Omaha daily bee., 1897-10-28
MINISTER'S USE PLAIN TALK
Hearing Of Rev. DR., Browns Case Leve'ops
Much Acrimony.
BAY CONFERENCE STANDS BY IT'S ACTS
Accused Divinc Continues To Interrupt
Speakers while 1hcy Arc Pre-
scnting Their Cnsc-Add
Another Chnrgc.

CHICAGO. Oct. 27.-Thcre was fairly
large audience OF Congregational ministers
and laymen present at the second days ses-
sion OF the inquiry into the charges against
Rev. c. o. Brown, made by the Bay district
conference san Francisco. DR. Brown, ac-
companied by his wife and son. came early
to the church and shook hands with every
body even his adversaries of the Bay con-
ference. The moderator, DR.. Little Of Bos-
ton. declared that the first thing in order
would be the Bay conferences presentation OF
its case While the Californians were con-
sulting Dr. Brown arose and remarked
that he would reserve the right to object
to certain paragraphs in the Fay conference S
findings He denounced these paragraphs as
peridous and untruthful; the Bay people
came back with similar adjectives, and for
a few minutes the reverend gentlemen with
the softest tones and the gIavest of behavior
showered charges Of "perfdy," malice,
etc ad ibitum upcu one another. Then
DR.. C. II. Brown of Oakland, who Is the
speaker of the Bay conference, took the
stand against his namesake. He stated
frankly that he had every reason to believe
the Bay conference had done rightly by the
accused minister and that the latter's sus-
pension was not, as he had asserg i cause
less and without investigation. Dr. Brown
concluded by declaring that the action Of
the Bay conference was mperatively neces-
sary.
DR.. Hatch, another OF the Caiforians,
pleasantly remarked that he and his friends
had been called dogs, hypocrites, liars,
drunkards and serpents in the grass.
alphabetically, DR.. Hatch" interrupted
! DR.. Brown.
| well. then. we have been alphabetically
| called all these things-also idiots and mon
keys" resumed DR.. Hatch. lie then said
he went to the Bay conference as an ally
of the accused minister and was actually
! forced to believe the charges made against
| him. -
NO PERSONAL HOSTILITY.
The venerable Dr. Mclean was the next
speaker. DlsClaiming any personal hOsuiltS
to DR.. Brown, he said the scandals anectine
that minister had seemed overwhelminslS
strong in their character. The speaker then
declared that DR.. Browns suspension was
justified by the following reasons: That
| Dr. Brown had paid $500 to escape public
notoriety in the case, that he had failed tC
explain discriminating letters and that he nae
paid a witness to leave San Francisco at the
! time of the original investigation
"No, no. exclaimed DR.. Brown.
Yes" answered the speaker.
| A lively wrangle followed, the Bay ccu.
ference people angrily protesting that DR.
Brown had no right to interrupt the oratory
The moderator was uncertain what to say
and Dr. Mclean, DR.. Browns chief opponent
said he wanted Cvility to prevail.
Dr. Mclean then added a fourth charge
to the three alleged against Dr. Brown-tha
Of using threats against young woman o
his congregation. Reports of the California
credentials were given, the findings of the
trial council and in turn the passing OF the
findings on to the Bay conference were ther
read The conference, continued the speaker
had acted without a trial simply because
the original council and the credential com
mittee had fully investigated and recorded
the charges.
Dr. Brown. he said, had been given ever!
opportunity to defend himself. The vote il
the Bay conference was 40 to 80 against DR.
Brown and the conference simply confirmed
the judgment already given by the Sal
Francisco council. DR.. Browns delay il
summoning the Bay conference to a mutua
council was also commented upon. Incl
dentally the speaker said that Dr. Brown
guilt or innocence in the Overman scanda
was not proved but that the charges arisin
out Of DR.. Browns actions toward wituesse
in that case were so disCreditable that full
investigation was necessary The council, h
went on, had met with a hope of clearin
DR.. Brown, but as the investigation continue
had been compelled to admit his guilt. b
his own friends claimed the speaker, Dl
Brown had been condemned.
DR.. Mclean continued his address afte