New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-11-12
SUFFRAGE IN CHURCH
MAY STIR EP|SCOPAL|ANS
Question of WOman'S Right to
Vote at Elections Expected
at Diocesan Convention.
STATE BODY MEETS TO-DAY
Bishop Greer Will Preside at
Opening Service at Cattle
dral-Meetings Will
Last Two Days.

4 proposal which is likely to stir into
heated discussion the convention of the
Protestant Episcopal Diocese of New
York. which will meet to-day and to-
marrow. Is that Of permitting women as
we'll as men to vote at the Church's an
nual elections. In the century and
quarter of the Church's history, with the
single exception Of the dx:ese of Cali
fornia. and that in lFIted sense. it
has maintained a strictly masculine gov
eminent.
Not until the general convention of
month ago had its policy in this regard
even been assailed. and then with no
success whatever. The delegates to the
diocesan convention are looking forward,
therefore. 10 this suffrage attack with an
interest born of its novelty as well as of
its Importance.
The Rev r b. Kimber. secretary OF
tbe convention. has already put on the
calendar the resolution embodying il.
which calls for the appointment Of COM
mission. composed Of presbyters and lay
men. which shall investigate what
changes may be necessary in the laws of
the State OF New York regarding religious
corporations to enable "all members of
the Church to vote at the annual cleo
tons
May Permit Women Voting.
A. present the laws limit the voting
privilege to men twenty-one or more
years old who for the twelve months
previous have been regular attendants
and contributors. The advocates Of this
new measure have i'm mind permitting
women 10 vote under the same restric-
tons as the men; that is, after they have
reached the age Of twenty-one years and
have for the twelve months just pre-
ceding attended the church and contrib
uted toward its support
In the general convention. it will be
remembered the suffragists concentrated
their attack on the joint commission of
bishops presbyters and laymen having
the subject Of social service In charge.
The executive committee Of the Church
Association for the Improvement Of La
Dor memorialzed the general convention
10 place women on this joint commission.
on the ground that women were among
the most famous and expert of social
workers
The general convention disposed Of this
disturbing request by referring il to the
ioint commission. As far as New York
is concerned this question Of social SER
vice is one TO be handled by the provln-
cial synod rather than the diocesan con-
vention and this suggests another ques-
ton of importance to come before the
convention to-day or tomorrow.
Francis INnde StetSon will move that
the diocese Of New York accept the new
canon passed by the general convention
providing for the organization Of prov
inces and enter the province of the Church
designated TO include the dioccses Of New
York Long Island. Albany. Central New
York, Western New York Newark and
New Jersey. and that it also elect dele
gates 10 the provincial synod to be held
some time during the coming year.
An echo Of the controversy over the
proposal TO change The name Of the
Church may he heard when resolu-
ton is introduced calling for the appoint
ment of a committee TO Investigate the
c0nClN0QS unQeI WHICH 'ibO" 'i'i'' ''''N'
be legally held by parishes and insttu-
tons Of the Church The mover Of TINS
resolution. it is said. has In mind an
INQUIRY into the question whether a
change Of the Chureh's name will affect
the legality Of such endowments
Bishop Greer Opens Convention.
The convention will open with ser
vice al the Cathedral OF 81. John the
Divine this morning at 10 o'clock, TO he
conducted by Bishop Greer, assisted oH
Dean William NJ. Grosvenor. Archdescons
Hulse and Pott and Canons Nelson ana
Jones Following the service the dele
gates will adjourn 10 the new Synod Han
where the convention will organize i'm
mediately for its first business session.
The Diocesan Convention resolves itself
into only one deliberative body. as dis
tnct from the General Convention, which
Is composed Of two-the House of Bishops
and the House of Deputies. Bishop Greer
is the presiding officer. Bishop Burch. the
suffragan. presides whenever Bishop
Greer leaves the chair.
Every clergyman having charge a
parish or seminary or some charitable
Institution may attend as a delegate, and
every orgapf1ad nariSh may send also