabe outrage upon ,hose
whom 1t especially and iittia oree tbase