Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-01-14
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lOPENING OF THIS TRIAL OF THE
REV. DIR. ARMSTRONG.

Tke Testimony TO be Heard with ClOsea
Doors Further Proceeding Post
poned to Jan. 26-Escape OF Patient
from Enthusiastically Improvement
ofthe Altamaha River.
ATLANTA, Jan. I3.-The eccleaiastical
court assembled for the trial OF Rev. Dr.
j. :. Armstrong in the chapel Of ~. fhh-
dips church this morning at i 80 O'Clock.
The court was organized by tine election
OF Rev VIM. II. Hunter. of Columbus as
President. and Rev. Charles II. strong OF
Savannah, as Secretary. Upon taking
the chair President Hunter said that me
position was quite novel 10 him, ana ne
stated that there was great need OF Iof-
gbearance. The Lords prayer was thtn
said. Secretary strong said that the
standing committee had engaged the SER
vices OF W. X. Tewks0ury as stenog-
Tapher.
RULES OF THE TRIAL.
The Secretary then read the following
rules for the conduct OF the proceedings
First. that the manner and conduct OF
ifhe trial as regards eyidenc" he the same
rs in the courts OF law of Georgia.
Second. that the services Of an amicus
curial Law adviser be secured.
Thlrd. that the court, at the request OF
any memember, may retire Tor consulta-
ton.
Quoted with closed doors.
President Hunter then announced tn az
the canon provided for the appointment
of a standing committee, OF an advocate
10 conduct the prosecution. and hat sald
advocate must be a communicate OF hVe
years standing.
THE PROSECUTING ATTORNEY.
At tn iuncture Walter 5. Charlton,
OF Savannah, who appeared for the pro-
tsecutiOu. pre- sented TO the court a ceryih-
cate signed bv Rev Thomas Boone,
rector Of Christ Church of savannah. that
he has been a commitment hat church
for five years, and also q certificate from
the standing committee that he has been
employed by them AS an advocate.
John l.. Davidson, Of Augusta, and
Hoke Smith, of Atlanta, appeared Tor The
defense.
Mr. Davidson stated that he had no
certificate to prove tnat be bal been
commitment of nve years 20 a ding.
-"-%cfes-dent Hunter remark d that the
court @ald retire and consult upon the
matter. The court was out about III g
minutes. and retu ming the presld MT
stated that parol evidence would be al
ulitted in reference 70 the eligibility Of
the counsel for the defense. Mr.. David
son thereupon introduced b. hop John w
Beckwith, who testified that he mad Deenf
a cOmmrneant tOr i've years.
AN OPEN TRIAL ADVOCATED.
Mr.. Charlton handed 10 Secretary
Strong a resolution 10 the effect that the
people of the church are entitled TO know
the facts OF the trial, and that reporters
Of the press should be admitted to take
down and publish It's proceedings.
rt.ara not "a
Charlton, ''for many reasons. # the trial
5s secret and the defendant shall be con-
Victed it will be said by the public that II
was a star-chamber proceeding. II the
trial he secret and the defendant shall be
acquitted it will be said that the trial
turned upon the introduction OF evidence
too y eak to convict and unfairly gotten
in. While thu defendant may not b. hurt
by private trial the church u certa n
ly be the loser. A private trial viii in
jure the cnurch whether the defendant be
convicted or acquitted"
y THE PRESIDENT MEMORABLE.
i President Hunter stated that under the
rules adopted the trial would be conduct
ed with closed doOvs. The object Of that
rule was to secure privacy. He knew OF
no exemption except in the case OF
bishop, who is the custodian OF the rec
.ords, the standing committee, who are
parties litigant, the officers OF the church,
and the witnesses.
Mr.. Charlton-"How about gentlemen
Of the press, Mr. Presidentf"
~ know of no exemption" said the
Preside and the little circle OF report
ers who had been interested listeners
arose and vanished into the ICY atmOs-
phere.
ARRIVAL OF THE DEFENDANT.
AS they fled out they met upon the
~ 0h lr A ~ At
the defendant, who diS not put in an APP
Dearance until it was settled that the
press would have to take up the line of
march. The prosecution then asked for
further time in which to act upon the
evidence, and the trial was postponed
until Jan. %. The charges against DR..
Armstrong are that while on visit to
Cincinnati last summer he became IN
tOxicated and visited bOufes of iil-repute.