The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-05-24
BRIGGS AGAIN AN ISSUE,
The Celebrated Case Before The Gen.
Gral Assembly,

Up.
Washington, May 23-The half hours
devotion, previous to the beginning of the
business Of the day Of the Presbyterian
assembly, was conducted by Rev A, Mel
son Hallified of Newark, ~ j.
Under the rules DR.. Young, chairman
of the committee on bills and overtures
took the floor to present the report from
that committee distributing "A number of
bills and overtures to the several COM
mittees Of the assembly. Among them
were nine bearing directly or Indirectly
upon the case before tho judicial commit
tee (tho Briggs case). and these were
recommended TO be sent to that committee
The Rev DR. Charles II. Booth Of New
York secured the floor and in "a low
tone of voice began to speak
to the question There were
cries Of Louder" from all parts Of the
house. to which he responded, apologct-
ically, as he took the platform, Let me
get up steam first Having got up steam
he stated that he desired to enter his
protest against the obvious attempt to in
iiucnce the judicial committee, a sort of
trial court by pouring in upon it these
oyertures for and against a case which IL
was considering. II believe it to be false
in principle and false in policy"
BRIGGS FRIEND GETS THE FLOOR
As he took his seat u dozen lusty lungcd
commissioners voCiferously claimed the
right of succession to his place, but Mod
orator Craig's attention was given to
Prof Brown, Prof. Briggs colaborer
and sympathizer in the Union theological
seminary. There are some of us here, -
1,n gnfH tttrrla or1n1 10 ,,t
there are fifty or sixty of these overtures
that have been sent to the committee on
judiciary. But I think DR. Booth mis-
takes the functions Of that committee. 1t
is the business of the committee not to
decide questions, but To report business
to the assembly for disposition
here We have a right to know the senti-
ment of the church upon any subject be-
fore it and the only proper way to secure
knowledge of that sentiment is through
the committee of the assembly"
After further discussion the reCommCn-
dation of the committee as to the dispo-
sition Of the overtures was adopted by a
decisive vote.
THE BRIGGS CASE TAKEN UP.
The expectation that action would be
taken upon the Briggs case drew to
the New York Avenue church this after
noon larger crowd than was present at
any time previously The galleries, and
even the stairway, was packed TO suffoca-
tiOn. The platform was filed with dis
tinguishcd visitors and members Of the
assembly Among them was Senator
Cullom Of Illinois DR. Briggs made his
first appearance on the floor of the house.
He occupied a chair on a low platform
Immediately in front of the pulpit
and to the right of the moderator. Just
to his right and in front of the moderator
sat Rev G. w. T.. Birch, chairman Of the
prosecuting committee, while i'm the main
aisle Just behind Drs. Briggs and Birch
sat j. &. McCook, a leading member of the
prosecuting committee Dr. Briggs sat
quietly throughout the preliminary pro-
ceedings, apparently unmindful of the
fact that he was the observed of all OBJ
servers in this distinguished body. As
DIR. Baker read from the report, DR..
Briggs from time TO time took notes as
quietly as if, instead of being the central
figure, he was at most the counsel of men
under religious indictment.
Before the reading of the report began
DIR. McDougall of Cincinnati moved
that the case before the assembly take
precedence Of all other business an d this
was speedily carried.
The venerable DIR. Smith of Baltimore,
probably anticipating an outbreak sought
in advance TO prevent what he thought
might develop into troubled waters For
this reason he suggested that all express
sions of approval or disapprOval be pro-
hibited
Moderator Craig emphasized this sug-
gestion and called for absolute quiet, so
that the men upon whom such great
and tremendous duty involved might be
able to hear calmly and dispassionately
all that might be said. I'm the name Of
God and the Presbyterian church" said
DR. Craig, II beg you to keep
perfect quiet | should be mortified
beyond the possibility Of expression IL the
assembly were to be disturbed by any
evidence of disapprOval. | would, If it
be in my power, stamp it out with ruth
less hand. ."
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE.
DIR. Barker, chairman of the judicial
committee was then recognized and his
report, which is substantially covered
in the resolutions presented for action by
the assembly was as follows:
Resolved That the general assembly finds
that due notice Of appeal 10 this ease has been
given and that the specifications Of errors
alleged have been filed in due time. and that
the appeal is in order in accordance with the
provisions OF the book Of discipline.
Resolved That after judgment notice Of the
appeal and specifications OF errors alleged
have been read and tho parties have been
the presnytery Of New York as 10 whether
said appeal shall he entertained, three hours
being allotted for such hearing. viz: ~
hours TO each party; and after hearing from
the members Of the assembly, three hours be-
ing allotted for such hearing. the assembly
shall then vote upon the following resolution:
Resolved That the appeal from the de-
cision aud final Judgment OF the Presbytery
Of New York rendered jan. 9, 1898, be enter
tained by the general assembly. and il Is or
dered that the case proceed 10 trial In accord :
ance with the provisions Of the book Of dis
cipline
This report is signed by fifteen men,
bers Of the committee.
THE MINORITY REPORT.
The minority report recommends the
substitution for the above resolutions
of the following:
We find the appeal IN order and recommend
that the parties be- heard iu accordance with
the provisions Of the book Of discipline.
This report is signed by Messrs Myers,
Stcbbins and Nichols.
There Is much explanation and argu-
mcnt IN both reports
Some time was occupied in STRENGTHENING
ont the parliamentary situation. 10 was
finally decided 20 act upon the first rcso-
luton Of the majority report, which WAS
adopted Then q motion tO pass the Sec
Ond resolution was offered.
Mr. CutchOOu Of Detroit moved %
strike Out the limitation Of time Of The
debate by the parties in interest tO three
h0nrH. but thc assembly refused tO re-
move fhe restriction.
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