Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-03-12


had demanded the surrender of Dr.. Hus-
toms commission to preach. DR.. Munsey
said he didn't have enough inpudence for
that.
DR.. Regestor desired to know how far
the investigation was gong to Affect the
civil courts, which ought to take precedence.
Would not the decision Of one have great
tendency to influence the Judgment OF the
other?
Much discussion occurred here as to the
manner, the time and place for the investi-
gation-whether the investigation would be
final; whether it would take place now OF at
the next Conference.
Bishop Paine. No final trial could take
place until the next Conference. The in
yes igation could be instituted or commit
tee of inquiry appointed. Nine to thirteen
elders would constitute an ecclesiastical
court, and it could only sit during the ses
sion of Conference.
DR.. Register moved an amendment to
DIR. Munsey's motion that DIR. Huston
should cease to exercise ministerial func-
tions.
Bishop Paine, Cnterrupting.) That would
be prejudging the case.
Here several members rose to speak, but
were not recognized by the Bishop. Among
the number DR.. Huston, who said he did
not intend to exercise them, but in The con-
fusion was not heard by the President.
Rev. Mr.. Rogers desired to know if the
Presiding Elder should make the findings
of the invest. CATION secret or public?
In the multiplicity and confusion of
voices the question was not answered b.
the Bishop.
Rev. A. W. Wilson said the good of the
church demanded immediate trial, and read
from the Doctrines and Discipline of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, pages 119 and
100, as follows: "When the accusation is
preferred during the session of the Annual
Conference, it shall first be referred to a
committee of three travelling elders, for in
vestgatiOn, who shall report to the Confer
ence whether or not they Judge trial
necessary. If the Conference differ in
judgment from the committee, new COM
mittee may be appointed TO inquire into the
facts and report. The committee Of inves-
tigation reporting case for trial shall
bring forward the bill of charges in proper
form, and appoint one or more of their
number TO prosecute it."
Bishop Paine read the manual OF disci-
pline in regard to the manner Of investiga-
ton and trial.
Rev. A. w. Wilson moved an investiga-
ton Immediately.
Bishop Paine here laid down at length the
procedure, and the exigeneies that might
arise, under different forms of inquiry, in
an investigation or trial of the case.
Mr.. Wilson, of Washington, said the
whole trial devolved upon the Conference,
and not upon the presiding elder of DR..
Illusions district. He wanted to know
what authority the presiding elder had over
DR.. Huston if he was not in his district,
and he would not be unless re-appointed by
the Conference.
Bishop Paine-The Conference will hold
him amenable by resolution.
DR.. REGISTER wanted a committee ap
pointed for immediate inquiry. No one
knew what influence would be brought TO
bear on the committee of investigation be-
tween now and next conference.
DR.. Munsey said he was from Baltimore;
knew the public sentiment there, and the
good of the Church demanded an investiga-
ton on the spot, among the witnesses.
Rev. Samuel Rogers said DR.. Huston de-
sired the trial to take place where the
charges originated.
Rev. Mr.. Clarke stated that the witnesses
were not here, and not likely to be. There
was nothing but hearsay evidence. He de-
sired that the whole matter be referred to
this Presiding Elder.
Mr.. Wilson said they did not want the
witnesses here. 1t rested upon the inquiry,
was there necessity for trial or not? Let
the voice of this Conference say to the peO-
Die of Baltimore, this case should be investi-
gated at once.
Rev. w. II. Wilson was very emphatic
about DR.. Munsey's motion prevailing.
Amid considerable excileneut and con-
fusion, a vote was called for.
Ali were commanded to s it, as a rising
vote was to be taken.
The vote resulted in favor of Mr.. Wilson's
motion-ayes 100, noes IS.
Messrs. Norval, Wilson, W. s. Baird and
John LandstrOOt were appointed commit
tee of inquiry, and are now in secret session.
IyASHOE.
DIR. HUSToN's SPEECH.
The Warrenton correspon dent of the
Cincinnati Commercial furnishes the fol-
lowing report of DR.. Huston's speech before
the Conference:
DR.. Huston stepped forward to the space
in front Of the Secretary's desk, and, facing
the Conference, spoke few words in sin
gularly calm and unembarrassed manner.
He said that beyond what the Presiding
Elder had already stated he had but two
remarks to make, and they did not relate to
the avalanche of anguish that had come
upon him, but TO the circumstances under
which he had left the city. When the SLAM
derOus story was first made public, there
was an instinct that prompted him to save
his wife and daughter from the
modification and sorrow that it would
bring upon them, and for that reason he
thought best to take them beyond the reach
of the slanderer's breath; and then warm
ing up into something of his accustomed
glow of feeling, he continued 81 shall wait
/ until ! have been fully INDICATED before
| the Conference, and fir IN that hour until
the last day ofmy life shall be in pursuit of
! the man that blistered that daughters
cheek with shame, and stabbed that wife to
| the heart"
| DR.. Huston went on to say that he had
! kept all the sanderous stories concealed
| from his family, and they knew nothing of
! them until last week. A friend writing
! from Memphis to them mentioned them.
''They do not believe them," said DR.. Hus
/ ton, land in their presence | detied all my
accusers, as [ do now"
! He then asked leave to recall the letter of
withdrawal, which had been placed in the
| hands of the Presiding Elder. He said that
! it had been drawn up by brother, and he
| had signed his name to it under Circum
stances that did not permit due reflection.
$500