The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-05-26
A JUDICIAL COMMITTEE.
COMPLAINTS AGAINST BRIGGS RE-
FERRED TO 4 COMMISSION.
A Resolution 60 Learn Whether the ON
ciaIs WIN Close the Pair on Sunday
DIR. Briggs Speech Of Defense.

WASHINGTON. y. c., May @.--At $3.50
o'clock the moderator opened the Pres
byterlan General Assembly with prayer.
After the disposition Of some routine
business. Dr. Baker, chairman Of the
judicial committee. presented report
recommending that the six complaints
Of J. j. McCook and others against the
New York Synod growing out Of the
trial Of Professor Briggs be referred to
"A judicial commission for trial
1t gave rise 10 an informal discussion.
during which the question was asked
whether or not the New York Synod
had met since the charges were fled
Moderator Craig: We have "a certificate
from the stated clerk that charges are
I'm order, and We cannot 80 behind the
returns. Gaughter)
The recommendation Of the committee
was adopted.
resolution was adopted appointing
committee TO visit the proper officials
and learn whether or not it Is their
intention 10 observe the requirement
that the Worlds Fair be closed on Sum
day.
Moderator Craig resolved the assembly
into a judicial committee and Or. Briggs
resumed his speech I'm defense Of the
action Of the New York presbytery in the
case Of prosecution against MIN, and in
opposition 10 the entertaining OF am APP
peal from the judgment Of the Presbytery
/ thereon.
I'm the course Of his remarks, Dr. Briggs
said:
"'The assembly has been informed that
| this cas-, has been taken under considera-
tion by the New York Synod. II, there
fore. the assembly should decide 10 come
10 a final decision I'M the matter and over
turn the decision OF the New York Pres
bytery It would not yet be a final decis-
ion for the defendant; the Presbytery and
the Synod could not accept 1t as either
constitutional or valid
Here something like n shudder passed
/ over the assembly. as the utterance meant
| endless further appeals in case the assem-
| bly, should not take the speakers view
| Of the legal questions involved.
! Professor Briggs spoke altogether four
| and a half hours at three different sit
! tings of the court
Colonel j. j. McCook. y the committee
| on prosecution, closed the argument on
! behalf of the prosecution He divided his
| argument into two parts, speaking an
! hour and twenty minutes I'm the after
noon and concluding at the evening ses-
| sion
Colonel McCook spoke an hour in the
! evening session. closing a few minutes
! after o'clock.
| Rev. George d. Baker, chairman Of the
! judicial committee, then offered a reso-
| luton that two hours be given the MEM
| bers Of the assembly for discussion, at
the end OF which time the vote shall be
taken. A quarter Of an hour Of lively
cross-hring ensued as 10 the form in
which the question should be put and
the length OF time TO be- given for argu-
ment, the upshot Of which was that the
time Of argument was extended 10 four
hours and the right 10 offer 10
amend the form Of question, so as 10
provide for sending the appeal 10 the
synod, reserved to the commissioners
The assembly then adjourned until to-
morrow morning at $3.50 o'clock. az which
time the Briggs case will again have the
right Of way until concluded.