New-York tribune., 1874-09-19
RELATIONS WITH HENRY c. BOWEN.


Having thus considered Mrs. Tilton's confession
ofJuly g. 1870 together with the various facts which
olu-ter more closely about this than about any other
snge branch Of this case shall now take opportunity
before coming TO my dealings face TO FACE Win MI
Beecher 20 refer TO Mr. Henry G. Bowen must 10
this with exphctness because the keynote OF MI
Beecbers attack on me is that my accusation against
him originated IN my business troubles with MI bowen
In Mr.. Beechers elaborate statement, the first pro-
position which he lays down. and which forms the basis
OF his ensuing argument, is IN these words:
-Four wears ago Theodore nltOn fell froL one OF the
proudest editorial chairs In America
shall show that the above statement, together with
the whole argument that Mr. Beecher bases upon IT, is
20 wholly untrue that might almost say that language
could not be put faser From the beginning OF
1856 10 close OF ls0a period OF hteen years. was
IN Mr Bowen's employ in The Independent in various
characters, from subordinate TO chief. How well
served 10y employer himself publicly attested at the
end OF fourteen years of service, when Ia publish
Ing an illuminated edition OF The independent III COM
memorstion OF the twentytrst year Of It's age-Which
was the year before lett-he published over his own
signature special euogy of my la5ors In this article,
which states that il written to do justice 10 ts
present editor Theodore Tou," Mr.. Bowen looks back
through my fourteen of service and records hm-
self as approving his mr. Titon's) every movement
aud suggestion" &c. could not have wished higher
praise from my employer, particularly as covering so
Tonga period of service. During the following year,
lsO-whch was the last Of my connection with The In
dependeRtI became temporarily the editor also OF The
BrooklHJt Daily UiOn have letter from Mr.. Bowen,
dated Aug. H. 1870. concerning my labors in
The UniOH which the writer begins in the following
WOODSTOCK, Conn.,
= MT DEAR ME. yHIoS: Il had 74-poanaer would
Gre 1t among those hills and sc. Aem feNe'UeiaADs AZ
nonOr OF your last leader on politics.
The above is a fair specimen of the cordial way Id
which Mr. Bowen, during Is years, was prompt to ap-
prove my degree of appreciation on his part
for which in spite Of my subsequent disagreement with
him. always look back upon gratefully My first diff
ference with Mr. Bowen-atring one-occurred shortly
after he wrote the above letter. he had meanwhile
come 70 Brooklyn and taken strong interest in the
election OF certain local candidates whom had opposed
Moreover supporter OF President Grant, whom
he entertained Woodstock, and whom criticised In
The Independent After the Brooklyn election was over
Mr. Bowen and l. in friendly conversation, reviewed
these differences aud other differences growing out Of
my increasing heterodoxy Of religious belief After Two
or three friendly iDterobanges he expressed desire 10
become himself the sole editor OF The Independent tust
hs he the sole To this end he wanted me 70
transfer my pen the first page OF that paper as
special contributor while st the time he wanted
me 70 sign contract 70 edit The Brooklyn Unton for
the ensuing FIVE years The pecuniary inducements
which he held out commend this proposed change to
my mind were hstterng. consisting Of an income q
about 81 year and upward THIS arrangement took
legal and binding form By the ssning Of two contracts
between Mr Bowen and myself about the 10th Of De
eember 1870 Two days aerward 10 pursuance Of those
arrangements, The Independent, in publishing my vale
Sicorv accompanied IL with the following eulogy
retiring editor:
MR. BOWRx' TRIBUTE TO Mr.. IILTOS
fyos. TA< Independenf Dec. 2z 1870.
The proprietcr and publisher sod hereafter editor q
25e I,deDeadeat view Of the dlscon unuance OF Mr
oDs editorial relations TO this paper as lhdlceeo IA
tha obove yalectory s happy snnouBeo 10 the pub
c t1at this change u tbe fruit Of any pisunoor
sfandine bet geen HT Tlton aud himself. HIS retire
ment though involving masy regrets TO beth parties,
and sundering ofsdai tie which has always been
narked with the largest unutua coadsAee 10 based on
casons in the wisdom and proprety of which both are
slike agreed Mr. nhon has for the last seyep years
dsDeude doing great snd good work for the country
and the world uniformly writing the leader In Che
edtoral columns II the paper has been power among
tbe people, n It's utterances have Affected the policy OF
abe nation during the Dsr years OF our war; saa e0s