The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-03-17
RICHTER TRIAL ON
Formal Charges Are Laid Before the
Minneapolis Presbytery.
A SPEEDY VERDICT EXPECTED
Arguments the Charges Pre-
scented To-day VIII Be Heard
March 81. .-,

At an adjourned meeting of the Presby-
terry OF Minneapolis this morning in West
minister church the committee Of prosecu-
ton brought in formal charges in the case
OF the Presbyterian Church of the United
States in America against Louis Richter
which charges were adopted. The date OF
trial is set for Monday, March 81, at 10 a.
IN. According to precedent the sessions
will probably be executive. 1t is not sur
missed that the defendant will make a
technical, long drawn out fight and the
proceedings may not consume more than
a day
The complaint is divided into. two
charges. With the first is given one spe.
clhcation and with the second charge
three specifications. The witnesses ana
evidence are named in each charge. Tha
first charge reads:
The Presbyterian Church in the United
States Of America charges Louis Richter a
minister Of the gospel of the Presbyterian
church in the United States of America, with
doctrine and practice which tempt others to
sin and mar their spiritual editication, which
doctrine and practice also contrary to the
deliverances OF the general assembly of the
Presbyterian church in the United States of
America.
Specification 1-Said Louis Richter has, by
printed pamphlets published and circulated
by him, and by his authority. and by articles
written by him and published in the secular
press been engaged for many years in de-
Tending and advocating the manufacture, sale
and OF intoxicating liquors and in de-
Tending the saloon, and has been endeavoring
to discredit and hold up to rdcule and con-
tempt the attitude of the church on the sub
iect of temperance and the saloon. Since
some time in the year 1896 he has been re-
ceiving pay from the Minneapolis Brewers
association for this work. BY this course
he has disgraced the church, degraded the
high calling OF minister of the gospel,
tempted others, and especially the young, to
sin, and has marred the spiritual edificatiori
of his brethren in the Lord, both officers and
duct has been greatly aggravated by the
fact that in such pamphlets and other pub
lished articles, said Richter has almost in
variably endeavored to call attention by his
signature, or otherwise, the fact that the
writer was a minister of the gospel in full
standing.
The witnesses and evidence consist O!
printed pamphlets, entitled: THE Truth
on the Temperance Question" THE Truti
on the Temperance Question. Second Edi-
tion Revised and Enlarged 1.-THE Church
and the Saloon Communion Wine, ,
communications published in The Pro
gress, witness, J. S. Mccormack: comics:
sions of Louis Richter before the Presby.
terrain Ministers association, testified t.
by Rev. Messrs. M. D. Harding and J. C.
FAIRIES.
The second count charges Louis Richter
minister OF the gospel, with deliberate
and persistent violation of his covenant
VOWS.
In the civil case of Louis Richter agains
the North and West Publishing company
the answer of the defendant has been f1leG
and the case will probably De on the cal
endar of the district court within d
month.