Sixth Choice

Pennsylvania's Bishop Thomas James Garland, his clergymen and his laymen have long been trying to get a bishop coadjutor. Five men they asked and were five times refused.* Last week they found a man who would accept. Unlike the previous five selected he was right there in Pennsylvania. He was Dr. Francis M. Taitt, rector of St. Paul's Church, Chester.

Not only in geography and result did the Taitt election differ from the previous five. All other nominees were comparatively young men. Dr. Taitt is five years older than 62-year-old Bishop Garland. He has labored in the Pennsylvania vineyard all his life. Other nominees took several weeks of consideration before refusing the post. Dr. Taitt was in an adjoining room while the votes were cast. Elected on the first ballot he was immediately notified of the results. Ten minutes later his acceptance was announced to the press. It appeared to most observers that the potentates of the Pennsylvania diocese had made sure in advance, this time, that they would not be met with refusal. There was virtually no debate before the election. Dr. Louis C. Washburn, rector of Old Christ Church, Philadelphia, and nominator of Dr. Taitt, mentioned a letter circulated among deputies to the convention. Bishop Garland interrupted: "There must be no references to letters, to caucuses held by laity or clergy, or to newspaper reports. If there are such references I will have to speak some plain words."

Born in Burlington, N. J., Bishop-Coadjutor Taitt went to the University of Pennsylvania, attended Philadelphia's Protestant Episcopal Divinity School while he was still a university student. At the divinity school he was graduated as an honor man. Nine years ago the University of Pennsylvania gave him an honorary LL.D.

He first served as an assistant at Old St. Peter's Church, Philadelphia, then was rector of Trinity Church, Southwark, for five years. Since 1892 he has been rector of the Chester Church. In 1904 he was elected missionary bishop to South Dakota but declined the position because he wished to stay in Philadelphia with his ill mother. He is not married.

Without explaining why the position was not tendered to Dr. Taitt in the first place, Bishop Garland said blandly: "We have worked together twenty-five years with a very intimate and happy relation between us. We will work together as long as God permits."

*The refusers: Boston's Henry Knox Sherrill, Spokane's Edward Makin Cross, Manhattan's Russell Bowie, St. Louis' William Scarlett, Samuel Smith Drury of St. Paul's School (Concord, N. H.)