The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1892-06-04
BRIGGS, CASE.
4 Strong Movement TO Refer tho Case
Back to tho New York prosbytery.

4 Strong Movement TO Refer tho Case
Back to tho New York PrOsbytery.
PORTLAND, Ore, May 2s.-A floral
column of red roses, fully five feet high,
was placed Friday upon the desk occu.
pied by DIR. Briggs, in the Presbyterian
general assembly. The column was
surmounted by white dove with out.
stretched wings. His case is still on.
drawn more closely. and men who have
no sympathy with the views of DR..
Briggs are joining in opposition to the
resolute effort of some to force it
through the assembly.
When such men as Elder Junkin and
DR.. Mcpherson join together in an
avowed attempt to conserve the consti-
tutional rights of the individual, that
union is significant. There is an effort
on foot TO proceed with the case to an
end. This was evidenced by remark
of prominent commissioner: 1--WE
want to decide this case and set this
man adrift in the wilderness" With
others is conviction that the assembly
is going too fast and making precedents
with too much speed and without suffi-
cient deliberation.
A peculiar incident occurred in the af-
ternoon. DR.. Birch was reading his
paper supporting the appeal, and quot
ing certain words uttered by members
of the presbytery of New York at the
Briggs trial, when commissioner
raised point of order 'that it is i'm
proper to read these extracts, lest COM
missioncrs here present may be thereby
influenced" At the afternoon session FL
der Junlsin, of Philadelphia, offered u
resolution to ring matters before the
court to a close. He proposed to re-
verse the decision of the prcsbytery,
send back the papers, and direct the
prcsbytcry of New York to try the case
upon it's merits, without prejudice to
either party, He declared the assembly
can not'try the case at this session upon
its merits. The action of the presbytery
was unjnst to dcfcndant-he ought to
have had an opportunity to stand before
his peers and assert and prove his inno-
cence of the charges.
| DIR. Briggs stated he would personally
be willing to confess Judgment upon
two points in the appeal, and would do
SO later on in consultation with men,
bers of the presbytery. Col. McCoolS
stated the appeal must be sustained,
the decision of the presbytery reversed
and the presbytery directed to try the
case on it's merits. On these grounds
the prosecuting committee would be
| glad to accept the proposal.
Upon the return of the conferees DIR.
Briggs stated that he agreed to
Jun6in's resolution, but objection was
entered by the prosecuting committee,
and the moderator ruled that the case
must proceed. Then DR.. Birch went
over the grounds of the appeal and
specification Hereunder When the
reading was concluded, DR.. Briggs was
heard for an hour in rebuttal. 1t was
evidently desired by very large part OF
the house that the case be remanded,
but this was thwarted by the refusal OF
the prosecutors to consent
The proposition to sustain the appeal
pro forma elected vigorous negative
headshaliing by Dr. Birch Mr.. McCool,
said that the question was dismissal
or a full sustaining of the appeal; pre-
forma action was not desired. A man
datory order for the reception of dele
gates from other denominations TEN
porarily postponed the case of appeal