Evening journal., 1908-03-18
WiImingfonMethodis Con-
ference Appoints a Com
miffee of Fifteen TO Sit
as a Jury, Beginning
This Afternoon.
TALH IF A FUND
FOR PROSECUTION

Before a committee of fifteen MEM
bers Of the Wilmington Methodist
Episcopal Conference, a hearing Of
charges preferred against the Rev. DR..
A. w. Lightbourn, pastor Of Wesley
Church at Dover, will begin this after
noon at $50 o'clock in Asbury Church.
The Conference at its opening session
this morning decided to refer DR.
Lightbourne's case to a select commit
tee Of fifteen, and that committed
this afternoon vii determine whether
or not its sittings will be public or
whether testimony will be taken in
secret.
While the charges against DR.. Light
bourne were not announced publicly
but were filed this morning, a minister
familiar with the charges said they
were based entirely on an allegation
that DIR. Lightbourne was admitted
into the Wilmington Conference on
credentials presented by him purport-
ing to be from the Congregational
Church, and that such credentials were
irregular and invalid. It is alleged
that DR.. Lightbourne was aware of
the irregularity. It also was said that
these credentials have disappeared
since DR.. Lightbourne was admitted
into the Wilmington Conference.
Prior TO the reference of the case
to the committee of fifteen there was
a discussion in which Dr. Lightbourne
quoted a rumor to the effect that some
ministers OF the conference had con-
tributed to a fund to defray the ex
penses Of the prosecution, and he did
not think that any minister who had
contributed othe prosecution should
be eligible to sit as a member of the
select committee or jury. The Rev.
EN-. Cantwell, who with the Rev. S.
p Shipman preferred charges against
DR.. Lightbourne, announced that so
far as he knew such a rumor was
false.
Bishop Godsell declined to pass upon
the question ofthe eligibility OF men
who may have subscribed to a fund
TO assist the prosecution to sit upon
the select committee, inasmuch as he
had no knowledge that such contr.-
buttons BAD been made.
However he submitted a list OF
names of ministers with a suggestion
that counsel for both sides confer and
try to agree amicsbly on fifteen NAMES.
The following ministers were agreed
upon and announced as the select ccm-
mittee to try the charges:
Revs. W. L. White. z. II. Webster,
3 p. Poole, +. f. Carpenter, s. N. Pf
chard G. S. Thomas, ]. p Outten, ].
W. Colona, c. w. Strickland. f. J.
Cochran, w. o. Hurst, J. P. otis and
R. K. Stephenson.
Bishop Goodsell designated the Rev.
9. w. Prettyman to preside over the
select number or committee to try the
case.
Case Called Up
The Lghtbourne case cserb before
Conference when Bishop Goodsell, at
the opening session of the Wilmington
Conference in Asbury Church this
morning called for the report Of Pre-
siding Elder S. M. Morgan, Of the
Dover district. The Conference ses-
sion was largely attended. Prior to
the business session there was a COM
munion service, conducted by Bishop
Goodsell, assisted by Presiding Elder
MowbraY Koons, Morgan and Stengle.
When the characters Of the minis-
tsrs on Dover district were called IT
the business session, Presiding Elder
Morgan announced:
"There Is nothing against any effect
i've elder excepting A. w Lightbourne,
against whom charges have been pre-
aented, duly signed, and placed in my
hands"
"Shan the charges be heard by the
Conference or before a select num-
ber?" inquired the bishop.
DR.. Morgan moved that they be tried
before a select committee OF fifteen
ministers
The Rev. S. P. Shipman, one Of the
men who preferred the charges, re-
marked; There are serious and grave
reasons why the charges should be
pasged on enN tried by the Conference
in executive session."
At this juncture DR.. Lightbourne
arose and addressed the Conference
"There are many reasons why the
charges should be tried by a select
number" he said. ITO occupy the
time Of the entire Conference in con-
sidering things which are simply per-
sonal time would be asking too r-uch
of the Conference. There are certain
inherent rights accorded TO an accused
person and one Is that Of haNgng a fair
and impartial jury. I shall exercise
the right to challenge, If you have a
trial before a select number, and If Il
IS tried before the Conference ] can
not exercise such a right"
With but two or three hands ups
lifted in opposition the charges were
referred TO a select number Tor trial
The next instant DR.. Lightbourne caus-
ed many persons to take immediate
notice when he said:
Hints at a Fund.
1T is widely reported that there has
been raised in advance of this hearing
fund for defraying the expenses oi
the prosecution. If that be true 4
seems that the prosecution should fur
IRISH the defense with a list OF the
names OF those who contributed to the
fund. OF course everyone win see
that a person who contributes to q
sins. a party or cause becomes part
of that cause and it seems to me such
contributing would be a good ground
for challenge"
DR.. Lightbourne asked Bishop Good
sell to pass upon the question OF
whether a person contributing in ad-
vance TO fund to aid the prosecution
would be disqualified because of such
contribution. The Bishop replied that
Il was net a question Of law raised