New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-05-21
THE STORY OF THE GILMAN LETTER.

THE STORY OF TIE GILMAN LETTER.
ITS AUTHOR SAYS 1T WAS PRIVATE AND SHOULD
NOT HAVE BEEN GIVEN OUT-DR. BRIGGS
SEES NOTHING SENSATIONAL IN 1T.
The unearthing on Sunday last OF what was
avcrrcd by the conservative faction OF the Pros
byterlan General Assembly nj Pttsburg 10 be
conspiracy defeat the election as Moderator or
the Rev. Dr. Robert Russell Booth. has aroused
lively interest here. The story. 1t may be- remem-
bcrcd originated with the discovery Of what was
supposed TO be A circular letter signed b. WIN
throp :. Gilman OF Ncw-York. After Dr. Booth
was ultimately chosen by large majority both
Dr. Page. who against him. and Dr. Whlte,
who dramatically nominated Or. Page. disclaimcd
any responsibility for the letter and threw the
onus OF It's conception upon Mr. Gilman.
TO a Tribune reporter who called upon MI Gil
nun yesterday. at his Office No &C. Ccdar-st.. he
snid: at f. quite true that | wrote the letter. ana
equally so that | sent copies 10 certain commits
sioners AT Ptsburg. But it Is not true that IL was
a circular letter sent broadcast to the members Of
a particular faction. not more than ten letters
were sent ana they to certain men who had
written To me from the West. making some in
quirles with REGARD TO those who might be noini-
mated for the Aioderatorshlp The letters wrote
were of private nature and should not have been
made public fail to see where there is anything
OF "a sensational element In my letter. and II - "A
mistake suppose. somebody is evidently try
Ing maze believe. that ! am eitncr "A Dig parry
bureau the shining lght of an inNcSilEdthS
BODY. However, tl.frc * no necessity 10 say an!
thing more upon this subject. because ] nave sent
a long letter TO The Tribune. which. If published,
VIII fully explain my position. may aIh lnal
have been perfectly SINGER" IN what said regard
ing Or. Bo)iN's qualifications for the MODERATOR
snip. His partiSanshp and arbitrary rules id no,
tend to maze his election 10 the Mod.Gatoiahlp OF
his own Ircsbytcrv n happy choice.
The .teV. ~. Charles \. Briggs. when seen at
his home 80 10 Yves. Ninety tnfd-st. sud; From
what | know OF the practical side OF Mr.. Gilman
charnctcr he f. quite capable OF writing ana Issuing
such a letter upon his own initiative cannot So"
that there IS anS thng OF an extraordinary nhtur"
In the contents OF the letter. II j. 10 more than
is remembered that for "A long time that party had
a regular bureau for the sending on; OF cDriinu-
nicaiions OF this description. Il can hardly hc ict
that there is sufficient cause for complaint Ia TINS
instance
The Rev Dr. George Alexander was also seen at
his house I'm University Place last night At flrSt
he show "a considerable reluctnc" In speaking upon
tn. matter. but when II WAS pointed out tntt MT.
G. Imam had made Use OF his nam" In the letter, he
said: "Wel all can say j. ihni Mr. Gilman hai no
authority from to my name Perhaps. hav-
ing said hn; viii only be- fair 70 say that. some
weeks ago. received Il note from MI Gilman ASK
Ing me /! | would allow myself to De nominated !Or
The post os Moderator. imnc iiif'ly replied mat
would not. ana added an expression OF opinion 10
the effect that "a not bailey" that any Eastern
man who Dad liberal TENDENCIES would stand a
rharcc of being elected. Now. that ~ the only com
run!cation | have had with Mr. Gilman. have
met him only once IA my ne that ! remember. END
certainly not aware mat ne Intended sen iiis
en-, letter D Assembly. cannot f1I
whether IT inspired ty any one else except MIR.
Gilman