Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1921-10-08
MAY USE MANDAMUS
TO OBTAIN PAPERS
Failure Of Expelled Clergyman
to Give Up Credentials May
Cause Suit.

Not until Monday will there be any
other move made in the case OF X. Il.
westron. the expelled Methodist min
lister. who untr Tuesday night was a
regularly ordained minister in the NJ.
r.. church. Rev. DIR. Robert Watt, sup
crintendent OF the Wilmington district
Nj. r.. Conference. who presented the
charges against Mr.. westron, accus-
Ing him OF conduct unbecoming
minister. through splitting marriage
fees with Elkton, Md, tHneymen,
where he had established residence,
went to Elkton yesterday with Rev.
r. w. Wells.
They attempted 10 confer with
states Attorney warburton, but be-
cause that official was out OF town,
had 10 defer their conference. On his
return 10 this city, DIR. Watt an
ncunccd that there would be nothing
done until Monday. If MIR. Western
does not forward his ordination papers
60 DIR. Watt by that time, mandamus
Proceedings will be instituted, accord
ing To Dr. Watt to obtain the papers
DIR. Watt and Mr.. Wells visited tac
office OF the clerk of the court, TO learn
n Mr.. Western had filed any mar
rage certificates since Tuesday. They
learned that he was in the haolt OF
Ming them once week.
Western was not in evidence III
Eikton yesterday. Reports We're that
he was ut his home between North
East and Rising sun. According TO
the advices from his attorney, he has
decided 20 quit the marrying busine =
for the time at least.
Bishop Mcdowell. who is in charge
OF the Wilmington Conference, has
been apprised OF all that took place
az the trial and is gratified, he states
al the fair and open-mindcd man
ner I'm which IL was conducted
According TO DIR. Watt. Mr.. Western
has received from him a certified let
ter asking for the ordination papers,
and Or. Watt has his written ac-
acknowledgement that he has gotten
the letter.
Won't Surrender Papers.
r.. Kirk Brown, attorney for Mr.
Western, said today. that he had haC
a conference with the deposed minis
ter last night and had advised hin
after discussion of his affairs to g
three things: To refuse To sprrendel
his ordination papers. to take an ap
neal 20 the church, and to cease per
forming marriages until the chlrc'
further acts on the case.
Il attended the public trial at WI
mlngton on Tuesday night" said Mr.
Brown. and IL was a high handed sta
chamber proceeding. No one but tn
church people were permitted To tak'
part and l don't think poor Mr.. West
ren had a chance.
Il told him Il was best not TO marry
any more persons until the churcl
anally acted on the matter.
'Is he going 10 appeal 10 the VII
minston conference?" Mr.. Brown wal
asked7
OF don't think he WILL" the attorne,
replied. because I do not think tn
wilmington conference has jurisdic
tion over him and his actions. l an
going 20 take the matter up witt
prominent Methodist laymen wh'
know the church discipline, and NJ
decision as to where the appeal vii
he made VIII be decided upon unit
the case at hand has been thorough.
discussed.
"Did Mr.. Western perform any mar
riages after being expelled from tn
ministry" the attorney was asked.
Il cannot answer that question de
fnitely" he replied. because | di
not ask Mr.. Western. I have hear
tha, he did marry couple Of person
on Wednesday morning, before h
learned that he had been expelled"
Mr.. Brown was asked If Mr.. West
ren did not hurry away from the iris
without waiting TO learn what th
verdict was. and that consequently
was his own fault II he did not kno'
that the case had been decided again'
him.
Yes nc did." the attorney answers
"IIe came 20 Wilmington in my cs
and I wanted to hurry home, belieN
Ing that the verdict might be delaye
and he had 10 come with me or el.
stay overnight. which he did not wal
20 DO"
Mr.. Brown said that Mr.. Westre
had given yp his chapel" and hs
retired 20 his farm, where he pr,
posed 20 remain pending the dispos
fion az his apDeal.