Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-04-09
The Gthon Assaolt Case.

The Gihon Assault Case.
VERDICT OF THE JURY-RUFF ACQUITTED:
SMITH FINED $25.
The trial of w. II. Ruff and Hubbard T. Smith
appeal from the Police Court, for On assault
and battery on Albert D. Gihon on March ID
last dn which case w. A. L. Gresham yesterday
pleaded guilty., was resumed in the Criminal
Court this morning. and District Attorney Wor-
thlngton made brief argument
THE JUDGES CHARGE.
Judge Macarthur charged the jury, that
Gresham the admitted principal, had pleaded
guilty, and that the Others Smith and Ruff, con-
tend that they took no part in the affair. II
they established that fact they are entitled to
an acquittal The government claims that they
that they were present simply as spectators or
taat take a place II it should appear to the jury
they are not chargeable. The principle Of
law was correctly stated-that ali per-
in an assault are 'Seni guilty. # d these @ paTe paT
ties were there to aid and abet, or to keep other
parties from interfering, they were principals
would appear singular if Gresham made the at
TACK without provocation, and while provoca-
tion would not justify, it might extenuate. and
as such extenuation might be considered. In re-
ference to the claim that one party loaned a
weapon to Gresham. he said that a party might
innocently loan an article to another. They had
the evidence, and could convict or acQuit one
or both of the accused parties.
The jury retired at 1895 o'clock.
THE VERDICT
The jury came in at LII o'clock, and returned
verdict of guilty as to Smith and not guilty as
to Ruff.
Mr.. Davis asked that sentence be imposed on
Smith, stating that while the verdict was sur
prise to him they were not disposed to ask
iurtner time, simply remarking that his pres
epce there grew out of his friendship for
Gresham.
The court said that the affair was an unfortu.
nate one, originating in a gratuitous insult to a
woman, but it was a violation of law. He
should have persuaded his friend from the
course he was about to take. He knew how
lady, heard an insulting remark made as to her,
but the punishment inflicted on the prosecuting
imposed fine Of $25.
The Washington City Presbytery.
ACTION IN THE CASE OF HOWARD UNIVERSITY
WORK AMONG THE FREEDMEN-THE SESSION
TO-DAY.
At the afternoon session of the Washington
City Presbytery yesterday at the Assembly
church, the report of the committee in favor of
severing the relations of the presbytery with
Howard university was not adopted.
Rev. DR.. Bartlett, from the committee on
work among the freedmen, reported that the
recommendation to build the Albright school
house, in Amelia county, Va, demands only to
be consummated by the gift of the funds. The
purchase of some property In that vicinity for a
pastors residence and as headquarters for
operating the school and boarding the teachers
is necessary. About 50, 500 will be required to
build the house.
Darnestown, Nd, announced that he had re-
ceived a call from the First Presbyterian church
of Alexandria, which he had accepted, and
would enter upon his duties there May 1st
The presbytery adjourned until this morning.
~ Revs; c. B. A. Bridgman; of New York; George
Van Wyck, of Cleveland; A. w. Pitzer, of
WASHINGTON. Edward EQIlS Of Cyrapnbriar Vc q.
j. H. Noble, of Albany, n. Y; c. H. Raymond,
OF Indianapolis; Henry Wilmington. of New
of the NJ. q. church, who were present, We're
invited to sit as corresponding members.
THE SESSION TO-DAY-AMENDING THE BOOK OF
DISCIPLINE.
The presbytery resumed its session this morn
ing, and was occupied with the consideration OF
the overtures from the general assembly amend
ing and changing the Book of Discipline. IT
was agreed that '.all children born within the
pale Of the visible church are members Of the
church, are to be baptized, are under the care OF
discipline, and when they have arrived at years
OF discretion they are bound to perform all the
duties of church members" The presbytery
voted in favor of the amendment prohibiting
the appearance of professional counsel in any
of the ecclesiastical judcatories
Another overture was as follows: "If a commu-
meant not chargeable with immoral conduct
informs the session that he is fully persuaded
that he has no right to come to the Lords table,
tUe SeSSlOu cOuleT WlUu Oh the SUBJECT,
and may, should he continue of the same mind,
and his attendance on the other means of grace
be regular, excuse him from attendance on the
Lords supper, and after fully satisfying
themselves that his judgment is not the
result of mistaken views, shall erase his
name from the roll of communicates,
and make a record of their action in the
case" The presbytery agreed to this overture,
by q vote of II Ia.
The action of the presbytery on these changes
for the revised edition of the Book of Discipline
will be reported to the next meeting of the gen.
eral assembly.