The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1893-06-01
WILL TRY DIR. BRIGGS.
THE sPREsBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY WILL
CONSIDER THE APPEAL.
Lively and Acrimonious Debate on the Com
mittee's Report-Dr. Briggs Denied the
Privilege Of Replying to AL
legged Misrepresentation.

WASHINGTON, May 26.-The largest
attendance in the history of the 105th
assembly of the Presbyterian church
in the United States of America was
present when today's proceedings
were ushered in. DR.. Kneeland r.
Ketchum Of New Jersey was recog-
nized by the moderator on the ques-
ton, "Shall the appeal be sustained?"
He favored sending the case of Prof
Briggs back to the synod. Elder Nc
Dougale of Cincinnati, charged with
the duty of opening in sup
port of the motion to enter
tain the appeal, took the platform.
Something of a sensation was Gre
ated when he made an attack on
Briggs. He referred to certain re-
marks which the doctor had made in
his speech in his'own defense, and
said he had offered, if the case was
sent back to the synod, to waive his
constitutional right.
Professor Briggs asked for moment
in which to reply to the misrepre-
sentation of himself which he asserted
McDougle had made. There were
cries of "No, no, don't hear him."
negatives being strongly in the ma.
jority.
"Dr. Briggs has a right to protec-
tion," said DR.. Dutfield, the venerable
professor of Princeton, land if his
words are misrepresented he ought to
be given an opportunity to explain
them,n
Even to this appeal there were loud
cries of "No, no." but the moderator
finally decided to give Professor
Briggs one minute.
The bitterness of spirit manifested
in McDougle's remarks brought to the
surface much of that subdued fee ing
which has been kept under cover tor
so long. Several delegates INDUCED
in short talks bearing on the ques
tions connected with the prosecution.
The venerable DR.. Dutfield of
Princeton college said he had gen.
eral personal appreciation of the
scholarship and Christian character
of DIR. Briggs. "It his logical facul.
ties were equal to his scholarship
1 do not know his equal in the
intellectual world of America at
least.n
AS soon as the gavel fell on DR.. Duff
field the most sensational scene of the
day ensued. In the course of the
venerable DOCTORS remarks his state
ment of Prof. Briggs teachings were
questioned by several commissioners,
and the professor himself gave utter
ance to an expression which could not
be understood by the reporters. But
as DR.. Duffield stepped down he came
almost into direct contact with Prof.
Briggs, who, with flashing eyes, had
st-%lng to his feet, demanding to be
heard. A storm of dissent aud cries
of "order" Immediately broke over
the assembly. A scene Of great ex-
citeolent and disorder ensued, the
moderator telling DIR. Briggs he could
not be heard now, the latter appealing
to the moderator and to the house to
be permitted to make explanation.
Finally Professor Briggs took his seat
and the storm subsidized. A passion
ate address against the plea of DR..
Briggs was made by Rev. w. M. Z.
Young;D. D., of Danville, KY, mod.
orator of the last assembly. After
further argument the debate was de-
clared closed.
Judge Purnell of Baltimore, offered
a motion to remand the case to the
New York synod. This was defeated
by viva voce vote and again by a
rising vote. The question recurring
on the resolution of the ju-
dicial committee that the APP
peal be entertained, the yeas and
nays were demanded and roll call be-
gan. The result Of the vote Mas as
follows Yeas 400, nays las.
The judicial committee was in-
structed to prepare program for pro
cedure in the trial of the appeal and
the assembly dscided to proceed with
the trial tomorrow morning The
assembly then adjourned. The trial
will proceed tomorrow morning.