New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1901-06-25
BARKER MEETS HIS WIFE N IAN
COUNSELLOR LINDABURY WILL ADVISE Mr.
KELLER TO HAVE AN OPEN
CHURCH TRIAL

The Rev. John Keller. II he heeds the advice
OF his counsel. r. Y. Lindahury. will apply 10
Bishop Starkey for an open trial by an &c
clesiastioal court. Mr.. Lndabury who attended
the session AT Chancery Chambers Jersey CITY.
yesterday, said that would he his advice 10 Nj
Keller He added.
The public viii not consider as satisfactory the
secret findings Of an ecclesiastical court as dis
posing Of the case. II cares nothing about YER
diets, but forms its opinions from the testimony.
A secret nearing on the charges against Mr.
Keller would be useless. I know little about
the laws OF Mr.. Keller's church but I suppose
they permit q public hearing Of charges against
a clergyman. II IL is not possible TO secure a
public hearing / will advise against an ecclesi-
astcal trial. for II would not serve 10 Vindicate
Mr.. Keller unless II be held with open doors at
least 10 representatives. Of the press and all the
proceedings ar given 10 the public. There are
Two courses open 10 Mr. Keller 10 pursue in
seeking vindication The first is an ecclesiasti-
cal trial, and the second a libel suit against one
Of the papers that published Mrs. Barker's al
Legged confession. I am ioath TO institute suit
TOT Hbel against any newspaper. ! am con-
WINGED that there was malice in the publiCa-
ton OF the alleged confession hut that il was
published in good faith a matter OF news.
Mr.. Lindabury intimated that he would confer
with Mr.. Keller and his clerical advisers within
few days. Counsellor Lindabury had a talk
yesterday with Messrs. Van Wrinkle and Wall.
the lawyers who defended Barker They refused
10 divulge the object of Mr.. Linda bury's call but
IL is believed to have been about the proposed
open trial by the ecclesiastical court. although
IL may also have been about the civil suit which
Mrs. Barker has threatened 10 institute against
Mr.. Keller both. BAH has not been offered
for Barker. His lawyers declare they have re-
ceived many sympathetic letters and voluntary
offers from property holders II is probable that
bail win not be offered. until the case has been
taken up a writ Of error. if that course
should be taken. ii is not proba BILE that Judge
Blair will set aside the verdict
Mrs. Barker visited her husband yesterday in
the Hudson County Jail. II was their first
meeting since his conviction. They met in the
warden's private room. There was an affecting
scene when they met They embraced and both
wept. Barker promptly recovered his compos-
ure, and solaced his wife They chatted for
half an hour before they parted. Mrs Malloy
and two other friends. woman and a man. who
accompanied Mrs Barker, Joined in the con-
versation toward its close and encouraged
Barker. who has been cheerful. despite the pos
sibility Of TIL long term OF imprisonment and
heavy fine that can be imposed.
The Rev August Fleidner. who is the acting
pastor of the Trinity Mission. said last night
that there would be church trial. and,
further. that Mr. Keller would not ask for one
An Episcopal minister cannot be tried before
the Episcopal Church authorities, he said unless
he has been found guilty of a crime. There is
no such finding in this case. and the mere
cusations do not constitute proper ground for
trial