Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1875-07-13
Bishop Whiftinxha.n.


PRELIMINARY COURT OF INQUIRY.
The fact that Bishop Nottingham, OF the
Episcopal diocese Of MsrslaSd, has been
Ing Bishop of the United States, has already
been published. The charge against him is
that he has persistently refIsef tn summon
.osesfes5 9ich4y and Rev. c. q. Perry. rector
and assistant rector of Mt. Calvary church,
OF this city, who were presented 70 him by
the standing committee of this diocese on the
charge OF reciting and setting forth prayers
for the dead, involving the doctrine OF Pur-
gatory. Bishop Nottingham claimed that
the canon on the subject left it discretionary
with him TO summon this ecclesiastical
court or not, while many of the clergy and
laity OF the diocese were of the opinion that
me canon was mandatory. The scene IN the
Episcopal CONVEX. ton when the bishop de-
manded that an amendment 70 the canon
snould pe adopted which would so interpret
~ as 10 IeaVe no doubt of its discretionary
poMer; anu the warm and long debate that
ehsueu W all not soon be forgotten by those
VINO WI messed the one and heard the other.
In, ine convention rejected the amendment,
,eat ing the canon unchanged. Before the
Letting of the convention the presentation
OF Bishop Whittingham to Bishop Smith had
taken place, having been made about the
middle of May. The prosecutors included two
presby tiers and five laymen as follows Rev.
A. NJ Randolph, rector of Emanuel church;
Rev. q. w. Peterkin. rector of Memorial
church: Gen. Trimble Rand'h Barton, VIM.
W Oodward, r. Marbury, Dr. p. G.. Williams.
Every effort was made by those who favored
the bishops view of the case to induce
the prosecutors to withdraw the present
ment, but they remained firm in their Do
sition. On June nth a special meeting of
the standing committee was callei for the
purpose of withdrawing, if possible, the pre-
sentiment against the clergymen of Mount
Calvary church, when il was thou yht the
charge against Bishop Nottingham would
fall to the ground. The standing committee,
however, by vote OF four to two-the pres
1dent, DIR. Leeds, not voting-refused to with
draw. This action convinced the majority
of those interested that there was no way in
which the trial of Bishop Whittingham could
be avoided. There has been some dispute as
to how Bishop Smith viewed the matter,
though 1T was known that he was compelled
under the laws OF the church to summon a
preliminary board of inquiry. II he hest
tated at first he has finally made up his
mind TO summon board of inquiry, and
several clergymen and laymen OF this city.
who will be members of it, have received
notices to that effect. The board of inquiry
will meet here the latter part of this
members could not be learned last evening,
The following will show how this board was
chosen: The presiding bishop, from the list
OF clerical and lay deputies to the last gene
raj convention, selected by lot two presby-
tiers and two laymen from the Populations of
the diocese of the accused, and two presby-
tiers and iaymen from each OF the respective
deputationS OF the three dioceses adjoining
that of the accused, the sixteen Individuals
thus selected by lot constituting the board of
inquiry, majority of whom will form a
quorum. This board will, as above stated
assemble in Baltimore, and after organizing
by the selection of Il president and secretary,
Will appoint church advocate, who must be
a lay-communlcant of the church and of the
profession of the law, and who shall repre-
sent the church and be the party on the one
hand, while the accused is the party on the
other The sessions of this board TO be pri-
vate. After the board have heard the accI-
sations and such proof as the accusers may
produce. they are to determine, Just as a
grand jury would do, whether there be
sufficient ground 10 put the accused bishop
upon his trial by an ecclesiastical court.
The court, If called, is constituted by the
presiding bishop placing the names of all the
bishops OF the church within the territory OF
the United States, except that of the accused
In vessel and then causing eleven of said
names to be drawn. The names so drawn TO
be entered upon list as they are drawn.
when the accused or his representative and
church advocate or his agent may each strike
Of alternately name until the whole num-
Der is reduced 10 seven, or should this not be
done. then the presiding bishop is to reduce
tne number 10 seven bishops, who shall con-
stitute the court for the trial of the accused.
and before whom he must be regularly sum-
mOned to appear.
The meeting of this board of inquiry in
Baltimore will no doubt create quite a stir
IN Episcopal circles, and the excitement pro-
duced Will be intensified should the charges
against Bishop Wittingham be sustained,
nece< 81 atiDg his trial before a court com,
posed of his p ers.-Bdt. Anae'fcdn, 18Th.
OUR RIFLEMEN IN BRIrAIN.-Tbe British
National Rifle association having decided to
arrange match, if possible, which would be
acceptable TO the American rifiemen, have
resolved that cup of the value of f1OO Shall
be given as an individual prize, to be shot
for by the Americans and by representatives
OF the three Fights OF 1S14 and 1875 on Satur-
day next. Each man will have twenty-five
shots, at one thousand yards. Col. Glider
sleeve, however, in a letter reiterating the
determination of the Americans not to shoot
another team match, says that the members
OF the team are now separated and cannot be
brought together before next week. Five or
SIX OF them, he says, would probably be glad
as individuals to shoot at Wimbledon on
Saturday next if the Lloyds cup is Offered
for competition to all corners.
BISMARCK, BELGIUM AND BRITArN-In
the British Parliament, last evening. Mr.
Disraeli, in reply to question from Lord
romance, said that the German note TO
Belgium, laying down certain International
principles, had no application to Great
Brltlan, who was not asked to acquesce in
them. The subject of that correspondence,
he said, was settled and IL was useless to dis
cuss distractions. Nevertheless, he took oc-
casion to say, while commenting on the pos
slble meaning of the note in question, that