Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-10-09

NEW YORK, october 6.-ln the Prot-
estant Episcopal Convention the order of the
day was the report of the committee on the
judicial system of the Church. In this re-
port the majority of the committee state that
there are only two modes for obtaining the
relief of which all seem to admit the ne
cessity.
One is that the general convention recon-
mend to the dioceses, for adoption by them,
canon for the trial of clergymen. making
provision both for courts of first instance
and for courts of appeal. The other is that
the general convention change article 6, of
the constitution, and then enact a uniform
canon for the whole Church. The committee
decided that the first plan would be unbe-
coming and undignifed in the convention,
an unwarrantable interference with dio-
cesar independence and practically fruit
less.
THE PRACTICAL PLAN.
The second plan proposed is pronounced
the only regular, direct and reasonable
mode of providing remedy for the admit
tedly deplorable condition of the present
system. As to the form which this change
should take, two plans have been advo-
Gated.
One was that the general convention have
power to establish only courts of appeal with
out interfering with the present mode of trial
in courts of first instance instituted by the
respective dioceses; the other, that the
change be unrestrictive, SO that the general
convention may either establish courts of
appeal, only, or if that be found impractical
BILE or Ineffective, it may establish a uni
form and complete system throughout all
the dioceses. The committee, of these two
plans finds the second the only practicable
one.
The committee recommended that COM
mission be formed to draft two canons for
consideration in the next general conven-
tion, one providing for system of appellate
courts only and the other for uniform
system of trial in all the dioceses, including
courts of appeal. The committte formu-
lated and presented canon covering the
entire procedure in the trial ofa clergyman,
accompanying it with an explanation that
the canon is merely offered to show the line
upon which such a canon might be con-
structed.
DIFFERENT VIEW.
The minority comes to the opinion that
change in the judicial system is desirable
W IhC CAsCuS VI q IcVlcWIQR
tribunal, but they are not of the opinion that
"the proper and only practicable methods of
affecting such change is by the legislative
acts of this body, or that an alteration of ar
ticle of the constitution is necessary. They
express beliefthat each diocese is competent
to provide for itself complete system of
judicature, including a suitable court of ire-
vision, and that ''the practical difficulties
in the way Of establishing courts of appeal
by the general convention are so serious that
they cannot be overcome"
Mr.. Hill Burgwin, lay delegate from
Pittsburg, and member of the committee,
spoke in favor of the majority report The
report melted the indignation of Dr. Nelson,
of Virginia.
1--WE are told" said he, "that our clergy
need more defense, but should they be put
upon the plane of the thief or criminal? If
a lawyer or a naval officer who is tried before
his peers is acquitted on technical grounds,
his reputation is gone and a clergyman
would not have more. If this resolution is
passed, instead of enlarging his rights you
will cut them of. We do not need uni
formity in ecclesiastical any more than in
civil affairs. Upon the subject of divorce
and hundred other things we have differ
ing views. Even if we have this court, it is
simply impossible, while there lives Anglo
Saxons to encroach upon liberty of thought
by such judicial uniformity"
A RADICAL STEP.
Dr. Gibson, of New York, thought that
the resolution of the committee was radical
and revolutionary. DIR. Hull, of Massa-
chusetts, took DR.. Nelson to task about some
about celebrated ecclesi-
astical case in England, which he was sure
had proceeded from the reverend gentle
mans error. DIR. Nelson inquired if the
speaker denied that the defendant in the |
case did not perform certain |
actions.
The chair here interposed and granted |
DR.. Goodwin, of Pennsylvania, the floor. |
The amendment offered by DR.. Goodwin was |
to strike out the word until" in the resolu- |
ton and insert the words Except in SO far |
as" He declared that the law was desir- |
able if e1pedient; that on points of ritual
and doctrine there should be some common |
tribunal instead of 90 separate courts.
Others who spoke in favor of the resolutions
were Judge Pierson, OF Albany, Rev. Mr.. |
Parks, of Connecticut, and Mr.. Fairbank,
Of Florida. The convention then adjourned.
The committee appointed to nominate the
trustees of the General Theological Semin-
ary named the following: Rev. Drs.
Dawes. of Pennsylvania; Colt, of New
Astwill, of Ohio; King, of
Long Island; Mills, OF New Jersey, and W.
n. Burgwin, of North Carolina.
The appointment of a joint com
nittee to examine the condition of
he colored people in the South is as
ollows: Rev. Drs. Phillip Brooks, of
Massachusetts,, Bird, of Florida; StringfeI-
ow, of Tennessee; Vibbert, of Chicago; Nc
Jonnell, of louisiana; Wilmer, of Mary
and; Stortsenburg, of Indiana; Morgan of