Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1892-06-02
UNABLE TO AGREE
Prof. Briggs Case Still Before
the Presbyterian General
Assembly.
An Attempt Made to Send the
Case Back to the New York
Presbytery.

PORTLAND Ore, May ga floral column
OF red roses 'ully five feet high was placed
to-day upon the desk occupied by Dr..
Briggs, in the Prcsbyteraes general assem-
bly,. The column was surm ounted BY a white
dove, with outspread wings The attend
ancc ana interest in the proceedings we're
undimnished;
The hearing on the appeal was DELAYED
to receive report of the standing CON-
mittee on church extension. because of the
necessary departure OF DR.. White. secretary
OF the board. The report was heard by the
assembly in perfr,nctory manner. The
board of church erection is one which
never allows its expenses to exceed its in
come. Applications have been made for
Ill church edifces and li,y-thrce
manses, total of $l73OOO. The
total income amounted to 100000
and the expenditures to 100000. Aid
was granted to 272 churches and "A manses
At the close OF the reading the report was
accepted and its recommendations adopted
without debate. The assembly again con-
stituted itself court by the moderator. A
resolution was introduced by Judge Stru-'
veil OF Montana looking to the return of
the Briggs case to the presbytery of New
York. Amendments were Offered slightly
modifying this action, but with the same
object in view. The parties were allowed
to withdraw TO prepare a form CT action
which should be mutually acceptable, and
while they were thus consulting the reading
OF report on the revision OF the cor fession
OF faith was begun. Just before closing the
reading of the revision report the parties to
the appeal returned from their consulta-
ton. The revision then went over again
as unfinished business.
COULD NOT AGREE.
Judge Struvcll stated that there had been
no agreement reached, and Elder McCook
was designated by DR.. Birch as the one Sc
lected to make known the will Of the COM
mittee. The resolutions were reread by
the clerk. Mr.. McCook regretted that he
was again compelled to address the assemb-
ly. He said:
On Nov. it was urged by me that we should
then proceed to trial. The presbytery did not
see fit to accept the proposition: but made a de-
cislon which we have appealed We are here pre-
pared to argue the appeal. and we can do IT in
fifteen minutes, fifteen hours or fifteen days The
assembly has relieved us OF all questions con-
corning the past. II you say drop the case we
+ shall gladly do it. but we stand here now pre-
: pared to go on. The responsibility must be with
4 the assembly. We can't accept the proposal 10
Il return and begin the case in New York. de novo.
II This might be interpreted to mean new charges
u and specifications. whereas desire only the
n privilege OF amending former papers, ii thought
" necessary. Anot her suggestion is that the pres
u bytery be directed to try the case fairly.
N This suggestion We most vigorously
The moderator then ruled
that as the committee on prosecution re-
II fuses to agree to the proposition suggested
4and to allow the case to so back at once to
New York, the assembly must proceed to
II hear the appeal. The question is whether
1.-The appeal shall be sustained III part or in
full. or pro forma, after which it is in the
93idiscretion of the assembly to reverse or
Z modify the judgment Of the inferior judica-
Il tory, if errors are found, or to remand the
III case for new trial.
S THE LINES IN THE APPEAL CASE
y are being drawn more closely, and men
4 who have no sympathy with the views of
DIR. Briggs are strong in their efforts to
i force it through the assembly. When such
Il men as Elder Junkin and DR.. MCPHERSON
4 Join together in an avowed attempt to con-
4 serve the constitutional rights of the in
4 dividual, that union is significant. There
4 is an effort on foot to proceed with the case
to all end This was evidenced by the re-
/ mark OF a prominent commissioner: "We
want to decide this case and set this man
adrift in the wilderness" There is con-
vic.ion that the assembly is going too last last
much speed. and without sutfi.
Gent deliberation. A peculiar incident
occurred IN the afternoon. DR.. Birch was
reading his paper supporting the appeal
and quoting certain words uttered by men,
. bers Of the rresbytery of the Briggs trial,
when commissioner raised the point ofor-
der THAT it is improper to read these ex-
tracts lest some present may be thereby in
fuenced."
At the afternoon session Elder Junkn Of
Philadelphia offered a resolution to bring
matters before the court to close. He
proposed to reverse the decision of the
presbytcry send back the papers and di-
rect the presbytery OF New York to try the
case upon its merits
WITHOUT PREJUDICE TO EITHER PARTY.
He declared the assembly cannot try the
case at this session upon its merits. The
action o: the presbytery has been uni ust TO
defendant that he ought to have an op-
portunity 70 stand before his peers aud
assert and prove his innocence OF the
charges. DR.. Mcpherson of Chicago Sec
onded the resolution. He said he under
stood DIR. Briggs would confess Judgment
upon two Of The grounds OF appeal. These
would be sufficient to allow the assembly
to send back the case. If the assembly re.
ceived the appeal when no plea was entered
in the lower court and no sworn testimony
heard. it would invalidate the rights of
every member OF the church, and these are
After brief argument DR.. Briggs stated
he would personally be willing to confess
judgment upon two points in the appeal.
and would do SO after consultation with the
members OF the presbytery.
Col. McCook stated the appeal must be
sustained, the decision of the presbytery
reversed, and the presbytery directed to
try the case on its merits. On these
grounds the prosecution committee would
be glad to accept the proposal. Upon the
agreed to Junkin's resolution, but objec-
ton was entered by the prosecution conf
mittee, ana the moderator ruled that the
case must proceed.
Then DR.. Birch went over the grounds OF
the appeal. DR.. Briggs was heard a.. aor al, an
ill s p. nj.
Assistance for Their Comrades.