Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-10-17
DENIES PLOT
TO GUST RICHMOND
Francis A. Lewis Replies to
Charge of Suspended
Rector's Friend
LONG TRIAL CONCLUDED
Rev. Fordyce II. Argo Dissents
From Findings of Episcopal
Minister'S Triers

Denial or an Episcopal Church plot
ngainst the Rev. George Chalmers Richmond
was made today by Francis A Lewis. ac-
cused by the Rev. Fordyce H. ArgU of being
the layman who. with the late Bshop
I Mackay- Smith and Bishop Rhnelander
"created situation" that led to the suspen-
sion Of the Rev Mr.. Richmond for two
years and his being ousted from tho rec
torship Of St johns Church
'Those Of my friends who know me know
how untrue are the accusations Of Doctor
Argo," said Mr. Lewis. - have no reuly
70 make to his statement II he wants to
talk. God forbid that should stop him. -
Il expect to be censured, but ] Will stand
by my guns and fight for my convictions" "
was the statement today Of the Rev MIR.
Argo, rector of the Church Of the Nativity.
Rockledge chairman and dissenting mi
nority member of the board OF triers tn It
yesterday suspend ID the Rev. Mr. Richmond
from the ministry for two years finding
him guilt on n.ne of the li0 counts
against him.
The dissenting opinion of the Rev Mr..
AFRO was a vigorous attack against "iu.
visible government" In the church and the
''unchristian. immoral and Illegal prose-
cuton aga nst the rector of st. Johns. II
caused a sensation in church circles and
It was predicted that his attack upon
Bishop Rhinelander the late Bishop
Mackay-Smth and Mr.. Lewis would lead
TO new complications
The verdict of suspension, in which the
Rev. Mr. Argo agreed, was reached yester-
day the other members of the board Of
trers being the Rev. John \, Goodfe,low,
rector o. the Church Of the Good Shepherd,
Kensingtou, and the Rev. Edward Ritchie,
rector Of the Church Of St James the Less,
Fails Of Schuylkill The nine counts were
made up Of charges Of violation OF ordina.
ton vows, attacks on Bishop lihinelander
and attacks a Nd false statements against
Daniel Gratiiey, "a member of the church.
Mr. Ritche and Mr.. Goodfelow would
not comment upon IT,
"f do not intend 20 enter into any dis
cussion" said Mr. Goodfellow. Doctor
Argo shows that he has not much love for
bishops"
.ARGO STANDS BY HIS GUNS
Il can only imagine how my opinion OF
the matter will be received in church cir
cles," said the IlOCkledge rector today. u
fully expect to be called 10 task for my
Statement But | only told the truth.
would have been dishonest had said other.
wise. ] will back up everything l said and
VIII not retreat now'
Bishop Rhinelandcr who is In Chicago
Is not expected to return for several days
Mr. Argo said the evidence at the trial
showed that the two bishops and Mr.. Lewis
conspired for the remuval of Mr.. Rich
mond. owing partly to his alleged insubor-
dinaton but chiefly because Of his dis
agreement with them on economic questions
Mr.. Richmond was punished, he said, by
being brought to trial which he termed "a
farce, a fiasco, a gross miscarriage Of JUS
tice and a second Dreyfus affair"
large assemblage of churchmen, in
Guiding many women. sat In silence while
Mr.. Argo read his indictment of the doc-
esan authorities. "All Of Mr. Richmond
offenses, without exception, are the out
growth OF a situation created by the actions
of the authorities of this diocese and a lead
Ing iayman," he said, Il mean the late
Bishop Alex lnder Mackay- Smith and Fran
els A. Lewis such actions If permitted,
1eojardize the safety, security and position
of every clergyman IN the Church and the
peace and harmony Of every parish in the
land They are immoral unchristian, un-
carpnical and. in m opinion Illegal"
Mr.. Argo declared that all the trouble
began when the lite Bishop Mackay-Smith
attacked Mr.. Richmond in a 'scurrtlous, IL
belous letter" to the newspapers. Mr.. Argo
further stated the abnormal situation cre-
atee by the diocesan authorities" led Mr.
Richmond to say and do things he would
not have otherwise have said and done. He
said Mr.. Nchmonds statements relative 10
Bishop Rhinelander i'm his sermons were
'regrettable, but the truth in them Is more
regrettable still"
POWER AND EGOTISTIC WEALTH"
Mr Argo continued: 1T is evident that
the Diocese Of Pennsylvania needs to be
made safe for its clergy" He then named
q dozen or more disciples and prophets, and
asked what would become of them if they
We're members of the Episcopal Church at
the present time. According to Mr.. Argo,
Mr. Richmond found himself contending
against a combination of tyrannical Episco-
pal power and "egotstic wealth"
Mr. Richmond said 1t was worth two
years" TO hear such a stirring document as
the arfaignment pronounced by Mr. Argo.
Mr. Richmond added that a conference of
Episcopal clergymen would be held in this
: city next week, as a result Of which a
movement may be inaugurated to "oust
Bishop Rh'nelander from the diocese OF
pennsylvania"
Mr.. Rchmonds difficulties with the two
Bishops have aroused widespread attention
for several years He fell out with the late
Bishop Mackay-Smth and later became
embroiied with his successor, Bishop Rhine.
iAnder, In January, 1914, Mr.. Richmond
was brought to trial on fourteen charges Of
conduct unbecom ng a clergyman and
breach Of ordination vows. The trial con-
tinued for more than a year, and at the
conclusion he was found guilty and sus-
pended for one year. Before the period
came to an end new presentment of 1926
charges was brought against tho minister
and a new tri ill became necessary.
ri ~ NYynrrATrE