The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-08-03
Z. G.. NILES co.
A. l.. PIPER, Rec,
Stoves, Ranges, Tlnware,
6rantteware, 6arden nese,
Pu0pS, 2autels, Etc, Etc.
VICTORIOUS At SPOKANE.
W. r. FORD SECURES A NEW con.
FERENCE TRIAL.
Judicial BODY There Nearly Reverses
Finding of the Lower Eccieaias-
teal Court and Almost Unani-

". T. Ford's fight for reinstatement IN
the Methodist church IL TO be taken up
once more in the Puget Sound conference.
The judic.a! conference which me, at Spo-
Kane last week gave him another chance
TO clear his skirts OF the accusation
against him. 1t remanded the case TO the
conference with an order for new trial.
after all but reversing the lower body.
The whole proceeding was after the
manner Of an appeal 10 an appellate court
from the findings OF a lower tribunal.
The case was argued on a brief Of the
evidence received at the first trial when
Ford was expelled from the ministry and
tne church The arguments embodied a
letter from Judge Orange Jacobs. which
together with letters from John e Hum
phries and Mayor r j. Hunes. has al
ready been fully published in the Post
lnteiiigencer.
After two days spent In hearing me case
the conference, consisting Of sixteen men.
voted almost unanimously 10 remand the
case to the Puget Sound conference for
another trial.
This l., in fact, a telling victory for
Ford He will al once take the matter
up with the Puget Sound conference.
Last night ne said that he believed the
next hearing of the case would result far
differently from that when the charge
was nrst brought against him.
Mr.. Ford returned yesterday from Spo-
Kane, armed with the report and findings
Of the judicial conference. This body " rs
composed Of members Of the Oregon. CO.
lumba River and Montana conferences
II was delegated 10 hear The arguments
and review the evidence n the orig nal
church trial in which Ford was convicted
and banished from the church
Bishop w F. Malialiau presided. Tho
members OF the trial court were: Revs
Perry Chandler. [. F. Hawk. Nathan
Evans and q. NJ. Booth Of the Columbia
River conference; u. McLachl.n. II r
SummeryiIle. c. E. Cline. Edward Gitt.ns
/. j. Walter and c. r. Crandiu. OF the
Oregon conference. and George T. King
X. NJ Craven. George Logan. ID A. Rig
gin. J. ". TAFT and II. y. James. of the
Montana conference.
j. W. Miller appeared as counsel for
Ford. The ex-preacher argued the case
in his own behalf being given carte
blanche as 10 time. Rev. II. j.. Brown.
pastor of the Battery Street church. Seat
tie. appeared as counsel for the church,
respondent.
After TWO days spent IN reviewing the
evidence and listening 10 the arguments.
the case was ended. The presiding bishop
asked the question: Shall the action Of
the Puget Sound conference be reversed 80
ON this there were seven for reversal
and nine opposed.
The bishop then asked: shall the case
be remanded?' This was carried in the
affirmative. i TO /.
Church history in the West does not af-
ford more striking ease tnan that
against the ex-pastor of the Madison
Street Methods; church. Convicted first
in his OWN conference and later III the
superior court OF seduction. after a bitter
tria! with sensational features. Ford has
been battling away 10 save his character
aad TO regain his footing in the church.
He secured 4 new trial in the civil court
and then the prosecution moved dis
mlssal OF the case. This gave Ford's case
"A wonderful impetus ana he has vigorous
IS followed up hla advantage.
The expenses Of the trial of the appeal
were $500 which were borne by the church