Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-05-22
1T WILL NOT DOWN.
The Briggs Case Cropping Out at
Unexpected Moments.
THE FEELIN STRONG
On Both Sides - What q Supporter OF the
Doctor Says About Partisan Utterances-
The Report of the judiciary Committee
Awaited With Interest.

AAAc INC kuOst VI DAuQuO, cuardcter IN one
of Shakespeare's plays. the case Of Prof.
Briggs will not down. Not only does it refuse
to stay under cover until the proper time for
its appearance arrives but it seems to have
propensity to crop up in all sorts of unexpected
places.
All day long today the commissioners to the
general assembly had all they cared for to talk
about, and before the morning session
and during the recess at noon there
was plenty of matter for the discussion
that went on in the lecture room of
the New York Avenue Church, that takes the
place Of a sort Of lobby for the representatives.
To begin with, the little breeze that was started
in DR.. Sunderland's church yesterday morn
ing came in for its full share of discus
sion, and sentiment in the matter was divided
along strict party lines. AS a result of the
fact that the present assembly is admitted to
be an anti-Briggs body in a proportion vary
ing from three to one up to as high as five to
one the majority Of mon took the position that
while DIR. Sunderland may have been rather
injudicious in what he said. yet they were all Of
the opinion that his position in the matter was
the correct one.
FEELING OF THE BRIGGS MEN.
With the Briggs men the feeling was q de-
cidedly strong one. During the noon recess
one OF the ablest and most prominent repre-
sentatives of that side of the question said to
STAR reporter that, in his opinion the first
duty OF a paper like The STAR, which is
known to be fair and impartial, to attack
such partisan attitude taken yesterday.
There will be plenty of opportunity later in
the week or IN the early part Of next week for
everybody to discuss This case of DR..
Briggs to their hearts content" he
added. "but why under the sun can't
we wait until the hearing begins before at
tempting TO try the case on its merits? In my
humble opinion all these attempts to preju-
dice the case before it comes up should be
deprecated. The moderator himself in his
rulings this morning on the matter of the
!3Ssbyteries, showed partisan feeling that was
entirely out of place. 1t seems to be evident
that this assembly is decidedly anti-Briggs,
but just the same there is a large and a
powerful minority. and they have q per-
feet right to be heard as we'll as the ma
jority. We have studiousIy avoided rushing
into print in behalf Of DIR. Briggs and do not
care to discuss the merits Of the case at the
present time. At the same time 1 can say
that we shall make fight to have the whole
matter refe rred back to the synod of the state
OF New York. where it should have gone any
way before 1t came up to the assembly. We
may not be successful in our efforts, but we
shall do the best can. There are some strong
aud able speakers on side, and they
will insist on being heard. though, Of course,
there will be no need for any insistance. as the
assembly has shown a willingness to hear the
case fully and freely"
WHEN THE REPORT WILL BE READ.
'Have you had any intima.ion Of the time
when the judicial committee will make its
report to the general assembly,
NO. none whatever. 1t would appear. how
ever that from the amount and character Of
the overtures that were referred to them this
morning they can hardly get through with
them and be in position to appear be-
fore the assembly before tomorrow morning.
"Itmay be that they will report this afternoon.
but this seems hardly likely. Both sides will
undoubtedly be given the chance for
a full debate. At the assembly in Port
land the two sides came to some sort Of
at all imply an abridgment OF the time. II the
committee reports torIu-row morning AN early
date may be set for the hearing
The members Of the juG ,ial committee
were excused from attendance at the sessions Of
the ssemblv this morning and spent several
hours at an important meeting at their rooms
in the Hotel Fredonia While they were gone
there was good deal of comment and
discussion on the probable results of their
deliberations. Nothing known definitely
on the subject, but from careful poll of the
committee the opinion was general that the
committee would stand about II to in favor
OF reporting the appeal. 1t vas
thought that there might also be a minority
report and that the two would be considered by
the assembly. 1t was also thought that the re-
port might go into the matter at some little
length and give the reasons for its position.
FOUR PENALTIES MAY BE IMPOSED.
In case the decision in the Briggs trial is
against the defendant there are four penalties
that the assembly has in its power to impose
in effect to warn him against doing
that sort Of thing again; it may rebuke
censure him; it may suspend him BY deposing
him from his Office and forbidding him to exer-
else any of the Offices of the church, and it has
the lower Of communicating him altogether.
With reference to the propriety OF the assem-
bivs entertaining the appeal leading anti
Briggs man raid today that the whole matter
was decided in the rules of the church. and
that it was not optional, but mandatory upon
the body. They find the authority for
this position in chapter II of tine form OF
government of the Presbyterian Church which
saws in article A. The general assembly
shall receive and issue all appeals. complaints
and references that affect the doctrine con-
stitutjon of the church which may be regularly
be brought before them from the inferior judi
catories.
THE BOOK OF DISCIPLINE.
Section SO of the book of discipline says
notice of an appeal has been given and the
specifications of the errors alleged have
! been filed in due time the appeal
shall be considered in order. The judgment.
the notice of appeal. the appeal and the spec-
fications of the errors alleged shall be read.
and the judicatory may then determine. after
herring the parties. whether the appeal shall
be entertained. II it be entertained the follow
ing order shall be observed:
l. The record in the case from the beginning
| shall be read except what may be omitted by
consent.
2. The parties shall be heard, the appellant
opening and closing.
8. Opportunity shall be given to the men,
bers of the judicatory appealed from to be
heard.
4. The ote shall be separately taken. with
out debate, on each specification OF error al
legged. the question being taken in the form:
'Sha!l the specification of error be sustained?''
THE PROSECUTING COMM TEE.
DIR. G. W. F. Birch had a long consultation
this morning at the Arlington with Col Nc
Cook and DIR. Lampe, two Of his associates
on the prosecuting committee While DR..
! Birch il the chairman of the committee, vet
! Col McCook has taken a very active part in
| the prosecution from the beginning and will re-
| main with il until the end. This is the prose-
cutting committee that appointed by the
New York Dresbytery and by the rules in the