The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1874-12-24

tSIQptSu DldChm6u. IL HAS OeeU
thought in this case it was so apparent
hat there was no collision that Mrs.
Tilton might be competent witness,
but there is positive statute, and no
exception Of the sort can be made. 1t
is upon this ground, therefore, that
Mrs. Tilton cannot be brought forward
as a witness by either side, and not that
she has contradicted herself. This
latter fact might make her an
Improbable witness npon which
ever side. but counsel
for the defense assert that except for
the law she would become witness.
Her incompetency will prevent the in
PRODUCTION of large quantity of evil
dence which has been looked for with
special interest. Upon the one hand,
not only her letters referring to he-
secret her confession to her husband,
but also her alleged confessions Of
adultery to Miss Anthony and others,
must be omitted from the evidence.
Upon the other hand her formal state
ments Of the causes by which she was
compelled to make certain accusations
against Mr.. Beecher and her retractiors
are thrown out. This necessity would
seem to be more prejudicial to MIR. Til
toms than to Mr.. Beecher's case.
Were it to be shown that she had con-
fessed adultery to outside parties at
times when her husband could have
had no commanding influence over her
mind, it could hardly fail to damage
Mr.. Beecher more than her general and
specific retractions and denials could
aid him.
james McDermott. a stenographer.
, employed by Mr.. Bowen at the time he
called upon Mrs. Woodruff for such
evidence as she had against Mr.. Beech
er, has made written statement en-
bracing in IA or Is pages of legal cap
all that Mrs. Woodruff knew OF the
scandal, and the authorities for her
statements. Mr.. McDermott has since
been injured and will be unable to APP
pear in court and it is a question
" neither his testimony will or will not
be admitted.
EVIDENCE FOR TIIR DEFENSE.
The witnesses for the defense vii
embrace large number, some of whom
have already been prominent IN the
case and others whose names have not
appeared. Mr.. Beecher will be called
upon to explain his remarkable letters.
the apology" his efforts to silence sus-
picion, what he told Mr.. kinsella, Mr..
and Mrs. Mouton, and Mr.. Tilton. 1t is
anticipated that the examination of
Mr.. Beecher will last at least two days,
and his cross-examination at the hands
of the plaintiff 5 lawyers will occupy
not less than four or five days. 1t is
said that the croSs-examination will be
among the severest ever made OF any
witness, and with such witness and
such an array Of counsel to object on
his part, end such belligercnt counsel
on the other hand to insist on an
sTcrs, it is safe to conclude that 1t will
certainly be among the most remarka-
bic examinations ever recorded.
An important witness for the de-
Tense, strange to relate, will be found III
Henry NJ. Cleveland, one of the Investi
eating Committee. He is said to have
known more than any other OF Mr..
Beecher friends, excepting Mr.. Moul-
ton, Of the distress OF mind which Mr..
Beecher suffered on account Of
the threatened explosion. He
was informed by Mr.. Beecher
of many, if not all, the plans for keep
ing the scandal silent, and often be is
said to have walked the streets with
Mr.. Bcecher at midnight, and later,
discussing the various steps to be
taken. He conferred with Mr.. Moul-
ton at times regarding the surest meth
DDS of hushing The affair forever. He
will testify that the only charge he ever
understood to have been made was tina,
of improper advances; that neither Mr..
Beecher nor Mr. Moulton ever men,
toned to him that anything more had
been imagined by Mr.. Tilton; that Mr..
Beecher always denied the truth of the
charge. and that Mr.. Moulton always
disclaimed belief in it, and was working
to keep down false accusation.