Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-05-11
Propositions Submitted to the Epis-
oopal Diocesan Convention.
TRIALS OF CLERGYMEN PROVIDED FOR
Business Transacted by CIerica
and Lay Delegates
W O r K OF MIS- SION S


served with appropriate services in all Epis-
copal churches, there was no meeting of
the convention of the diocese of Washing
ton this morning. Bishop Satterlee preach
ed notable sermon at ST. Johns Church.
and there were impressive services before
large congregations at the other churches
in the city.
The Convention was to have met at 1
o'clock in the parish hall of Trinity Church.
but it was long after that hour when the
clergy and the lay delegates began to as
semitic and a quorum was in attendance
When the latter was secured the Rev Dr.
]. H. Elliott. at the " ritten request CT Bishop
Sattt rice, who was unable to be present
took the chair, and the secretary, Rev. A.
5. johns. read the minutes of yesterday
procced ings. which were approved.
MIR. Elliott reaG nouo- Announcing that
the s~rNIceS in Connection with the laying
of tie corner stone of the Phoebe A
Hearst School for Girls at the Episcopal
Cathedral would b. heid at 100 o CLOCK TO-
day IN trinity Cnurch Instead of at the
site, as Originally AntenucG.
Nominations Made.
The following nominations for standing
were circula ed four clerical and three lay
members to be voted for:
Cler,t al-Rev. j. w. Ches.ay. Rev. John
H. EIilott, S. I. D.; Rev. Alfred Harding,
Rev. J. a. Asc;ruGm Rev. r F. Nil!:a:s
Rev; R: H Mekim, D. D.; Rev. j. B. Per-
ry, Rev. c. E. Buck, Rev. Alex. Mackay-
Smith, d. D.; Rev. Thomas J. Packard,
Rev. James B. Craighin.
Lay-Mr. Charles H. Stanley, Mr.. Arthur
S. Browne Mr. J. Holdsworth Gordon, Mr..
Melville Church, Mr. H. E Pellew, Mr. w
D. Baldwin.
Rev. Dr. Mckim presented several re-
ports from the committee on canOns. He
first provided that the constitution be
amended to make the diocesan con-
vention meet the week after Ascension day,
instead of the week before. This was
adopted, and will be submitted to the sew
eral parishes for action.
A Fund for Building.
The second provided for the enactment
of new canon providing for the creation
of board to be called the trustees of the
diocesan church fund" who shall receive
control, invest and administer all dona-
TONS contributions of money or property
may be placed in their hands for the pllr-
chase OF suitable sites and the building and
extension Of churches, chapels, rectores
etc, in the limits of the diocese The board
Is to consist of the bishop and six lay mem
bers Of the church, to be elected by the
convention by ballot.
1t was provided that every investment
shall be made in the name of the Pro
testant Episcopal Church of the Diocese of
Washington and the trustees be author
lied to purchase suitable sites and to make
loans to be secured by first mortgages or
first deeds of trust without interest to de-
serving parishes under such rules and regu-
iations as the board may prescribe.
An amendment to strike out the provision
TO purchase sites was lost and the report
adopted, subject to the usual ratification
by the parishes.
Changes in the CanOns.
Proposed changes in the canons providing
for the proceedings in the case of a minister
accused OF an offense for which he may
be tried and punished, and of the present.
ment and trial of clergymen and of the
ecclesiastical court We're presented by DR..
Mckim, who asked that they be made the
special order for tonight.
New CanOns.
The changes recommended provide for the
Canceling of canons r. 49, H. Is. 1s II. 10
- and IL and insert two to be numbered
l. and 49,
The first Of the proposed canons provides
that whenever, from public rumor or other
wise, the bishop, if there be no bshop,
the standing committee of the diocese shah
determine that there is probable cause to
believe that a priest or deacon of this do
cese has been guilty OF Offense for which
he Is liable to be tried and punished ac-
cording to canon of title 2 of the Digest
and that the interests of the church require
an investigation, committee shall be ap-
pointed consisting of three clergymen and
two laymen mot members of the STANDING.
commlttee), majority of whom shall make
such inquiries they may deem necessary.
If satisfied of his innocence they shall
make report accordingly; if Of the SUI
hciency of ground for presentment and
trial, they shall present the accused for
trial.
Any priest or deacon of this diocese may.
for himself, request of the bishop the in
quiry provided for in this canon. in which
case II shall be instituted and shall pro-
coed in accordance with section i of this
canon"
Proposed canon il provides the proceed
ings TO be followed when liability for trial
occurs.
Taking OF Testimony
Among other things in the canon, which
is volumnous, is the following:
Upon the application of either party to
the court and 1t being made to appear sat
isfactorily to them that any material wit
ness cannot be procured upon the trial the
court may appoint commissary to take
the testimony of such witness. Such COM
mlsSary may be either d clergyman or lay
man. and the party applying shall give
TO the other at least six days notice of the
time and place of taking the testimony
Both parties may attend and examine the
witness. The witness shall be sworn by
some civil officer competent to administer an
oath.
THE questions and answers shall be re-
duced to writing, and shall be certified by
the commissary. and transmitted to the
court and, if competent shall be received
by them evidence. All notices and pa
pers contemplated under this canon may be
served by one or more summonerS to be
appointed by the court. and their certificate
of such service shall be evidence thereof.
In case of service by any other person, the
fact sha be proved by the affidavit of such
person. written notice or paper deliv-
cred to Il party, or left at his last place of
residence, shall be deemed u sufficient serv
ice OF such notice or paper. Counsel shall
be allowed on both sides. not exceeding two
to either, at the pleasure of the parties
Rules of Trials.
The trial should be conducted according
TO the principles and rules of evidence in
the jurisdiction Of the pace where the trial
Is held; no accused clergyman shall be con-
victed of any offense except upon the tes-
timony of at least two credible witnesses.
The court may, If in its discretion and in
its judgment justice will be thereby pro-
NOTED, modify, enlarge or extend the ex-
ceptions now recognized and allowed by the
la WS of said Jurisdiction n tho r,IeS wb oh