Evening journal., 1908-02-15
TO BALLOT FOR BISHOP FOR
THE DIOCESE OF DELAWARE
Episcopal Convention May
Adjourn TO June Should
Deadlock Develop Over
Choice for Successor TO
Bishop Coleman.

Much interest is being taken in the
special convention of the Episcopal
diocese Of Delaware. which is to con-
vene in st. Andrews Church on We'd
nesday morning next to proceed to elect
bishop for the diocese to fill the
vacancy caused by the death of Bishop
Coleman. 1t was said to-day that in
event of an inability to elect a bishop
within a reasonable time the conven-
tion may defer balloting until the an
nual convention in June, and then re-
new voting.
The clerical delegates elect a bishop,
but the one so elected must have the
confirmation Of not only the lay dele
gates in convention but of the stand
ing committees of majority Of
dioceses in the country before the cleo
ton is effective.
So many names are now being mem
toned in connection with the eelction
of bishop that there is a possibility OF
a deadlock taking place early in the
hailoting. Should this occur it is
understood that there is a sentiment
developing that it woud be more advis-
able to take an adjournment over to
the annual convention in June rather
than go on with deadlock for many
useless ballots. Some laymen are also
said 20 be favorable to putting the cleo
ton over to June.
The impression seems to exist that
the Rev. George c. Hall, rector Of st.
Johns church and archdeason Of VIII
mington, is the clergyman of the
diocese upon whom the honor would
fall should a member of the diocese be
elcted bishop. although the names of
many clergymen of Tho diocese are
mentioned. The trend now seems to
be that a non-member of the diocese
will have better opportunity of cleo
ton, and many names are being mem
toned m connection with the honor.
Among them are Bishop Kinsolving.
Of Brazil; the Rev. Floyd w. Tomkins,
Of Philadelphia; the Rev. Alexander G.
Cummins, of Poughkeepsie, n. Y, for
merley of Smyrna, Del. the Rev.
Hersy EckeL of ST. Joseph. Mo-. for
merly of Wilmington; the Rev. w. s.
Thomas, Of Philadelphia. and the Rev.
Octavius Applegate. of Kingston, N. Y.
Increase Endowment Fund.
Aside from the election of a bishop
the convention also is to take up and
consider the subject of bringing about
an increase in the endowment fund
for the support Of the bishop. The
fund is such that the bishops salary
has varied between $4,000 and $1,000
a year. Regarding the endowment fund
subject the standing committee OF the
diocese has issued the following state
ment:
Until a few years ago. the Bishop
of Delaware received a fixed salary Of
$1,000 per annum Owing to certain
conditions, the income was curtailed,
and 1t was found impracticable to pay
that amount, and by resolution of the
convention in 1901, it was ordered that
in the future the whole Of the income
from the endowment and from certain
parish obligations should be paid to
the Bishop as his compensation. For
a short time this involvel a large re-
duction in the Bishops income, but
in 1903 and 1904 the endowment fund
was increased. and since that time the
amounts received by the Bishop have
varied between $4,000 and $500 per
annun.
Before Delaware should elect a
new Bishop, II is imperative that a
definite salary should he determined
upon, and it is generally conceded that
the amount now applicable to the
Bishops salary is inadequate.
ITO enable the coming convention to
take definite action, we are convinced
of the urgent necessity of securing fur
ther additions to the endowment fund
for the support of the Episcopate, in
order that the income therefrom may
be commensurate with the dignity and
services of the Episcopal Office.
AT least s155,0OO should be added
TO the fund, and If pledges to that
amount can be secured prior to Feb
ruary 10, it will greatly facilitate the
action of the convention"
No Merger Vet.
There will be no consideration Of a
merger of the dioceses Of Delaware
and Easton, Nd, at the convention next
week, as that subject is not mention
ed in the call for the gathering. After
discussing the consolidation project
at some length in Trinity Parish An
nails, the Rev. Frederick M. Kirkus
concludes:
I'm any case. It is advisable to re-
serve Judgment on the general merits
of the whole question until the data
upon which an intelligent opinion can
be based are much more clearly form
ulated than at present. No definite ac-
tion is even contemplated for the i'm
mediate future, and it would be ex-
tremely unfortunate II any impression
TO the contrary should become vide
spread at this time. The conference
at Easton did nothing more than con-
slider the advisability of the plan, and
its possibility Of success at some fu-
ture time.