The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-05-26
Another Strong Protest BY the Accused Pro-
fessor Against the Course Of His Enemies
nAppealingto the General Assembly
Having Been Once Acquitted He Claims
that He Cannot Be Tried Again.
Yet he Is Willing to Let the Case Go to the
Synod-Reply of Prosecutor McCook-The
Matter to Be Debated To-Day.
THE BRIGGS CASE.

Arguments Of the Accused and Prosecutor
McCook Ciosed-Finai Debate To-Day.
WASHINGTON. May 2a-The Briggs case
had one good effect to-day. The devotional
services with which the sessions of the
General Assembly are opened was largely
attended. People flocked in and listened
to prayers and song for half an hour rather
than wait ana not get in at all. The Rev.
Dr.. Moore, the permanent clerk. conducted
the service. Bishop Hurst. of the Metho-
dist Episcopal Church. occupied seat on
the platform. DR.. Briggs came IN just at
the close Of the service and took his seat
at his table inside che chancel. On the
table he placed little valise in which he
carries his papers Prof. Francis Brown
deposited on the table beside the valise .
siphon bottle of soda water. from which.
at times, Dr.. Briggs refreshed himself. Mr..
Cutcheon and DR.. Frazier also took seats
st the table. On the opposite side the
prosecution committee sat The public in
terest OF the previous two days was. II
anything. increased. but. owing TO the adj
mirable arrangements for seating the audi
ence and maintaining order. there Was bus
little confusion and no discomfort. Among
the spectators was the venerable Rev. VIM.
Field. ID. d., of New York. Professor
Briggs spoke altogether four and one-hslf
hours, at three different sittings of the
court. Col. J. j. MoCook, of the committee
on prosecution. closed the case on behalf
Of the prosecu tion. He divided his srgu-
ment into two parts. speaking one hour
and twenty minutes In the afternoon and
concluding at the evening session.
DISPOSITION OF ovERrUREs.
After the disposition Of some routine
business this morning the moderator pre-
sented report from the judicial commit
tee, 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 o judicial
commission for trial. The recommends
tion Of the committee was adopted. DIR. Be-
mirtee upon the overtures relating to ap-
peals direct from the synod to the General
Assembly. The committee said that in
asmuch as the overtures had TO 90
with the case now pending. it seemed only
fair thst the report on them should be
made before the case should be determined.
At the same time the committee recognized
the fact that there was no opportunity at
this time for discussion. 1t was recon-
mouuc0 tudt tuo report Do DlhceC on the
docket. unless the assembly wac ready TO
vote promptly upon it. Overtures from
TWEEN ty mine mblies asked SPECIFIC &C.
tion upon the case now pending: those fro.a
fourteen others asked o change in the Book
of Discipline TO prevent any future appeal
being taken direct from the presby terry to
the General Assembly. The committee
recommended the adoption of the following
resolution:
Resolved, That presbytery has the undoubt-
ed right of petition to the General Assembly as
TO all matters relating 10 the polity OF the
church; but an overture from presbytery. ad-
vising the assembly what course should be taken
by said assembly in pending judicial case. Is an
irregular End unprecedented ecclesiastical pro-
cedure- Every presbytery has the right and tho
opportunity to nave Its opinion on a pending
judicial case expressed through Its commission
ers on the floor of the assembly. but IL has not
the night by overture TO try to influence the de-
cision of the assembly on any pending judicial
We therefore. recommend that ali such over
tures In far they relate TO the action o. the
assembly in any case now pending before 4, he
laid upon the table. Ne further recommend
that that part OF said overtures relating TO
that no case may in the future be taken by ap.
peal directly from the presbytery 10 the General
Assembly be referred 10 the committee on church
polity.
The assembly apparently was ready TO
act npon the report. for a motion to accept
il and adopt the recommendations was
promptly made and adopted with no dis
sent.