The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-05-30
BRIGGS CASE DISPOSED OF
The Presby terian General Assembly Rid
of the Matter for the Present.
Appeal Against the Action of New York Pres
bytery in Dismissing the Case Sus-
tained-The Prosecution Pleased.

PORTLAND. Ore. May 29.-At last nights
session of the Presby yterian General Assem-
bly, the Briggs case was disposed of so far
as this assembly is concerned. By vote
which.under the law of the church. is to be
reokoned as 400 to 81 the appeal against the
action of the Presbytery of New York in
dismissing the case was sustained in whole
OF in part. Final action was deferred until
Monday. but the action then will be only
formal. as the constitution preseribes what
il shall be. The papers in the case will be
sent back to the presby terry. and it will be
ordered to proceed with tho trial which it
voted to discontinue
With the ending of the Briggs case"
the assembly came to the question as to
how 1T is regarded by those affected. The
prosecution is jubilant because 1t got all it
demanded. DR.. Briggss opponents are sat
listed. and will return to New York to re-
new their work, though they disclaim that
they have any zeal in the matter. The
position OF the conservative men Is that of
partial satisfaction. some being dissatisfied
because the case was not brought to all
absolute decision on the spot In CONVEX
satlOn Dr. Briggs called attention TO the
anomalous position which he occupied in
the appeal case. The real defendant was
the Presbytery of New York, though for
reasons entirely technical he was COM
pelled to appear and defend his action. Be-
ing the second original party" in the case.
he had to resist the appeal which was
brought by the other original parties"
although the appeal was not against him
nor anything he had donc, but solely
against the presbytery's action. He ex-
pressed his desire that the presby terry
should proceed with the trial under proper
and sufficient charges and specifications,
but. though he had been called to plead.
he had grave objections
Expressing his own personal views q
prominent officer of the assembly said
"a man W who is accused of stealing chickens
objects to being tried for stealing horse"
The same man SAID that if the members of
the judicial committee had taken the trou-
BILE TO read the real record of the case. in
stead of relying on printed COPY prepared
by the prosecution. they would have been
compelled To report against entertaining
the appeal. because of it's similarity, not to
say identity. with the complaint OF the same
parties, with Others now pending. before
the Synod of New York.
In the vote or yesterday Moderator
Young had no voice, being debarred by the
constitution. but he expressed himself Gs
satisfied with the action taken.
The business of tomorrow in the Briggs
case is only formal. A resolution disposing
of the case will be offered early and it is
not expected thatthere will be much dis
cussion. but the wording of it is regarded
as important and the interests of all par
ties will be carefully guarded. The order
for 10 o'clock is a supplementary report of
the theological seminaries committee. 1ti
almost identical with the report submitted
some days ago. and will scarcely be con-
ducive of the harmony which was desired.
will be assaIled on this ground. The rest
of the business session will be hurried
through. because of a growing desire of the
commissioners to return to their homes.