The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1895-09-27
THE MINISTERS, FINDING


In tho Rufus Il. Cooper Case-They Find
the Accused Innocent of the Charges and
No Ground for an Ecclesiastical Investi-
CATION.
To the Editor of the JOURNAL AND COURIER
New Haven, Conn, Sept, Goth, 1895,
In view of the wide publicity given to
the recent accusations made against
the Rev, Rufus It, Cooper, and of the
public interest excited by his trial in
the city court, deem it appropriate
that the action OF the committee which
was appointed to examine into the case
should be published
| on the first day of July, commit
tee of inquiry was appointed with func-
lions somewhat similar to those of a
grand jury, not to try the case, but
by informal investigation to ascertain
whether there was sufficient probable
evidence of the guilt of the accused
to justify the bringing of formal charg-
es against him, and the assembling
of an ecclesiastical court for his trial.
The committee has done its work
with thoroughness, not only by attend
ing the trial throughout the several
days of its continuance, but by with
| holding its report and pursuing its in
vestigatlons for more than two months
thereafter, in order that other evidence,
if any existed, might be secured.
| AS in all instances of public accusa-
| tion, especially against ministers, there
exist wide differences of opinion, 1t is
not to be expected that any committees
report would receive the endorsement of
every person in the community who had
interested himself in the case.
am therefore careful to explain that
this committees report is only advisory
to the presiding elder, and that he is
fully empowered, upon the appearance
of any other sufficient evidence, to in
stitute formal ecclesia stical investiga-
ton Let it be clearly understood that
although my present convictions are in
perfect accord with the report of the
committee of inquiry, if any person has
grave charges to bring, or evidence
upon which they can be based, the pre-
sentation of these to the presiding elder
will be promptly followed by the con.
vening of an ecclesiastical court for the
trial Of the case.
Following is the committees report:
The committee of inquiry appointed
to ascertain on behalf of the Methodist
Episcopal church whether there should
be formal ecclesiastical investigation
of certain accusations made against
the Rev. Rufus 7, Cooper, present the
following to the Rev. Crandall ]
North, presiding elder Of the New Ha
ven district of the New York East Con
ference, as their finding in the case:
First-The Rev. Rufus IT, Cooper, ir
accordance with his own demand was
tried in the city court of New Haver
upon the charges made against him
and was acquitted.
Second-The committee Of inquiry
having, with one or two exceptions, at
tended throughout the trial in the city
court, carefully observing all the pro
ceedings and hearing all the testimony
are unanimously agreed that the cour
could not in justice have rendered any
other verdict than that of acquittal
and, Furthermore, that the accused wa!
innocent of the charges.
Thira-The prosecution having evi
IDENTIFY exhausted all it's resources il
the trial and no other evidence hay
ing come to our knowledge, We TIL
committee of inquiry, do not find grount
for a formal ecclesiastical investiga
ton
Signed at New Haven, Conn.,, Septem
Der 25th. 1895.
Nathan G. Cheney, East Pearl stree
church, New Haven.
: Gardner S, Eldridge, First church
Waterbury
Calvin Is. Ford, Howard avenu
church. New Haven
Benjamin f. Kidder, Shelton church
Charles P. Masden, First church, New
Haven.
Morris w. Prince, Trinity church
New Haven.
William A. Richard, South Parl
church, Hartford.
Frank A. Scofield, Grace church, New
Haven.
Henry E. Wing, Ansonia church.
Please insert this communication il
. your valued paper, and oblige,
Yours very truly,
CRANDALL j. NORTH,
: Presiding Elder, New Haven District