St. Paul daily globe., 1893-05-24
The Presbyterian Assembly
Resolves Itself Into a
Court.
Formal Proceedings Of the
Trial Will Begin This
Afternoon.
The Professors Forces Gain a
Victory in the Preliminary
Skipmishing.
Passionate Appeals That No
Words Of Disapproval Be
Spoken.

WASHINGTON, May 23.-Big men
loomed up in the general assembly this
morning, big men physically and men
tally. There was the tall figure of Rev.
Tom Hail, the broad frame of Elder
Fudaly. the great form of Judge Wills,
of Gettysburg. There were others
equally burly and brainy. 1t was skIr-
mish proceeding in the battle of giants.
Voices rang out clearly and earnestly
in short and sharp debate over pro-
posal to refer Overtnres relating to the
Briggs case to the judicial committee.
Anti-Briggs men opposed such a refer
ence, but the proposal was finally car
ried, not because OF the strength of the
Briggs side SO much as the superior
strength of the position they held
on this particular point. In this
matter they had the committee on bills
and oYertures with them. The lawyers
threw themselves into the midst of the
conflict with the theologianS and were
worsted. Rev. Tom Hall routed the
ecclesiastical law. The right of petition
was maintained. 1t was the opening of
an interesting day. The report of the
Judiciary committee on
The Appeal of Prof. Briggs
was the order for the opening of the
afternoon session. After this skirmish
in the morning over the overtures, the
subject of home missions occupied the
a nf hN ii
eloquent speeches were made.
AT no time since the general assembly
began its sessions has there been so
large an attendance as was assembled
when, at 2:30 o'clock this afternoon,
DR.. Craig called the assembly to order.
1t was generally known that the report
of the judicial committee in the Briggs
case was the special order. and this was
sufficient to crowd the house. Galleries
and even the stairway were packed to
suffocation. The platform was filled
with distinguished visitors, too, and
members OF the. assembly. DR.. Briggs
on this momentous occasion made his
first appearance on the floor of the
house. He occupied a chair on low
platform Immediately in front of the
pulpit, and to the right of the mod
orator. just to his right, and in front
OF the moderator, sat nev. g. w. f.
Birch. chairman of the prosecuting
committee, while in the main aisle, just
behind Drs. Briggs and Birch, sat j. J.
McCook, a leading member of the same
committee.
DIR. Briggs Sat Quietly
throughout the preliminary proceedings,
apparently unmindful of the fact that
he was the observed Of all observers.
As Dr.. Baker read from the report, DR..
Briggs from time to time took notes, as
quietly as if, instead of being the CEN
tral figure, he was at most counsel of
the man under religious indictment.
Before the reading of the report began
Mr.. McDougall, of Cincinnati, moved
that the case before the assembly take
precedence OF all other business, and
this was speedily carried. The ven
cradle Dir. Smith, of Baltimore, prob
ably anticipating an outburst, sought,
In advance, to pour Oil on what
he thought might develop into troubled
waters. For this reason he suggested
that all expressions Of approval or dis
approval be prohibited. Moderator
Craig emphasized this suggestion and
called for absolute quiet, so that the
men, upon whom such great and tre-
mendouS duty involved, might be able
to hear, calmly ami dispassionately, all
God and the Presbyterian church." said
DR.. Craig, Il beg you to keep perfectly
quiet. l should be mortified beyond the
possibility of expression if any man
were to be disturbed by any evidence of
would. if it be in my
power, stamp 1t out with a ruthless
hand -