The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-06-01
THE APPEAL SUSTAINED
RESULT or THE Y0TE IN THE
BRIGGS HEREsY CASE.
Thus tho Accused Loses n NJ ost Impor-
tant Point-The Present Status
of the Case.

| WASHINGTON, d. c.. May si.-In The
| Presbyterian General Assembly this morn
ing. after the opening devotions, fifteen
minutes were exl austed in a desultory
| discussion OF the order OF procedure, the
result Of which was that the assembly
ordered with an evident confusion and
| lack Of understanding Of just what they
were DOING the roll to be called. The
! commit sioners az called were 10 give
reasons for their votes. speeches TO be
| limited TO three minutes This soon be-
came monotonous and tiresome. and
| shortly before noon, when Kansas had
been reached. In call OF the synods the
moderator arose and said: DR.. Briggs
Is very weary Of this proceeding, and he
has asked that he be excused by the
moderator from further attendance as
a party. I cheerfully grant this request
Or. Briggs then left the church amid a
buzz from the galleries. He looked tired
and sad and seemed glad TO get away.
At S:45 tonight voting began upon the
first specification in substance that the
Pr,sbytery of New York on objections
made by Dr. Briggs, required the prose-
cutting committee to amend the amended
charges and specifications by striking out
q arge f.
The specification was sustained by
vote of 2s2 10 100 This vote showed that
the attendance was seventy-seven less
than the number present when the vote
vas taken Friday on sustaining the ap-
peal. the vote on which was 405 ayes 10
IA noes. The second and third ground
OF appeal were sustained with all their
specifications.
The fourth ground Of appeal alleged
manifestation OF prejudice In the con-
duct of the case" and Of it's six specifica-
tions the Briggs men carried two and
came within two votes Of carrying an
other.
The fifth and last ground Of appeal
contained eleven specifications Of error,
and 1t charged mistake or injustice In the
decision"
The specifications were all sustained.
The vote then REQUIRED on the main
question, "Shall the appeal be sustained
which was adopted. BeOre beginning the
roll-call the moderator announced that
the form Of answer would be sustained
or mot sustained" and that commits
sioners might vote to Sustain in part
but that such votes would be counted as
part Of the total TO sustain the appeal.
The roll was then called In the midst or
an almost painful stiffness. the spectators
in the gallery rising TO their feet In their
anxiety 10 catch every response. The vote
was announced at 1913 by the stated clerk
as follows:
Whole number OF votes cast 499; 10
sustain the appeal ZgS; to sustain in part,
IS: total 10 sustain the appeal, 3S3; not
to sustain, ll6
The Status Of the Case.
AS there seems TO be, in the best In
formed quarters some confusion as 10
the present position Of the Briggs case,
and the exact question before the General
Assembly. a succinct statement or the
position may be Of interest.
Under the rules Of the Church govern
ing a trial such as the present there are
four parties having the right TO be heard:
I. The prosecution, which In this case
is the appellant.
Q The defence. which in this case Is
the appellee Or Briggs.
2. The commissioners TO the General
Assembly from the judicatory, whose
judgment is being appealed from which
in this case is the Presbytery Of New |
York.
4. The members Of the superior judica-
tory trying the appeal, which is the Cen |
eral Assembly
the fourth is now having it's innings.
The General Assembly is calling the |
roll by synods. and those who desire to |
be heard are making three minute /
speeches. This is equivalent to a con-
among the judges Of Jurors,
whichever one may please TO call the /
commissioners. At the noon recess to-
day two-ffths Of the synods had been
called and had expressed their opinions,
and had occupied two hours and half
in so doing.
When this roll is complete the next step
will be the presentation Of a motion 20
the house: "Shall the appeal be sustain
adY
There are five grounds Of appeal and
thirty-four specifications. Each Of these
specifications will be voted upon singly
At the end Of the voting on these the
roll will be called upon the general ques-
ion: Shall the appeal be sustained"
Should the appeal be not sustained
he voting on the specifications Will go for
naught. Should # be sustained. # will
be equivalent 20 verdict Of guilty
against DR.. Briggs A committee will |
hen be appointed 10 prepare a minute
'or submission TO the General Assembly.
prescribing the punishment to be melted
)ut.
There are five things the General AS
'embly can do I'm such a case. They can
ldmonish. rebuke, suspend, depose him
rom the ministry, or they can expel him
rom the church.
In the case Of conviction one Of the
hree last courses is likely TO follow.
Some Of the delegates hope TO cut
he voting short by resting decision
Ipon the general question. "Shall the
ppeal be sustained" but OF this there is
lot much likelihood, so far as can be
judged at present.