Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-05-12
CANYONS CONSIDERED
The Episcopal Diocesan Convention
Continues Its Labors.
COURT OF PRESBYfERS AND LAYMEN
Completion Of the Standing Com
mlttee for Next Year.
PROCEEDINGS OF INTEREST

Notwithstanding the lively character as
sumed last night in the debate over the
proposed changes in the canons, and the
fact that there was to be q continuance of
the discussion this morning there was not
a very large attendance in Trinity Church
Parish Hall when Bishop Satterlee called
the convention of the diocese OF Washing
ton to order. There was fringe OF ladies
around the walls OF the hall, and they took
deep interest in the proceedings. Later
the attendance grew larger.
Bishop Satterlee announced that the first
business in order would be the election of
the remaining lay member of the standing
committee, after which the canons would
be considered until disposed Of Rev. Mr..
De Vries of St. Marks parish arose as the
tellers were about to take their places and
declared that the secretary, Rev. A. S.
Johns, had illegally left the name of Mr. ].
c. Bancroft Davis of st. Johns parish off
the ticket containing the names of NOM
inees. Rev. DR.. Mckim quickly explained
that the name of Mr.. Davis had been prop
erly omitted as he had failed to qualify
a delegate to the convention. This was ac-
centuated by Mr.. Johns reading a letter,
which directed him to omit Mr.. Davis name
from the list. This question having been
settled, the vote was taken by telers, and
while the latter were absent summing up
the result the minutes of yesterdays ses-
sions were read.
Mr.. j. III. Gordon Elected.
The tellers returned after several min
utes and reported that Mr.. ]. Holdsworth
Gordon had received 30 votes and Mr.. w.
D. Baldwin %, a number of scattering votes
being also cast.
DIR. Mckim moved that the secretary be
instructed to cast the vote of the conven-
ton for the gentleman receiving the high
est vote, and, the rules having been sus-
pended on motion of DR.. Elliott, Secretary
johns cast the convention vote for Mr.. Cor
don, who thus became the remaining mem
Der of the standing committee, which Is
now constituted follows:
Clerical meInbers-ReV. J. w. CheSley,
Rev. John H. Elliott, Rev. Alfred Harding,
Rev. r. II. Mckim, D. d.
Lay membership Chas. II. Stanley, Mr..
Arthur 8. Browne, Mr.. J. Holdsworth Cor
don.
The Canons Taken Up.
When the proposed changes We're taken
up the question was upon new canon ID.
This, as originally presented by the commit
tee, had provided for the nomination by the
bishop of nine presby tiers and three laymen
to form the ecclesiastical court. but 1t was
changed in the first two sections on motion
of Rev. T. j. Packard of Rockville TO give
the bishop power to appoint a court of pres
byters and laymen learned in the law, the
accused being given the right to challenge
any members thus selected. The organiza-
ton OF the court was provided for in an
amendments offered by Gen. Wilmer.
The question this morning to be cOnsd-
cred was section 3 and the succeeding sec
tons of proposed canon, which were as
follows:
Sec 3 The presentars, or such person or
persons as may be appointed in writing
by them, or a majority OF them, shall be
one-party to the trial and the accused shall
be the other. written notice of the time
and place Of the first meeting of the court
shall he served at least thirty days before
such meeting on the accused, and also on
one of the persons making the pre.entment.
Sec. 1. If at the time appointed Tor the
first meeting of the ecclesiastical court
the whole number of five shall not attend,
then those who do attend, not being less
than four, shall constitute the court and
pr oceed with the trial, and a majority of
tn N shall decide all questions.
Sec ). If at the time appointed for the
first meeting Of the court, the clergyman
presented after having had due notice,
shall not appear before the court. they may
nevertheless proceed as if he were present,
unless for good cause they shall fit to
adjourn until another day.
Sec 6. When the court proce ID 10 the
trial, the evidence shall be reduc ed 10 writ
ing. If on or during the trial the accused
shall confess the truth of charges rs stated
in the preSentment. the court may dispense
with hearing further evidence, and may
proceed at once to state thar decision to
the bishop (who is to pronounce the SEN
tence) as to the sentence that ought 10 be
pronounced.
The Taking of Testimony.
Sec. z Upon the application Of either
party to the court, and it being made to ap-
pear satisfactorily to them that any ma
terial witness cannot be procured upon the
trial, the court may appoint a commission
er to take the testimony of such witness.
Such commissioner may be either a clergy
man or layman 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 an
sWers shall be reduced to writing and shall
be certified by the commissioner and trans
mitted to the court and If competent shall
be received by them evidence. All notices
and papers contemplated under this canon
may be served by one or more summoners
to be appointed by the court, and their GER
tifcate of such service shall be evidence
thereof. In case OF service by any other
person, the fact shall be proved by the
affidavit of such person. A written notice
or paper delivered to party, or left at his
last place Of residence. shall be deemed a
sufficient service of such notice or paper
Counsel shall be allowed on both sides not
exceeding two to either. at the pleasure of
| the parties. The court shall appoint some
person to act clerk, to record carefully
| the proceedings.
Sec. s. The chancellor Of the diocese. or
| in case Of his inability or declining to act.
| some person learned In the law to be ap-
| pointed in his stead by the bishop, or In
| case there is no bishop. by the standing
committee, shall attend the sessions of the
court, and act as its assessor and legal ad-
| wiser, and shall also act as the legal adviser
| Of the court of appeals, In every case aris-
| ing under this canon and canon XII, but
| shall have no vote upon any question aris-
ing upon trial or hearing or in any pro-