Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1902-04-22
GROSS IMMORA[ITY
The Charges Made Against
Gov. Davis by Disci-
pline Committee
OF SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH OF
LITTLE ROCK OF WHICH hE
is A MEMBER
Governor Addresses Letter to the
Church in Which He invites
investigation
HOW IT MAY BE SETTLED

At the close of services in the Sec.
ond Baptist church, Little Rock, Sun.
day night a letter was read from Gov.
ernor Jefferson Davis, in which the
latter asked an investigation of cci.
tain charges made against him during
the bitter campaign preceding the Dem
Ocratlc primaries March 20 last Tho
governor is a member Of this church.
He stated in the letter that while he
asked an investigation, there were
some members who did not fellowship
with him. and with whom he did not
fellowship, hence he would prefer that
the congregation give him letter, in
order that he might depart in peace.
A motion was made that the latter
course be pursued. Pending consider
alton of this motion another member
arose and announced that charges
would be filed by the discipline com.
mittee against the governor, and asked
that committee be appointed to in.
vestigate the same The governor in
his letter did not specify the charges;
he desired to have investigated.
Charges of gross immortality" have
ben made by the discipline committee
against Gov. Jeff Davis, and a congre-
gational meeting is to be held on We'd
nesday night after prayer meeting for
the uprpose of considering the same.
The discipline committee of the
church consists of the following we'll
known citizens: Rev. r. w. O'Kelly,
pastor, ex-officio chairman; M. T.
Locke, Carroll D. Wood. W. II. Buck
ley, W. B. Sadler, ]. G. Jackson, S. G.
Mel and Edmond Craig
Monday forenoon the committee
filed with the clerk of the official
board, Mr. NJ. J. Baker, report, in
which charges of gross immorality'
were made against Governor Davis
"Wednesday night the charges will be
read and discussed, and the congrega-
ton will be left to decide what dispo-
sition shall be made of them and Of
the governor as a fellow member
1t is expected that a sub committee
Camden, TeXarkana. Northwest Ar
kansas and other points in the state,
at which place it has been charged OH
the statements of responsible citizens
that the governor has been guilty of
most disgraceful drunken orgies
Messrs. w. f. Atkinson and Stephcn
Evans have been mentioned in con
nection with this duty.
One of the prominent members OF
the committee said that had Governor
Davis not forced it the matter woull
have been settled without the noto-
riety now unavoidable, and which the
church does not seek. "His foolish
ness alone has brought the matter to
public notice" said the gentleman
The papers in the case are carefully
guarded and the members at this
time positively decline to give them
out for publication. II is learned that
in the report submitted Monday.
there are no specific counts, the
charges being made only in general
terms. 1t is stated that the charges
must be made and substantiated by
Baptist in good standing before the
church will act upon them in the with
ofaWal or their fellowship from one
whose misconduct has made him I'm
worthy of further affiliation.
Ex-Gov. James p. Eagle, promi
nent member of the church, was pres
ent Sunday when the subject came up,
but he had nothing to say.
Governor Davis left Sunday night on
d SIX weeks vacation tour in the
West.
Tie proceedings Wednesday, nieht
are awaited with interest. 1t is prob
able, however, the conservative ele-
ment will prevail and that the church
will vote to give Governor Davis his
letter and "let him depart in peace"
as he suggests. In this event there
will be no investigation of any charges.