The record-union., 1897-10-27
CASE OF REV. C. 0. BROWN.
INQUIRY INTO HIS CONDUCT
BEGUN AT CHICAGO.
Rev. DR.. Little of Rochester, Mass,
Selected as Moderator of
the Council.

CHICAGO, Oct. 26-The tenth official
inquiry into the conduct and character
of the Rev. G. o. Brown of San Fran
cisco, but now paster of the Green
street Congregational Church of this
CITY, began to-day in the Y. M. G. A.
lecture room. Numerous delegates
from California and prominent dignita-
ries of the Congrega tional Church had
stated their intention of attending the
trial and local Congregational minis
ters seemed greatly interested.
The proceedings, according to DR..
Brown, were intended more as an ar
raignment of the Bay Conference, which
suspended him from his California post
without trial, than as a probing into
the minister's behavior.
DR.. Bradley and DR.. Hollister, both of
Grand Rapids, Mich, were the first
ministers to enter the hall. Among
the delegates who later reached the
scene, besides a number of laymen,
We're the following: DR.. Martin, De-
troit; DR.. Wallace, Chicago; DR.. Wat
erman, Chicago; DR.. Burnham, ST. Lou
is; DIR. Blanchard, Aurora.
Dr. Brown, with his counselor, j.
Adams. came in with brisk step and
smiling face. Z think this council, y
said he, will set me right. The con,
ference seems, as far as L can ascertain,
determined on justice, while every cir
cumstance since my trouble in San
Francisco has been in my favor"
The Rev. Philip Krohn, D. D., who
was to have participated in the trial,
was not present, as last night he was
stricken with paralysis and is now at
his home in a critical condition.
The session was rather stormy. After
DR.. Boynton of Detroit had been ap-
pointed temporary Chairman, the mem
bers debated the advisability of having
an open investigation and involved
themselves into an almost hopeless
muddIe with motions, amendments and
suggestions.
DR.. Brown urged through his counsel
an open session It was finally decided
to hold open meetings and a committee
composed of the three delegates from
the Bay District Conference, Rev. DR..
Brown and his counsel, J. Adams, was
appointed to decide upon the method of
procedure.
During the debate over the question
as to whether the sessions should be
open or secret, Rev. DR.. Mclean, Chair
man of the Bay delegation arose and
registered a strong objection against
admission by ticket, saying the COM
mittee had experience, and would not
be willing to shoulder the weight again.
The three delegates from San Fran
cisco sat at the right of the Chairman,
and took no part in the discussion, aside
from Moderator McLean's objection 10
tickets.
Layman Nickerson, vino first made
the motion for star chamber session,
then stated that he, too. was in favor
of an open session, and wanted the
matter over with as soon as possible.
Then it was discovered that DR. Boyn-
ton had not been regularly appointed
temporary Chairman, and a vote was
taken to clothe him with full powers.
After the withdrawal of a number of
amendments. it was voted to admrt
clergymen, laymen and reporters.
1t was decided to open the morning
sessions at $50, the afternoon sessions
at . o'clock and evening at 7:30 o'clock.
Several members of the council said
they expected to see the trial end to-
morrow evening.
The evening session Oh the cOuHcii
was taken UP by the address of Rev.
]. c. Adams. who is counsel for Mr..
Brown.
Tomorrow morning Rev. T. K. Nc
Lean representing the Bay Conference,
will speak for that body.
Rev DR.. Little of Rochester, Mass,
has neen elected moderator and the
Rev. Or. Bradley of Grand Rapids,
Mich, scribe of the council.