Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1874-08-20
MOrLTON'S STATEMENT.

The committee furnish the following
report Of the statement made by Mr..
MOultOn on the night of the 10th:
GxNTLxMES or THE CoMx1TrEE-When : was
last before you l stated that | would. a. your re-
quest, produce such documents 1 had. and
make such statement OF facts "a had come 10 NV
knowledge on the subject of your inquiry. |
fully intended so 10 do. and have prepared my
statement OF facts a sustained b. the documents
and made an exhibition Of all the papers that
have come in any way into my possession bear
ing OH the controversy between the parties.
That statement must, OF course. bear with
more or less force upon or the other Of
them. On mature reflection. aided by the
advice Of my most valued friends. l have
rcconsidercd that determination. and am Obliged
10 say to You that feel compelled, from a sense
of duty to the parties 10 my relation 10 their
trOyersy. and To myself, neither 10 make the
statement nor TO produce the documents. When
l first became party 10 the UNHAPPY c2ntro-
yersy between MrsSrS. BeeChCr and TiiLOn I had
no personal knowledge nor any documents il nv
possession which could affect either. Every
thing that | know OF fact. or have received Of
papers, has come 10 me in the most sacred con
Tdeuce, 10 be Used for he purpose of composing
and settling I'll difficulties between them.
and preventing, SO far as possible, anf
knowledge OF their private affairs be-
ing brought to public notice. For this purpose
all their matters have been intru>ted to ~ and
for none other. II | should now Use them II
would be not for the purpose of peace and recon
Citation but To voluntarily take part IN contro-
themselves. How faithfully. earnestly ana hon
cStly l have labored TO do my duty 70 the parties
for peace they both know. The question tor me-
10 settle for myself and no other Is now. ought l
to do anything to aid either party IN renewed con-
trOyersy by the use OF that when 1 received anu
have used only to promote harmony: OA my
honor and conscience l think | ought not, ana,
at the risk OF whatever OF INSTRUMENTATION ara
yituperation may come upon me. must adhere
10 the dictates OF nv own Judgment and preserve
At least my own scf-rcspcct: call attention
again 10 the fact that yours y a mere Fos.HiaI!
tribunal and that whatever do here l. done BY
a voluntary and not compelled witness. whether
before any tribunal having power 70 COM
pei the production OF testimony ana state
mtnt OF fact | shall ever pt0ddGc 'AcSt
DapcrS or give any OF 1hcsc confidential
statements reserve. TO myself 10 judge of Tie
emergency which hope may never conc against
nv wish. Is I never have been II sympathy
with renewal Of 1liiS conflict. part 81 these
documents have been gwen 10 the pubic. In 50
far confidence in re.-aru TO them mas ceased. IL
i hut ju>I therefore. and due To the parties thaL
the whole o. those documents i'oI'-o-s u WINCH
only have been given. shall De- pui into your
hands In response 10 the tlrice-rcuewed re-
quest of the committee ha'e' therefore:
copies Of them. which I produce here and
place in the hands of The comm zee. with
the hope and request thar. airer they
have been examined by them they may
be returned TO ne. IF any controversy
shall arise rs 10 the authenticity Of he copies
Of the documents that point, --i-3! hold my
self open To speak in defense OF M own honor
and the uprIzhtness OF my course II ali
this unfortunate aad unhappy business. Of the
purity and CaGtlOr OF which I appeal 10 the con-
sciences Of beth parties 20 sustain me. I do u8I
propose. ana hope I llay never be called upon
hereafter ~ speak either Is 10 the t1c-s or pro-