Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-11-12
REGARDINGTHE
ELECTION OF EPIS-
COPAL BISHOP

Perhaps the members OF the
diocesan convention which is called TO
meet at Portland Dec 4. will elect a
bishop that day to succeed the late
Ri. Rev. Robert Goldman, and then
again perhaps they won't be able to
do so. There is every indication that
there will be some acrimonious de-
batting.
The whole trouble will come over
the strict construction of canon
adopted a few years ago which reads
in effect that lay delegates shall not
have a vote if the parish to which
they belong has not paid every as
sessment which has been apportioned
against it for two years past. This
rule has been held in allegiance fO-
the most part, because matters that
have come up have not been held to be
Of supreme Importance. But it was
, worked last May against Trinity par
ish. Lewiston. when Rev. George :.
Robinson. the rector, brought 20 the
convention his entire quota of dele
gates all ready to fight against the
proposed clergy pension plan. Some OF
those who wished the scheme to go
through quietly undertook to unseat
the Lewiston delegation on the ground
that the apportionment had not been
paid. Mr.. Robinson protested against
the apportionment as being unjust but
N order to hold his delegates good he
raid it under protest on the floor OF
, the convention.
High Church VS.. Low Church.
On a matter so important as the
election of a diocesan head. however,
this rule will be invoked strictly, pro-
vided the friends of strict construc-
ton can be induced to stick to it, If
It is done. a least two of the most
prominent laymen Of the diocese Will
be debarred from participating in the
election OF their bishop because some
Of the assessments charged against
their churches have been left unpaid.
They say it viii 30 no good 70 pat.
them up now. TIE strict construc-
/ tionists claim that the letter of the
law means that they shall have beer,
paid when they we're due. This is
liable TO precipitate . hot fight in
which the high church and the low
church clements will probably be ar
rayed against each other. II is I'M
derstood that one of the members Of
the standing committee will fight IL
have this rule abrogated and to lec
in all delegates duly elected. especial
~ if they tender in behalf Of their par
ishes the sum necessary to pay up all
arrearages.
The first fight will come on the re-
port of the committee of credentials.
This committee will report either to
shut the men out or to let them in,
and others will try to have a minority
report brought in that will rule the
other way. Cpon a test vote On this
report the convention will in a way
find out where it is at.
May Vote in Secret.
Then a move is proposed that will
enable the delegates to vote in secret,
in a way after the style of a caucus, to
enable them to determine their minds
on the choice of the bishop. The plan
is to have the convention resolve itself
into a committee Of the whole. This is
done so that people not entitled to vote
may be excluded, something that can
not be done if the convention remains
in session, since a diocesan convention
is an open body to which any person
may go and where he or she has per-
feet right to remain as long as the
session continues. But in committee
of the whole a resolution may be put