The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1893-05-27

WASHINGTON, D. O., May 2O,-By a vote
400 to l45, the Presbyterian general
assembly this afternoon decided to
entertain the appeal in the case OF DR..
Briggs, and the assembly will proceed
with his trial tomorrow morning, The
roll call on the resolution OF the judicial
committee that the appeal be enter
tanned began at 4;l5 p. m. 1t was
taken amidst an almost painful silence,
during which the defendant watched
with ieverish anxiety the progress Of
the vote by the tally kept by his friend,
Prof. Brown, who sat ut his elbow. All
over the house and in the galleries the
vote was followed on the call OF Nom.
bors by interested ones, who could not
wait for the official announcement Of
the result,
While the roll was being called Mod
orator Craig yielded the chair to OK
Moderator William O. Roberts, D. d.,
and himself voted aye.
When the clerk bad finished the call
OF the synod OF New York and DR..
Briggs found that bis position, in favor
Of sending the appeal to that synod,
had been approved by majority OF its
commissioners outside OF his own local
presbytery, the commissioners from
which did not vote, he seemed relieved
and rose from his half leaning position
over Prof. Brown to the upright pose
he had maintained throughout tho try
ing ordeal. Through the long hours OF
the morning DR.. Briggs sat almost mo-
tionless, following the words OF the
speakers with the utmost attention.
There were many evidences Of feeling
and some OF the speakers took advan-
tage of the opportunity presented by
their position to arraign the defendant,
to shake their fingers sternly at him
and otherwise to express their con-
demnation. AS one brother expressed
it, "they forgot for the time being they
were members OF the court OF Jesus
Christ"
1t was an interesting spectacle. 1t
was scene and gathering never to
be forgotten.
THE PROCEEDINGS IN DETAIL.
Alto a. m. the legislative assembly
convened. Rev. Mr.. Allen, OF Chatta-
nooga presided. Upon formal motion
to approve the minutes OF yesterday
after the opening Of the assembly for
business, the furry Of last night over
the form OF question to be voted upon
at the close OF the four hours debate
by the judiCiatory was renewed Tho
moderator. at length, reviewed
the proceedings Of last night upon
this matter, and stated that at
the close OF the debate he would enter.
tain the motion to amend the form Of
motion to be voted on without further
debate. This was satisfactory to all
parties. DR.. Kneeland r. Ketchum, OF
Now Jersey, was recognized by tho
moderator on tho question, "shall the
appeal be entertained He favored
sending the case Of Prof. Briggs back to
synod, and said he would offer resolu.
ton to the effect He had not ono part-
clio OF sympathy with his friend, DR..
Briggs. He wanted 1t understood that
he believed in the old fashioned doc
trinc, tho strict Interpretation OF the
Bible, without rising above the myster-
les in it. But he believed Dr. Briggs
had certain rights which should be
respected. Here DR.. Ketchum's time
expired.
The moderator announced that he
would next recognize Elder. Hinckley,
Of Philadelphia, who had requested to
be heard, but Elder McDougall, Of Gin
Clnnali, stated that, by arrangement
with the chairman Of the judiciary com
mittCe, he was charged with the duty Of
opening in support OF tho motion to on.
tGrtain the appeal This was accepted
by the moderator and Mr.. McDougall
took the platform.
Thoreupon a storm OF protests arose
against this by Mr.. HGrriCk Johnson
and Elders Shepherd and Griffin. Tho
moderator explained the rule.
Aftor explanations and discussion,
Elder Hinckley, Of Philadelphia, was
given tho floor Ilo said that the
prosbytory Of New York had evndod
the main Issue. Tho trial should havo
boen fair aud square on the question OF
the soundness Of Dr., Briggs viowa, and
not ono side issue raised by himself.
Mr.. HinCkloy proceeded to discuss tho
views held by Dr. Briggs and to do.
nounce thom.
Roy. Thomas q. Hall, Of Chicago,
made an earnest appeal in behalf Of
his friend DR.. Briggs, Ho said that tho
continued prosecution Of the defendant
by tho prosecution would brood rebel.
lion In the hearts oil those who eympa.
thiScd with tho defendant, There was
peaceful way out Of the difficulty, and
that was to send tho case to the synod.
DR.. Briggs had q constitutional right to
bo tried by tho synod.
A SENSATION,
Something Of sensation was created
by the next speaker, Elder MoDousall,
Of Cincinnati, who made an attack oil
DR.. briggs. Ho reforred to certain re.
marks which tho doctor had made In
his speech In his own defense, and said
that ho had offered II tho case wus sent
back TO the synod to waive conatltu'
tional right.
NO aaid DR.. Briggs, intorfupting.
"Ah, ] thought 40, said Mt MCDou-
gall. "You will got tho case bnOl, to tho
synod aud thon YOU will insist upon oil
tho constitutional rights that you can
think Of"
Tho elder continued In q bitiof straln