Evening journal., 1917-01-24


Il will not stand here and listen to
n words" declared Mr.. Cooke, and
ling on his overcoat. he marched
followed by Mrs. Cooke who had
nded him AZ the trial.
Watt demanded order and the
ing proceeded without further in
uption. Up to thse Mr.. Cooke
several times dix el the pro-
ngs By talking in 4 .old numb
tons 70 his counsel.
Watt Presides.
The hearing was quiet and digni-
fed, the court sitting in formal fash
ion. Dr. Robert Watt, superintendent
of Wilmington district, occupying the
dais as presiding officer, and being
hanked by other court officials, the
Rev Elwood w. Jones. acting as sec
etary and the Rev. E II. Dashiell
"a Caleb p. Burchenal appearing as
rnsel FOR the appellants, Crew and
lorp.
The Triers Of Appeals. only ten Of
whom appeared. selected at the quar-
terly conference 10 sit in cases OF
this sort, occupied seats immediate
~ IN front OF the presiding officer
and were az follows
Charles A. Beck, OF Mt. Salem NJ.
p. Church J. A. Smith. OF Eastlalte
H. r Church, y. n. Leonard, OF As
bury NJ r. Church; william Dea-
Syne. Of New Castle NJ. z. Church;
W. r. Marks Of McCabe NJ T..
Church; W r. Drummond. OF Scott
NJ. r.. Church @. J. Bowen, OF Kinss-
wood NJ T.. Church. s. w Day Of
Newport NJ. T. Church: II. J Bailey.
Of Silverbrook NJ. r. Church. and A
T. Johnson. Of 81 Paul's NJ. e
church. The latter was selected as
chairman.
The hearing opened at about 8
o'clock. being called to order by DR..
Watt. who asked when the court oni-
clals all had taken their places: shall
The appeal be entertained %
Upon being answered In the anlrma-
tive by the Triers OF Appeal, and the
roll having been called. DR.. Watt ask
ca the consideration OF the court
while he read a decision explaining
why he could not permit Mr.. Coobe
90 act as counsel for the church at
ne hearing Up to this time. Pastor
Cooke had assumed 20 far az they
were necessary. the duties of counsel.
These duues. however, amounted
fo announcing that the respondents
In the appeal hearing were ready
Dr. Watts decision follows:
In the order Of procedure in the
Appellate Court convened to hear the
appeals Of Messrs. Crew and Thorpe.
who complain that their rights under
ne law and usage OF the Methodist
Episcopal Church, had been flagrant-
~ disregarded by the president Of the
-
Cooke. said Cooke sought recogni-
ton as counsel for the church, which
request. was for the subjoined reasons
ienied by the Rev. Robert Watt,
president OF the Appellate Court.
'In the res gesta OF these appeals
appeared that the pastor OF Wesley
Methodist Episcopal Church, Will
mington, Del, to wit. the Rev. G.. A
Cooke, exercised the three-foid func.
ton OF Judge. prosecuting attorney
and witness That the said Rev. q
A. Cooke did also address the jury
sai0 address being taken in shorf
hand and appended to these appeals
II further appears that the pastor
who presided at the trials OF these ap-
pellants quoted Merrill on the Judi.
cial processes Of the Methodist Epis-
copal Church. 70 jurtify the exercise
Of these manifold functions.
Nov, l. Robert Watt. by authority
nf the laws and usaRes OF the Metho-
dist Episcopal denomination. as presi-
dent Of this Appellate Court. must
deny 20 said Rev. G. A. Cooke, rec
0gnition as counsel for the church
and for the following reasons. TO wit
1. mo interpretative authority
however eminent that authority may
be. can interpret away tho plain pro.
visions OF the law Of the denomina.
ton.
@ Furthermore, the highest Legal
tribunal in Methodism. viz. the Judi
ciary Committee, whose finding have
been confirmed by the General Con
ference. has emphatically and un
equivocaiiy declared that an admins
traitor who IN the conduct OF a tria
exercises the double function Of judg
and attorney prosecuting, violates tn
judicial procedure OF all civilized peo
pies. hence an administrator Is for
hidden to exercise these double func
tions, for the reasons assigned Thi
Is so firmly written In the law. an
so plainly set forth. that "he VIII
runs may read"
3. Wherefore. for the president Z
an Appellate Court TO recognize q
counsel one who as administrator,
defiance Of Methodist law and usag
exercised this double function. s
plainly inhibited by the law OF IN
church. would be 10 make the pres
dent Of this court a party TO leg'
niquity or in other words. particeT
criminis. and at the same time e,
pose him 10 charge OF gross and ma
lignant administration. The reques
therefore, Of the Rev. G. A. Cooke,
the matter under review, and for th
reasons assigned. is denied.
Note-"However, that the interest
i the church might be in the matte
i these appeals cared for. the pres
lent Of this court has appointed th
,ev. DR.. V. S. Collins 10 represent tn
church, duty which DR.. Collins per
lorms out OF Difference to the law
and usages OF the Methodist Episco
pal Church as embodied in the of1c
OF district superintendent.
"As Of record, this 2Srd day G
January, 1917, in Scott Methodi,
Episcopal Church
Robert Watt.
District Superintendent
Attest Elwood W. Jones,
Secretary"
Or. Watt announced that he h,