The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-10-18
Churchmen Cast About for
Reason of Third Refusal
of Capital BiShopriC.
DIR. McKIM FAVORED
AS CANDIDATE NOW
Epiphany's Rector Has Had Votes
in All Diocesan Conventions.
Discussed by Leaders.

After having the bishopric Of Wash
| ington thrice declined within the past
FIVE months, the diocesan convention Of
the Ep. scopsI Church will rcassemble
again on November 10 at Trinity
Church TO elect a successor TO the late
| Rt. Rev. Henry Yates Satterlee.
Seldom, if ever, in the history OF
churches has so exalted position as
the bishopric Of Washington been de
cIined for three consecutive times. and
with the final refusal of the Rev. Alex
ander Mann. Of Boston, 10 accept the
/ honor. have come a number OF rumors
/ and theories as 10 the possible cause
| for such an extraordinary state Of az
fairs
One rumor that has gained more or
! less credence is that those 6ivines who
have been called have noted the ap-
parently strong desire Of a number
Of the clergy and lay delegates 20 elect
! a local man 70 the bishopric, and con-
! sequently may have felt some hesita-
ton in assuming charge Of a field
wherein local candidates had developed
such a strong following.
The Rev. McKim Cns.
The Rev Dr Randolph H. McKim, the
Rex, DR.. George @. Bratenahl, the
! Rev.NQr. Alfred A. Harding, and the
Rev. Dn- George Calvert carter. are
notably aufNpg the Washington divines
/ whose friendseWere persistent IN their
! support during esch Of the three con-
veutions. In no instance was the call
/ for either Bishop Brent or Dr. Mann
made unanimous until both those div
! ines mad received, after uiauy ballots, a
sufficient number of votes "a elect then.
/ anyway.
| The case Of Dr. NIcSim especially may
| be cited IL serious consideration. Is 10
: be given the rumor that local condi-
I tions may have Influenced in some de
] gree the three declinations. It was re-
! called last night by a leading divine
/ Of the city that priority Of bishOpTIc
! ambitions perhaps belonged to Dr. Nc
! Kim inasmuch as ne had considerable
/ following twelve years ago when the late
/ Bishop Satterlee was elected. At the
| May convention. which called Bishop
/ Brent; al the June convention, which
/ repeated the call, and ar the October
! convention which elected Or. Mann. the
pastor Of the Church Of the Epiphany.
/ DIT. McL1lm, remained in tie race until
| the close.
Brent Twice Cabled.
] At the June convention, IT viii be re.
/ membered. there was mild criticism OF
the fact that DR.. McKim had uninten-
/ tionally appeared 20 hurry Bishop Brent
I in his decision by sending a second
cablegram to Manila previous 10 the ar
rival Of letters c0BLSning full details
Of the conventions action The fact
/ that one or NOR cables were garbIed
in transmission and the fear that Bishop
Brent felt he was being hurried by the
! president of the convention, DR.. McKim.
for a decision had its influence in caus-
ing the diocese 20 extend a second call
to the bishop of the Philippines.
DR.. McKim was asked last night II
he had heard OF the rumCrs that his
candidacy and hattering vote might
have figured in the decIination Of the
two divines mentioned, on the hypothe
sis Of their possible feeling that his
faithful service in Washington should
now be rewarded by an election 10 the
bishopric.
Surprised at Query.
He seemed surprised at the query
i saying:
4 sincerely trust that such has not
been the case and do not believe 1t tc
be have heard nothing like that.
There is little to tell and there is
Inothing under the surface. We simply
; called two men who could not accept
because they believed their duty lay
] Continued on Sixth Page)