The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1873-03-06


with seduction, and ether improper conduct,
comes up fer action before The Annual Con-
ference Of tie N. e. Church South, which
met in Baltimore yesterday, the 9Th. The
ecclesiastical court appointed by this body
will pass finally upon the guilt CT innocence
Of the accused. An appeal may be had from
its adjudication to the General Conference,
which meets every four years, but the pIoba-
bilty is, That the conclusion arrived at now
will determine the result, without al appeal.
The charges against Dr.. Huston were made
in the summer Of 1871. He was then pas
tor Of Trinity Methodist Church, Baltimore,
splendid edifcs he had been instrumental
in erecting, taking charge Of the aggregation
when it had but 20 members, and Was wor-
shipping in an indifsrnt old building. lis
fine address as man, and persuasive powers
as minister, made him a general favorite,
and he exerted these advantages to the con-
structon Of 8 church which cost about S70,-
900. The specific charge against him was
for the seduction Of a young lady aged about
lG years, member Of his Sunday School and
daughter of a widow wha was g member Of his
charch. The case, as detailed circumstan-
TALLY, by the press, excited great interest in
Baltimore ana throughout the country, the
predominant sentiment being against him.
At the last session Of the Conference, held at
i4eesburg, Va, the case was brought up, and
DR. Huston voluntarily appeared in that body,
asseveratiug his Innocence a commission
was appointed to investigate the charges, Of
which Rev Saml. Rodgers was Chairman
It met in Baltimore 10 May aal June Of last
year, and was patiently engaged in the dis
charge Of the duties incident to the case. for
| three weeks. The commission consisted oi
Eve ministers Of whom thought him
guilty and three not guilty. But a. the
powers Of this commission were eircumscrlbed
they could only report the evidence adsslced,
to the Conference There were Eve specidea-
tious, only three Of which were consiacrea
There was much conflict Of testimony, and
the result was, that none cf them were sus-
| tanned. But in view Of the seriousness Of
the charges and the essensiallitY OF the
church having q clear verdict in the case,thc
new trial is attracting considerable attention,
and will have attached to il unusual interest.
The Aaaual Conference INST yesterday
Wednesday The Baltimore Gazette, Of the
1st says:
The delegates, clerical and lay, will num-
Der in all about two hundred. -Four bishop,
of the Church will be present, the fifth, who
was expected. Bishop Payne, being detained
By sickness, and tho general proceedings Of
the body promises to BE- Of interest and pro-
duotivc of good for the cause Of tho Church
in Baltimore. It is probable thas the case oi
DR.. Huston Will be conducted 10 accordance
with the prescribed usage and the pIeaedents
already es:abl shed The report, covering
the evidence adduced by the committee Of ia
vcstigation, will be daily presented. A motion
will tken be made to refer the case to com
mitteo, to be composed according to the ritual,
Of not less than nine nor more than thirteen
clerical members Of the Conference. The
case will then be re-opened, and the sessions
Of the Court of Conference will be held daily
until the issues involved are thoroughly ex-
amined into and disposed Of by the recording
Of a verdict either for or against the accused.
The proceedings will be conducted with closed
doors, no person being admitted except the
committee, the accused, aud his clerical couu-
sci, who shall also be a member of the Con-
ference, and the witnesses. The result will
| only be made public at the close Of the trial.
The presebce or absence Of d.. Huston will
not effect the proceedings, as even if he
should not present himself during the trial.
the examination will be proceeded with aud
the record in the case made. The result Of
the trial is binding on the Conference. at
whose hands it is not subject to amendment
Of any kind, and the only appeal is to the
General Conference.
Congress has passed the bill increasing the
Presidents salary to $50, 900 per annur and
the pay Of Members Of Congress to $500
cutting off mileage and extras. The increase
Of members pay was in consequence OF tax
abolition Of the frankiu3 privilege. The in.
crease of the Presidents salary will be re.
garded as just by every thinking man. In
deed wo doubt whether $4,000 is enough
looking to the wonderful growth Of our coua.
try, which requires corresponding dignity
to be maintained at the Executive MANSION
When the vote WAS taken On Hon, james
Brooks expulsion from Congress representa-
tves Kinney and Elliott, (colorel) Of South
Carolina, voted mo- as they did on the resolu-
tion of censure Mr. Brooks passed over to The
seat Of each AID thanked them He remark
ed as he did so
! Mr.. Rainey; have been an enemy Of
the colored race, but | come here to-day to
thank You for your vote in my bshalf.-
iIeuceforth | shall not only be the friend Of
your race, bat your personal fricad. thank
you"
The Senate has passed the bill allowing
| Virginia her bael. quota OF arms, and it is
.ow . law