The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1893-05-26
THE CELEBRATED BRIGGS.
The Hereto, Before tho Presby-
terrain Assembly.
The Celebrated Dissenter Protests
Againsts the Appeal,
And Makes y Powerful Argument Agniasi
the rnkins er His Ercieslaatleai Ltfe-
ua May - tomprilrd 70 Ar
peal 70 the civil coarts

WASHINGTON, May ~. AT the after
noon session Of the Presbyterian Ecn-
eral assembly the ceiabratesl lir. Briggs
case was called neforc il,s assembly
convened there was On awful crush at
the door Of the church Inside every
foot Of space was occupicd and people
stood In tho lslcs up 10 the front whore
pews reserved for tho commissioners hc-
gan Hero ushers stood and kent tho
crowd back,
Dr. Briggs was early ON tic igannna
and took his scat III thetableinsitle tho
chancel vet apart for him lie invited
70 sit with him Ecv David II Frazier
Of Newark, N. q. Judge >. NJ. cutoh-
con, Of Detroit, ind Professor Francis
brown. Of Union biological seminary.
These gentlemen were invited there
MS sgfriends 10 ndvisc him on points
that might arise. On the opposite side
sat the prosecuting committee ~ the
New York Presbytsry, headed by nr.
Birch and Mr. John j. McCoolt. Drs
George ID, Baker. chairman OF the
| judicial committee WINS nlso there ready
TO make supplemental report rs
soon as the assembly opened. The
moderator opened the session with
prayer promptly ut half paet two
o'clock. He then announced that the
body was about 70 proceed 10 the cnse
before &c. The committee recommended
that the appellant Dc given one hour u
open tho cnse. that I'VE hours
be allowed tho appellee and that
the appellant be allowed two
hours To reply with the prlvi-
| lcrc IL an extension, but not to ex-
coed the five hours allowed the appel
leo Tho moderator then asked IL the
parties Ind any request 70 make rs 70
time. I1r. Briggs rising, said hn much
regretted to come before them In this
heat and spoke Of timc. He wished 70
do all he could on his part 70 maze
concessions as 10 time. Tho argument
he had prepared on the question ~ aI-
peal required four and d half hours.
lnnd he allowed half an hour to reply
ia any points raised during his nrgr-
mcnt In addition he had six conn
plants % submit. II nc were permit
tied to print these complaints Us a part
Iof the case he would forbcar reading
them.
Tho moderator said that they would
settle that matter when they came u
| IL He asked II Or. Briggs WINS not
satisfied with tho time. DR.. Briggs
latter some discussion, expresscd his
satisfaction.
The moderator said the assembly WIS
ready to hear the prosecuting purity
DR.. Birch, chairman Of the prosecuting
committee then arose and rend nm nrgu-
ment on the side az entertaining the
appeal IN his reply DR.. Briggs exhib-
ited some warmth and an nRlsres-
siveness Of character which justi-
fed what hns been said Of
him. In the course Of his speech.
the doughty doctor intimated very
strongly that II he could not obtain
justice In this high tribunal 81 his
church he would resort to the civil
4 courts and ridicnled the justice Of APP
pcaling over the decision Of the synod
of New York, which acquitted him Of
the charges against him
4 He spoke for one hour and q half and
/ will resume Thursday al o'clock.
There waa no evening session. The
assembly adjourned until Thursday at
1 a q