The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1874-07-15
The Beecher Investigation.
vi O.EltOn Refuses TO Testify Before
The Committee.
GOSSIP OF A TILTON ORGAN.

New YORK, July 14.-Mr. Francis
ID. Mouton appeared before the
Beecher Investigating Committee last evening
in obedience TO arequest, and made STATE
ment declining to tell what he knew about the
scandal until Beecher aud Titon had both gone
before the committee together and each made
his statement. If after hearing them the COM
mttee could not effect settlement of the
whole difficulty between the parties and still
desired TO hear him (Moulton), he would then
tell the truth and the whole truth. lie said he
was personal friend of both parties and had
acted as umpire between them, and thought
that the whole matter might be settled ii
Beecher would make a statement relieving Ill
ton from unjust charges and insinuatlons
against HIM by Plymouth church and DIR. Ba-
con. 1t was to Iepel these attacks and in self
defence that Tilton wrote the letter 10 Dr. Ba-
con, and when he was set right, Moulton be-
leved that both parties should refuse to re-
open the difficulty merely to crafty public Gu
riosity.
After leaving the committee, Moulton stated
TO a reporter that he loved Beecher as he did
the apple of his eye, but that he would not
stand by and see Theodore Titon crucited.
A Herald reporter learns from uBdoubted au-
thoriy that Mrs. Tilton went before the COM
nttee against her husbands wishes or know-
edge, and that in consequence Tilton has separ-
ated from his wife.
Joseph Howard Jr, of the Star, is preparing
a statement for the committee, taking the
ground tndG llLOu Is ldUOrlDS ulluef Il udllu-
cinatop
The Brooklyn Argus says Theodore Tlton's
letter printed yesterday convinced the public
that he proposed to lay before the Investigating
committee the swown details in the monster
scandal, and to-day we have from the highest
sources, an admission that the friends of Mr..
Beecher are endeavorng to effect comprom-
Use which shall prevent the publication of the
lengthy statement promised by Titon. The
committee will consent to no such proceedings
The investigation must go on. All the facts
obtainable are to be brought out before the
members of the committee, who will ask Mr..
Tilton to report with his witnesses to be heard
unless the present effort to compromise the
matter is successful.
1t is now established that Mr.. Tilton was not
aware of the existance of an investi eating com
mittee in the Plymouth church until after Mrs.
rilton had appeared before the committee to
give her testimony. 1t further appears that
when Mrs. Tilton appeared before the commit
tee she answered only leading questions put to
her in advance by Mr.. Beecher's counsel 1t
appears that after the publication of Tiitnn's
letter adore ssed to DR., Bacon, Mrs. Tilton left
her home in Livingstone street. Mr. Titon
and the children continued to occupy the house
and she receives his friends there. Mrs Tton
is now sojourning in IA family who are friends
| of Mr.. Beecher. 1t is not understood that for
MAJ SeparatIsain N, has taken place belweenMr.
| Mrs. riton's appearance before the Plymouth
church committee is understood to have been
| brought about in this way: Mrs. Tton is on
| intimate terms of friendship with the Owing
toms who are well known attendants at the
| Plymouth church and ardent admirers of Mr..
| Beecher. Occasionally they took a carriage
| drive together in Prospect Park, and il was ON
| one of these pleasant airings that one OF the
| Ovington's is said to have introduced the sub
jeet to Mrs. Tilton Would not She 90. be
| fore the committee and say something that
would relieve Mr.. Beecher from the difficulties
| which beset him?" Mrs. Titon promised
| compliance and it is stated on excellent au-
| thoIity that the next step was to Introduce a
| prominent lawyer to Mrs. Tilton by whom her
| "reminiscences were reduced to a proper form.
| Her appearance before the committee followed.
| A reporter who conversed with a gentleman
| qualified to speak authoritavely, was informed
| that Mr.. Tilton, since his last letter, has been
| approached by a leading member of the com
mittee, and by well-known gentleman from
| Boston, who came down from Peekskil with
| Mr.. BeecheI Yesterday, with overtures of Set
Element. 1t is also known that this gentleman
| from Boston who accompanied Mr.. Beecher
| from Peekskil,w was at Mr.. Tilton's residence in
| Livingstone street at very early hour this
| morning. and that he and Mr.. Tilton left the
| house together and breakfasted at Parker's
| restaurant in WillougnDy street. The exact
| nature of these overtuTes he would not state,
| but their purport was that if Mr. Tilton could
| refrain from the conrse he hac determined up
| on the result of the commission would be sat
| sfactory to the friends of both parties. Nego-
| tiations in this behalf are now being assidu-
| ously pressed upon Tilton who has not ye
| shown any signs of yielding.
Mrs. Tilton is staying at the residence of E
| j. Ovington, Jr., IA Hicks street, and declines
| to see all visitors, and expresses q desire tt
| make no statement.