The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1893-05-27
BRIGGS TRIAL TG PROCEED.
The Presbyterian Assembly En-
tertalns the Appeal.
4 VERY BITTER DEBATE.
The Vote Was 400 for, to 145 Against
the Question.
Call of the Roll Was Had Amidst Almost
PAINFUL Silenee-Progress of ths
Vote Followed with Great
Interest.

'NNO AoAOhCA WIN 04Ne-e
Interest.
WASHINGTON, May 26.-By a vote Of
400 to 145 the Presbyterian general assem-
bly, this afternoon decided to entertain
the appeal in the case of DR.. Briggs, and
the assembly will proceed with the trial
tomorrow morning. The roll call on the
resolution was taken amidst almost pain
full silence, during which the defendant
watched with feverish anxiety the prog
ress of the vote. All over the house ard
in the galleries the vote was followed in
tently. While the roll was being called
Moderator Craig yielded the chair to ex-
Moderator William O.. Roberts and him
self voted 'saye'' Throughout the long
debate of the morning there were many
evidences of feeling and several of the
speakers took advantage of the opportu-
nifty to arraign the defendant, shake
their fingers sternly at him and other
wise express condemnati on. AS one
brother expressed it, fThey forgot for
the time being that they were members
OF a court of Jesus Christ. - II was an
interesting spectacle and a scene never to
be forgotten.
When the assembly convened this morn
ing IAGN. LII NICHOLS. Oh kJB. ana
Elder Per5nIng were, at their own re-
quest, retired from the judicial commits
sion In the case, and Rev. w. Il. Rey-
nolds, of Minnesota, and Elder Law, OF
California. were appointed in their places
Rev. Hoyt was added to the committee TO
visit Cleveland on the matter of traffic in
firearms in the western Pacific.
The main question, "Shall the appeal
by the New York Presbytery to the gem
eral assembly direct, instead OF first going
I to the synod, be entertainment was then
taken up. DR.. Ketchum, OF New Jersey,
favored sending the case back to the
synod, and said that at the end of the de-
bate he would make a motion to that
effect.
Elder McDougal, of Cincinnati. stated
that by arrangements with the chairman
of the judiciary committee he was charged
with the duty of opening in support Of
the motion to entertain the appeal, and
he took the platform A storm of pro-
test arose against this led by DR.. Herrick
Johnson, OF Chicago.
Elder McDougal referred to certain re-
marks which DR.. Brigg made in his own
defense and said he offered, if the case
was sent back TO the synod. to wave his
constitutional right.
"No, - said Briggs, interrupting.
! "Ah! thought so, +" said McDougall,
| sfyou will get the case back to the synod
and then you will insist upon all the
constitutional rights that you can think
OF" The elder continued in better strain
and now and then murmeur Of surprise
swept over the assembly.
J Mr.. Briggs asked for moment to reply
to McDougall, midst cries of ''no'' and
shear him, Briggs was given one
minute and explained that he had not
offered to waive any constitutional rights
but said he would leave a settlement OF
those rights to the synod.
DIR. Fulton, OF Philadelphia, was per-
sonally sure that although the assembly
might have a majority IN favor of trying
the case here, public opinion was over
| whelmingly against such course.
! DIR. Hays, of Danville, KY, made a
strong argument in favor of present con-
sideration of the case.
DR.. Herrich johnson, of Chicago, said
the only Interpretation of the rules Of the
church was to send it back to the New
! York synod.
DR.. McGaw, of Toledo, said the question
was what course should be taken TO Sc
cure peace earliest. That course was
surely to send the case to the synod.
Elder Thomas Kane, of Chicago favored
sending the case to the synod
Elder Henekley, of Philadelphia, dis
cussed the views held by DR.. Briggs and
denounced them.
Rev. Thomas G. Hall, of Chicago, made
an earnest appeal in behalf of DR.. Briggs.
Elder Cutcheon, of Detroit, was the
first speaker of the afternoon. He was
one OF Professor Briggs warm supporters
and insisted that the case should be con-
sidered on the single question OF appeal
The venerabIs-Dr. Dufield, OF Princeton
college, said that he had great personal
appreciation OF the scholarship and
Christian character OF DR.. Briggs. If his
logic and faculties were equal to his
scholarship l do not know his equal in
the intellectual world of America at least
When DR.. Duffield finished the most sem
sational scene of the day and OF the as
sembly ensued. In the course OF the ven
cradle DOCTORS remarks his statement OF
Professor Briggs teaching was questioned
by several commissioners, and the pro-
lessor himself gave utterance to an ex-
preston which could not be understood
by the reporters. But as DR.. Duhield
stepped down he came almost into direct
contact with Professor Briggs, who, with
} flashing eyes, had sprung to his feet de-
manding to be heard.
A storm of dissent and cries Of order
Immediately broke over the assembly and
a scene of great excitement and disorder
ensued. Finally DR.. Briggs took his
seat and the storm subsidized.
a passionate address against the plea
of DR.. Briggs was made by Rev. William
G. Young of Danville, KY, moderator or
the last assembly. After further argu-
ment the debate was declared closed.
Judge Purnell OF Baltimore then offered
his motion to remand the case to the
New York synod. This was defeated by
viva voce vote and again by rising
vote. The question then recurring on
l the resolution of the judicial COMMITTEES
: that the appeal be en- terIained, the ayes
/ and noes were demanded and the roll call
. began. The result of the vote as an
nounced was as follows: Yeas 4O9, nays
145.
The judicial committee was then In
structed to prepare programme for pro-
cedure in the trial of the appeal and the
assembly decided to proceed with the trial
tomorrow morning.
At the night session the first order OF
business was the report of the COMMITTEES
OF the board OF church erection. Among
the recommendations was one to the ef-
4 feet that not less than S150, 600 was neces-
sary for the work of the board this fiscal
2 year. After remarks the recommends
r tons of the COMMITTEES were adopted
The report OF the committee on the
board of publication and Sunday school
work was then read and adopted and the
f assembly then adjourned until tomorrow
r Baptist Missionary Union.
DENVER. May 26.-Ths seventy ninth