The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1874-08-14
TELEGRAPH1C.
.MOULTON'S STATEMENT.
He Throws no Light On The
EG. Mystery.
He Produces Copies Of all Documents,
and offers a chance to Compare
them with the Originals.
But Makes no Statement as to their
Contents.
And Shuts his Mouth.
Other News Items.

Nciny pCtWCcu tuc PaftieS. hat Stdtc
ment must. of course, bear with more OF
less force upon one or the other of them.
Upon mature reflection, aided by the ad-
vice of my most valued friends, | have re-
considered that determination aud am
obliged to say to you that | feel compelled
from asense of duty to the parties, to my
relation TO their controversy and to myself,
not to make the statement, nor to produce
the documents. When | first became "A
party to this unhappy controversy between
Mr.. Beecher and Mr.. Jiiton had no per
sonal knowledge nor any document in my
possession which could affect either Ev-
erything know of the facts or have re
ceved of the papers has come to me in
the most sacred confidence, to be used tor
the purpose of composing and settling all
difficulties between them, and preventing
SO far as possible my knowledge Of their
private affairs being brought to public no
tice. For this purpose all their matters
have been entrusted to me, and for none
other, If | should now use them it would
be not for the purpose OF peace and reconcile
alton but to voluntarily take partin the con
troversy which they have seen fit to renew
between themselves. How faithfully, earn
estly and honestly have labored to do my
duty to the parties for peace they both
know The question for me to settle for
myself and no other is, now. ought to do
anything to aid either party in renewing
the controversy by the use Of that which /
received to be used only to harmony. On
my honor and conscience think l ought
not, at any risk whatever. Misconstruc-
ton and yituperation may come upon me
but | must adhere to the dictates of my
own Judgment and preserve at least my
sell:respect call attention again to the
fact that yours is mere plenary tribunal,
and whatever | do here is done voluntari-
ally and not as compelled witness.
Whether before any tribunal having pow
er to compel the production OF testimony
and the statement of facts shall ever pro-
duce these papers or give any OF these con-
fdential statements, reserve to myself to
Judge of the emergency, which hope may
never come. | never have been in sympa.
thy with the renewal of this conflict. In
sotar, my confidence in regard to them has
ceased. 1t is but just, therefore, and due
to the parties that the whole of these doc
uments, portions of which only have been
given, shall be put into your hands. In
response to their renewed request J. have
copies of them which / produce here and
the hope and request that after they have
been examined by them they may be re.
turned to me. If any controversy shall
arise as to the authenticity Of the copies
or documents, on that point l shai, hold
myself to speak. With this exception, ex-
cept in defense of my own honor and the
uprightncss of my course, in all this un-
fortunate and unhappy business, appeal
to the purity and candor, and to the con-
sciences of both parties to sustain me. l
do not propose, and hope | may never be
called upon hereafter, to speak either as to
the facts or to produce any papers that
have received from either of the parties
involved herein.
(Signed.) FRANCIS D. MoULToN.
In the cross examination Mr. Winslow
said MIR, Moulton We the committee
desire to ask you some questions. Notwith-
standing the position you take in your
written statement, we are well aware
as you know by the invitations which the
committee have sent you, that we are In
good faith pursuing our investigation.
You will remember that we were appoln-
ted by the pastor of Plymouth Church
with the sanction and approval OF the ex
amining committee of that church, to in.
quire into matters relating to the alleged
grievances of Tiiton We look upon you
as one of the principal sources of evidence.
The committee are disappointed at the
position you take We are not court
with compulsory powers. We await your
pleasure. The committee desire to know
whether you have so deliberately formed
this purpose as to make it beyond recall
as things now stand.
Mr.. Moultoa replied, calling attention to
the language of the invitation requesting
him to bring all letters, &C., referred to
by Tilton IN his statement before the COM
mittee. He had completed and produced
copies of the letters referred to, the authen-
ticity of which he was ready to establish.
These are authentic copies and the wit
ness would vouch for them he stood on
the communication he had made to-day
and would make no other.
Mr.. " inslow wanted to know If he
would not produce the originals, and was
answered that he would put them In the
hands of the committee within few min-
utes. On motion of Mr.. Cleveland it was
voted that Mr. Winslow be authorized to
90 with Mr.. MouIton and examine and
verify the documents, After scme con.
yersatipn 10 regard to the proceedings Of
the present session Mr.. Moulton retired
The committee remained in consultation
until I p. NJ. and then adjourned.
La SALE ILL.,. Aug l3.-The piers for
the new bridge across the Illinois rver,op-
posite this city, are nearly completed;
Four car loads of iron and two carloads OF
plank have been delivered, and the wo k
Of putting up the superstructure will be
soon commenced.
ST. ALBAss, Vt, Aug. l3.-The night
express train, which lett Boston last even,
ing for Montreal. via the Psssunp>ic and
Southeastern railroads, was wrecked TIM
morning few miles north OF biehford; ' [
4 The following persons are reported killed
Engineer Lancet; Roadmaster Z. ). Har.
ris, Conductor Quiinby, the fireman and
little girl. A wecking train and two ply