Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-05-28

| nSIeou jun together III al dVOWeQ aGGeInp'
to conserve the constitutional rights of the
individual, that union is significant.
There is an effort on foot to proceed with
the case to an end. This was shown by the
remark of prominent Commissioner: "We
want to decide this case. and set this man
adrift in the wilderness" With other.
there is a conviction that the Assembly is
| going too fast and making precedents with
too much speed and without sufficient de-
| liberation.
Afraid Of DR.. Briggs Influence.
A peculiar incident occurred in the after.
noon. DR.. Birsch was reading his paper,
supporting the appeal and quoting certain
words uttered by members of the Presby-
tery of New York at the Briggs trial when
a Commissioner raised the point of order,
'that 1t is improper to read those extracts,
lest some Commissioners here present may
be thereby Influenced"
A floral column of red roses, fully five
feet high, was placed to-day upon the desk
occupied by DR.. Briggs in the Presbyterian
General Assembly. The column was sur
mounted by white dove with outspread
wings
The hearing on the appeal was delayed to
on Church Erection. The Board of Church
Erection is one which never allows its ex-
penses to exceed its income. Applications
have been made for III church edifces and
53 manses, total of S119, 600. The total in
come amounted to $780, 900 and the expend-
itures to $102, 900. Aid was granted to 252
churches and A manses. At the close of
the reading, the report was accepted and its
recommendations adopted without debate.
The Court Gets Down to Business.
The Assembly was then again constructed
as court by the Moderator. A resolution
was introduced by Judge Struvell, of Mon
tana, looking to the return of the Briggs
case to the Presbytery of New York.
Amendments were offered slightly modify
ing this action, but with the same object in
view. The parties were allowed to with
draw in order to prepare form of action
which should be mutually acceptable, and
while they were thus consulting the reading
of report on the revision of the Confession
of Faith began. just before closing the
reading of the revision report the parties to
the appeal returned from their consultation.
The revision then went over again as un-
finished business
Judge Struven stated that there had been
no agreement reached, and Elder McCook
was designated by DR.. Birsch as the one
selected to make known the will of the
committee. The resolutions were read by
the clerk. Mr.. McCook regretted he was
to again address the Assembly.
He said:
Ready and Anxious for the Fray.
On November 4 it was urged by me that
we should then proceed to trial. The Pres
bytery did not see fit to accept the PROPOSE
ton, but made decision from which we
have appealed. We are here prepared to
argue the appeal, and we can do it in Is
Is hours or 10 days. The Assembly
has relieved US of all questions concerning
the past. If you say drop the case, we shall
gladly do it; but We stand here now pre-
pared to go on. The responsibility must be
proposal to return and begin the case in
New York. This might be interpreted to
mean new charges and specifications,
whereas we desire only the privilege of
sary.
Another suggestion is that the Presbytery
gestion we most vigorously deprecate.
The Moderator then ruled that as the |
Committee on Prosecution refuses to agree
to the proposition suggested, and to allow |
the case to go back at once to New York, |
the Assembly must proceed to hear the ap- |
peal. The question is whether the appeal |
shall be sustained in part or in full or pro |
iorma, after which it Is in the discretion of |
The Assembly to reverse or modify the |
Judgment of the inferior judicatory, if |
pliers are found, or to remand the case for a
new trial.
Won't Consent to a Remand.
1t was evidently desired BY a very large
part of the house that the case be remanded,
out this was thwarted by the refusal of the
to consent. The proposition to
sustain the appeal pro forma elected a
vigorous negative head-shaking by DR..
Birsch. Mr.. McCook said the question is
dismissal or a full sustaining of the appeal.
Pro lorna action is not desired.
At the afternoon session Elder Junkiu, of
Philadelphia, offered resolution to bring
matters before the court to close. He pro-
posed to reverse the decision of the Presby-
cry, send back the papers and direct the
oresbytery of New York to try the case on
is merits without prejudice to either party.
He declared the Assembly cannot try the
ase at this session upon its merits. If the
.ction of the Presbytery had been unjust to
he defendant, he ought to have an oppor-
unity to stand before his peers and assert
nd prove his innocence of the charge.
DR. Mcpherson, of Chicago, seconded the
esolution. He said he understood Dr.
Briggs would confess judgment upon two
|
efficient to allow the Assembly to send
ack the case.
Briggs Willing to Confess Two Points.
IF the Assembly received the appeal when
70 plea was entered in the lower court, and
o sworn testimony heard, it would invali-
ate the rights of every member of the
hurch, and these are higher than those of
ny individual
After a brief argument, DR.. Briggs stated
e would personally be willing to confess
Judgment upon two points in the appeal,
nd would do SO after consultation with
lembers of the Presbytery. Colonel Nc
jook stated that che appeal must be sus-
aimed, the decision of the Presbytery re-
ersed and the PresbYtery directed to try
ne case on its merits On these grounds
ne Prosecution Committee would be glad {
D accept the proposal
Upon the return of the conferees Dr.
riggs stated he agreed to DR.. Junkin's re-
'Iution, but objection was entered by the
rosecuting Committee, and the Moderator
ecided that the case must proceed. Then
n. Birsch went over the grounds of the ap-
cal and specification Hereunder. When
lie reading was concluded DR.. Briggs was
card for an hour in rebuttal and a recess