Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-04-18
MORE CHURCH TROUBLE
THE CoLoRED BAPTIsTs AGAIN
IN COURT.
James Chapman Applies for Further
Restraining Order-Rehearsal
of the Difficulties.

The troubles of the congregation of the
Metropolitan Baptist Church, street be-
tween 18th and 18th streets. took another
turn today when James Chapman. one OF
the members of the church and a supporter
of Rev Simon p. w. Drew, petitioned the
court to restrain Anderson Hogan, George
w. Smith and William Bolden from hold
ing a meeting announced for o'clock this
evening and from interfering with the
status of the members OF the church. ana
from trying or expelling Chapman or any
other member Of the church until after the
election of a pastor, as heretofore ordered
by the court.
Attorney Campbell Darlington, represent
ing Chapman, presented the petition to Jus
tice Gould, in Equity Court No. 2. who d.
rected the defendants mentioned to show
cause next Wednesday morning at 10
o'clock why they should not be restrained,
as asked.
As an outcome of the proceedings insti-
tuted by Hogan and others against Drew
and others Justice Gould recently directed
that O vote be taken to determine wnetner
or not an election OF pastor shall De heiu,
and, IL 1t Is decided to elect a pastor, then 10
hold such an election. The court directed
that the first vote be taken noxt Friday.
Drew desires to be pastor or the church,
but he is strenuosy opposed by hogan anu
the latter's followers. a.,
In the petition filed today the court is
informed that the complainants and those
associated with them, with the frauouieht
purpose of preventing Chapman and many
others from voting at the election, nave
issued to him, and to about 500 or 6OO
other members in good standing. notice
mot issued in good faith the fact that II IS
proposed to dispose of several hundred
cases at one session being evidence or
fraudulent intent
Calls It "Flimsy Action"
According to the petitioner. the COM
plainants, knowing that there is a large
majority of qualified voters against them,
have adopted this fimsy action, looking
t,.the expulsion of the majority, to the end
that they may carry the election by means
of fraud"
Chapman says to the court that this at
tempt to try several hundred members
upon trumped up charges. vague and I'M
certain. of violating church covenant will
the peace" He adds: THE scheme is, in
fact. contempt of this court. 1t being an
offense to violate the order of the court
which has in view the holding Of a fair
election"
Chapman, as stated, asked that the COM
plainants and their associates including
George w. Smith, moderator, and VIM. Boil
den, clerk be enjoned from holding a meet
Ing this evening at o'clock, as announced;
or from interfering or expelling Chapman
or any other member of the church until
after the election ordered by the court.
The printed notice served on Chapman,
dated the 18th instant, follows:
This is to certify that you are hereby
charged with public offense. namely vio-
lating church covenant, by deacons of the
said Metropolitan Baptist Church. You are
notified to attend the next deacon meeting
on Monday, April IS. o'clock, and show
cause why you should not be dealt with
according to the discipline of said church.
Done on the above date by ruling of the
church,
The notice bears the printed names of
the following: "Deacons-Geo. w. Smith
chairman: George Davis, Gill Baker, Will
liam Price. William Trice. ]. 3. Ruffin,
NatLen Lawson. Burl Hill. c. w. Bolton,
Joshua Johnson. A. Hogan, Charles Webb
and John Holmes. and William Bolden
clerg.' and is signed by Geo. w. Smith,
moderator. -.