The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-04-27

strange mingIing OF statements, and seem.
to be covering-up OF the true state OF the
case. DR.. Baird is q nun OF no common
ability. He had all his transactions ut his
fingers ends, and could at any moment
have told all about them, and yet he says
it flashed upon him suddenly last February
The very first time he used the credit OF the
committee to his own purpose he knew that
he was committing sin and fraud. lie says
he did nothing clandestinely. and yet his
transactions in making and passing notes
involving the committee ran up TO as many
as a hundred. He would oyerdraw or over.
check as financial agent OF the concern, and
when bill came in to the committee he
would say to the business manager, @ will
pay that bill" He would take it and bring
it back rcccipted, and was credited there.
with. This he could do by passing his in
diyidual notes. DR.. Brown answered a
number OF questions propounded to him by
members for the information OF presbyters.
DR.. Pryor renewed his motion for refer
renee to a committee for report.
DR.. Witherspoon offered the following as
4 substitute: --
The Prcsbytery, having read. the state.
mcnt Of Rev. DR.. Baird, arc panied to find
that his accounts as secretary OF publica-
ton are in such condition as to involve his
character as Christian minister, and to re-
quirc an investigation on the part OF Pres
bytery. In view, however, Of DR.. Baird's
official relation to the General Assembly, it
seems becoming that the books and papers
OF DR.. Baird should first pass under the in
spcction OF that body. Prcsbytcry will
therefore hold an adjourned meeting at
- on the - day Of -, 1877, for the
purpose OF issuing this case; and that Rev.
Dr. Baird be cnioincd to desist from all
ministerial functions until final action OF
the Prcsbytery is held
DR.. Pryor said the matter was bruited all
over the country. He had read in the New
York Herald that an expert from that city
had been brought TO Richmond and again
and again examined Dr.. Bairds books, and
could find no error in them.
This statement in the Herald was pro-
nounced incorrect. \ balance-shcct had
been prepared by Richmond accountant.
DR.. Pryor urged immediate action. The
Prcsbytery was at least left no discretion rs
to the suspension OF Dr.. Baird under the
circumstances.
DR.. Read made statement relative to the
cmbarrassments brought on the committee
by the maIfeasance of DR.. Baird. and the
efforts made, with good prospects OF sue
cess, to maintain the solvency and credit OF
the concern. go
The Presbytery then took a recess until
- O'Clock.
Afternoon Session.
Oliyet, Ashland, and Hebron churches
were put in nomination as the next place OF
meeting OF Prcsbytery. Olivct was chosen
rs the place of meeting, and Thursday be-
fore the first Sabbath in October fixed rs the
time.
COMMISSIONERS TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
The following members were elected
commissioners to the General Assembly OF
the PRESBYTERIAN Church South, which
meets in New Orleans in May:
Rev. Moses ID. Iioge, ID. d., OF Rich
mond; Rev. George d. Armstrong, of Nor
folk. Atcrnatcs: Rev. L. l.. Preston, ID.
D.. oil Richmond; Rev. Charles II. Read,
d. D., of Richmond. Elders Judge Robert
Ould, OF Richmond; John l.. Marye, OF
Fredericksburg. Alternates: W. +. Tay-
lor. OF Richmond; David Calender. OF Pc
tcr>burg.
AtG o'clock, as this report closes, Presby-
tery is discussing DR.. Baird's case.
Rev. DR.. Brown urged immediate action.
Rev. DR.. Preston characterized DR..
Daird'S action as a felony.
The Presbytery referred the case OF DR..
Baird to- special committee of three, COM
posed of Rev. DR.. Brown, J. l.. Marye, and
Judge Christian, with authority to examine
witnesses and report action.
DR.. Hoge left for Richmond tonight to
secure attendance OF witnesses before the
committee tomorrow morning.
Dr.. BairG's statement is not looked upon
as confession OF criminal guilt.
ROBIN ADAIR.