New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-08-28
STATEMENT OLE Ii. NJ. SMITH.


THE CIRCUMSTANCES UNDER WHICH HE CONvERSED
WITH Mr.. TILToN-THE ONLY THING THAT HE
SUPPOSED WOULD BE PUBLISHED.
The action of Henry G. Bowen and his sons
Yesterday In bringing suit against Tho Brooklyn Argus
for libel alleged TO have been contained In an inter-
view purporng to have taken place between Henry NJ
Smith formerly managing editor of The Ch'cdyo TRIO
e aud one of its reporters aroused an Interest IN the
article which owing to Mr.. Smiths denial published on
Tuesday in THE TRIBUNE. it never before had Hence
pnrNE reporter called Mr. Smith at his hotel yeser-
day to ascertain possible what basis there was Tor the
interview as published Mr.. Smith was very reluctant
about speaking on the subject. but finally made the
statement which will be found below
Ibad proposed, said Mr.. Smith, to say nothing about
the aptice published IN The Brooklyn Argus of Monday
nnrpOrng to statements OF mine IN regard 10 the
position of the Rev. Dr. Patton OF Cmcago with reference
card published in THE TRIBUNE Of Tuesday morning,
utterly disavowng the pnnGa o anu & sbans
the Incident assumes makes 1t the proner time lor
the statement which must have been foreseeD would
" Mr. Tton Is an old friend Of mine. Manv, pleasant
offices have interchanged between us had been
guest his house in former years. and under happier
circumstances Having had little sympathy with ms
nv recent trips New-York Last Sunday morning
left my hotel to attend church In Brooklyn. was ae
tanned beyond the church hour ana passing r near
No ia Livingston-st.. / called to see Mi. Ilton
e %ss moi Of returning to but met Mr. tOn
and with him young man named Kay %n1n ne miro
We walked few squares and then returned to Mr.
Tilton's house. Mr. Tlton spoke immediately OF en-
Wsb m very indusousy and Withdrawing
myself from their immediate vicinity. threg myself On
resting would return to New.York was induced by
the cosy surroundings to remain for lunch IN brooklyn
passed much of the time IN looking over papers and
understood it, preparing s5m t ME- To
time remarks were exchanged between US,
and at length Mr.. Tllton removed to my
apAa tinn up0a he "A
manning the table, busted. as supposed with other
matters Among the visitors OF the day was Edward
met before for number OF years aud VINO was engaged
the Between Mr. ca and myself
proracted. freeandeasy conversation occurred told
| hm-one as an old friend which he might answer to
me frankly not as he ch0se the other Tor my infor
nation and his own, III connection viii the charges
against Mr. Beecher, which was mystery to me-
asked him very plain question as 10 his relations to
Mrs Woodruff which he seemed TO answer as frankly.
The whole character of the conversation very frank
and free, and any uneasness might have felt with
Tas peTee ct sed by Mr. Ttons re
lions with him, and believing himself as much inter
was question that had before asked OF
others during this affair and should have asked more
| prominently had l been connected with the press:
what Mr. Tton's part in the discussion OF runors
against Mr.. Beecher among leading members OF his
denomination two years agop THIS made necessary
reference 10 the names OF several olergymen, among
them that of the Rev. DIR. Patton OF Chicago, who
@e being editor Of TIE Chicago sne IN
Office, expressing his OF the absolute
that the rumors against Mr.. Beecher floating
the country should be examined and explained and his
| character freed from them. The reference TO
DR. Patton was entirely, then believed and st be-
lieye TO his honor and credit He Leading clergy
man in the West-none more prominent III the CoDgre-
| gational denomination. He was editor of "A leading
Congregational newspaper. He expressed to me al the
time deicacy OF his position, which would tend 10
place him false gat should he press an inyesti-
but ne thought a. the proper province Of lead
pressed TO any knowledge whatever OF the grounds
| Of these rumOrs
L asked Mr. Tlton: "were you connected with those
rumOrs3 Were you at this time pushing those charges
know that your relations to DR.. Patton were not Of
character at that time, 10 make him confdant OF
yours and IL II the charges must
have had some other sourcei What that
sources ~ The fact I put in Mr.. Tltons pos
sesson did not to be one, that Dr. Patton
had held this position was aware that Mr. Ray took
notes of what was saying to the date Of Dr. Patons
yidt 20 me- and ssked hun bs was taking them tor