Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1892-03-24

Inllk DIbtlltT NIThTEu tllus tll'l iltt
know the writing" On discrimination
witness said; II have known Mr., Corkran
for n number Of years. Our relations,
until recently, were pleasant
T. j. Carroll one of the persons who
preferred the charge testified: II heard
the letter read ut Milford, when confer
ence met thcre in 1880. ] asked who WINS
it and was told that it was being
circulated by several persons, among whom
was Brother Corkran, | have received two
letters in respect to that one. do not
positively know where the letter came
from. / did not know the writing"
The Rev, W. II. McFarlane, who was
pastor at Annamesscx at the time in ques-
ton, testified: "The postinark on the en-
velope was Crisficld The letter was pre-
scented to the quarterly conference and the
secretary requested to sign it OH behalf OF
the church,"
The Messrs. Wilmington OF Anna
messex also testified for the prosecution.
Mr.. McFarlane was called by the de-
fence, ms also was Mr.. Common, secretary
of the board of stewards at Annamessex.
After the defence had introduced docu-
mentary evidence DR.. Corkran took the
stand.
There was no argument but the Rev. j..
b. Quigg, representing the prosecution,
and the Rev. Robert Watt, representing
the defence eaci. made a statement.
DR.. Corkran, by unanimous vote, was
acquitted of the charge.
CHARGES DROPPED.
The charges against Presiding Elder
Murray and the Revs. II. l.. Hubbard,
Vaughan s. Collins, 7. u. Martindale, j.
Il. Quigg and others have been dropped.
They were for defamation of character
and were preferred by friends of Presiding
Elder Wilson. lie refused to sign them
or authorize anybody to sign them for
him. Another reason why they were not
pressed was that before minister can be
accused of defamation of character he
must be admonshed twice, which had NOT
been done i'll this case.
Wilmington NJ. Il. Conference reassem-
bled in open session on Saturday in Grace
Church, Bishop Andrews presiding.
From $50 to O'Clock there were deyo
tional exercises, which were conducted in
the lecture room by the Rev. John France
Business began soon after 9 o'clock
when the minutes of the secret sessions
were read and approved, ms was also report
of the investigation by committee of the
charge against Presiding Elder Corkran.
THE BISHOP REVIEWS THE TRIAL.
The bishop congratulated the conference
and Presiding Elders Wilson and Corkrar
on the result of the trials, and declared tht
verdicts to be in accord with the evi
dence. He believed the conference, as {
body, is opposed to partsanship and salts
fled with the result of the trials. He con
graduated the secretary on the very salts
factory way in which he had kept thu
journal. Next the bishop delivered tn,
following address:
The president Of tho conference congratu
lates the conference and the Rev. Brother
Wilson and Corkran on the issue OF the tw'
trials now closed. He believes that the verdict
which have been found are in accordance witt
| the evidence In each case, and that they ar,
cisar indications that the conference, as
| body, intends that no craftsmanship or want o
candor shall mar its work. And the history o
the matters which have been In controvers,
should as he believes, emphasize for the min
| istry and laiy Of the Wilmington Conference
| the rule OF Discipline given in paragraph 100
"Be)leve evil of no one without good evidence
unless you SOC 1t done take heed how yo
| credit it. Put the best construction on every
| thing"
| The president also deems this ut occasion
| for making additional statements relating I
| the honor OF the conference and the reputH
| ton Of some of its most valued ministers.
IL is we'll known that in many newspapers @
| this Peninsula IL has been published tina
| charges would be preferred at this session @
| the conference against several ministers ad
/ ditional TO the two named above; that som
| damaging particulars OF those charges hav
also been published, and the parties TO be thu
| accusations.
The conference. in its opening session O
| Wednesday morning, requested all person
| having charges to be presented to place thor
at once in the hands Of the president, that h
| might examine them in reference to the la
questions that might arise thereon.
In accordance with this request six bills {
| charges and Specifications were at once place
with the president, additional to those whic
have now been investigated, and aided b
Bishop Foss he entered at once on the exam
nation of them.
ON Wednesday afternoon, in the presence
the conference, his returned all these paperi
accompanying the return with a statemei
concerning actionable offences. and concern
ing the proper and legal form OF bills {
charges aud specifications.
ON Thursday morning, u call was made an
repeated In open conference for the forme
presentation OF charges against members
the conference. None of tho six bills
4 charges and specifications named above, {
any notifications of them, were or have bee
presented to the conference. And thus IL hu
come to pass that members of the conferenC
who have been notified that charges would Il
presented against them, and who have, wit
others, seen in the public journals statemen
more or less full and correct of the ntende
charges, have had any opportunity to dispos
Of the allegations made against them; M
have the allegations been publicly withdraw
The president OF the conference deems
just and brothery TO make tho following stat
ments concerning tho charges and specifci
tons which were placed in his hands:
!. TWO OF inc nills OF charges ana speclhc'
tons were without signatures. NO one al
peareu 70 20 rospohslpnno ior lhe arcusaliol
when they conlalheu. ihls Inny or may u,
nave occurred 'hfough mauvertehce; BUT
either Gaze these charges and Specification
had no legal standing, and wore OF the ran
value only as anonymous Wrillngs OF mo san
Import
u. MOST OF inc spcciilcations aiieseu !
various forms the use OF understandable word
chasing them under various heaus as mi
chici Making, Exclamation, %c.
tdl Upon examination me following iacts NJ
| peureu. NONE o. tlo spociucauun oi uoltlh
ton were signed by tho person alleged to hll
beon deianed-bit were signed ny porsol
presumably NOT personally acquainted WI
The facts IN Tue case.
(y some OF inc unwarrantaDlo words ailegt
70 nave deem used were such eriticlsin :,