The Portland daily press., 1874-07-27
THE GREAT SCANDAL.
Much Gossip, Few
Facts.
STATEMENT OF MRS. TYLTON'S
MOTHER.
TiltOm's Cross Examination.
One of Til,on,s Friends tell. a Story.

NEW York. July 15.-One of Mr.. Tilton's
intimate friends. in a conversation with re-
porter, remarked Oh the absurdity of the
charge that Mr.. Titcn was Pursuing Mr..
Beecher vindictlvely This gentleman said
that just the opposite was the fact and that he
could produce excellent evidence of it. On the
reporter inquiring what this evidence was, this
gentleman narrated the following circum-
stance:
immediately after the publication of Mr..
I1lton's letter to DR.. Bacon, Mr.. Beecher, by
advice of his friends, announced the policy o f
silence. Gen Tracy, his present counsel stated
publicly in the Brooklyn Press that he was
glad of this publication of Mr.. Tilton's letter.
Mr.. Beecher permitted an editor of the Boston
Globe to say that he (Mr Beecher) did not
blame Mr.. Tilton for writing the letter. AT
that time the effect likely to be produced
by the letter did not seem to be more than a
passing stir of comment, exciting attention
one day and forgotten the next; but the public
curiosity was so great to know what the offence
was that Mr. Titon charged, and what the
apology contained in the unpublished portion
OF it, that Mr. Beecher and his friends were
forced to consider the necessity of some reply.
In Mr.. Beecher's behalf Gen. Tracy held sew
eral interviews with Mr.. Tilton, with view, if
possible, to unite Mr.. Tilton and Mr. Beeeher
in joint statement to the public, or according
to another plan, with view to put forth for
Mr.. Beecher an offence which might seem ade-
necessarily involve Mr.. Beechers criminality
Statement OF Oliver johnson
The Tribune says that Oliver johnson was
before the committee, and gave them salts
factory explanation Of the letter written by
him to Tilton, June 4, 1873. He also related
an interview he had with TitoD in 1870, in
which, for the first time, he told him his griev-
ances against Beecher, which were that Beech
er had alienated him in his business relations
but that there was not the sill htest allusion, at
that time. to any charge of adultery against
Beecher.
Unfortunate for T'iIton.
Victoria Woodhull's arrival and entrance
into the arena as champion of Tilton is regard
ed on all sides as calculated to seriously damage
his case.
General Gossip.
Mr.. Hill, one of the counsel of Beecher, states
that tie mother of Mrs. Tilton testified before
the committee last night, after Oliver johnson.
Mr.. Tracy, the other lawyer of Beecher, says
that Mrs. Logan and a Mr. Forbes also testified
Subsequently they told another reporter that
TiltOn's wife had testified and had denied in de-
tail all the allegations of her husband. Mr.
Beecher left for Peekskil this morning. His
counsel says his testimony will be given orally,
and it is not probable that he will be examined
until Moulton has made his statement.
AT the Plymouth Church prayer meeting last
night prayer was offered in behalf of Mr.
lieved TIE trials of Mr.. Beecher would in the
end work out a glorious benefaction for him
and the church.
TiIton Interviewed.
The Herald published an interview yesterday
with Theodore Tlton, who, ia answer to the
question if he intends to carry warfare into
other families than his own, said that depends
entirely upon Gen. Tracy. If that is part of
his plan of battle l am ready to meet it. If
ladies names are to be mentioned in connec ton
with mine, can only retaliate counter-charge
of other names. l have no desire to do it, God
knows it is no part of my plan of BATTLE aud is
certainly not necessary for my case; and
should think it would be scarcely necessary for
Mr.. Tracy's."
''In this case,' said the reporter ''there is a
threat of the courts. see, and even that of
criminal procedure"
Ready for it," promptly replied Mr. Tilton,
u think there would be great wis om 10 remov-
ing the enquiry to some tribunal that could
compel the attendance of witnesses and take
their evidence on oath The present committee.
although composed OF very worthy and honor
able men, has no such power. | say again am
ready to meet this charge in open court any
time. If | am lbeer L am a transgression to
the laws of the state
In further conversation with Mr. Tltop. he
reiterated, 81 have other proofs of adultery of
Mrs. Tilton than her confession, and those
proofs so positive so direct, that the production
alone will be TO those who meet then silent
witness that will be worse than death TO these
who challenge their production
rs there any chance of a compromise in this
matter, Mr.. Tilton.'
81 think not. The time has gone by for that.
have been approached in that direction very
lately hincc this investigation beganj may say
since my statement has been before the COM
mittee- In answer to your question may say
have gone further, and have suggested a
mode Of settlement that think would effectu-
ally stay the present public excitement Ii may
yet be accepted scarcely think it will
though.
Have you any idea as to what Mr.. Moulton' s
course will be?''
Ar have not, except that I am sure he
will speak the truth or adopt some honorable
way of avoiding the speaking of it. / have a
very strange nature. L sometimes wish it was
very different one. That nature has prevent
ed my asking Mr. Moulton anything about the
course he intends to take. [ am represented as
cold, pitiless and heartless This is all on the
surface. l am proud and have a very strong
will. This it is that impels me on in this course
unrelenting and memorable apparently. L can
not help it.
Should the committee render in favor of Mr..
Beecher "a very probable result), may ask
you, Mr.. Tllton, what will then be your course
Il shall commence an action for divorce.
What can do otherwise should like to know
in the present conditions Of this terrible
trouble
Interview with Nlr. Sage.
The World says in reference to the private
interview which Mr.. Sage, chairman of the in
vestigation committee, had with Mr.. Tilton
Friday, it has been ascertained the meeting
was arranged to see if the investigation could
not be brought to close by the withdrawal of
the charges. Tuesday afternoon Mr.. Tilton
said to the committee, This matter must not
go on any further. 1t must be dropped if it
can be dropped now" They said this could be
arranged if he would only withdraw the
charges and write statement to be given to
Mr.. Beecher that the charges were false anil
had arisen under misrepresentation. He said
he would consider the matter and the interview
asked for. Nothing was done, however, by
him at that interview to carry out such an ar
raEgement, and thus the matter rests.
Reporter-l understand the committee is in
possession of copy of the statement prepared
by Tilton the day after his reconciliation with
his wife, statement exonorating Beecher,
praising his wife and more especially praising
himself?
Answer-Yes, there is suclla document am
told, but we have not seen it. Oar counsel
has, however, and the purport of it was to ex-
onerate BeecheI fully.
Testimony of Mrs. Tiison's Raosl,sr.
New York, July 26-The World publishes
the testimony of Mrs. Morse, mother of Mrs
Tilton, before the investigating committee Fri
udV uiSuG. L Ne lauy 5 statement naQ no ma
terial bearing on the more important points in
volved in the investigation, but was wholly
confined to the nature of the domestic unhap-
plness that had sprung up between husband
and wife. She said that shortly after the mar
rage Of her daughter to Mr.. Tilton, domestic
difficulties arose between them in consequence
of Mr.. Tilton's peculiar tendencies to believe in
and practice queer doctrines. Mrs. Morse tes-
titled that Mrs. Tilton had come to her many
times with bitter complaints of her husband
actions. She complained that her domestic
happiness was becoming completely destroyed
by the introducing to her home through the
agency of Mr.. Tilton, of people and partcu'
larry women with free love doctrines and other
strange socialistie beliefs. Mrs. Tiiton had re-
peatedly told ner that among the number were
some women who had reached unfortunate
prominence from the practice of such doctrines
and that Nj. Tilton likewise believed in the
doctrine they preached. On many occasions
Mrs Tilton had come to her broken down in
spirit, declaring that her lot was was unendur-
able, saying that her house had become Place
of resort for people of this class. Notwith-
landing Mr.. Tilton was repeatedly importuned
to do so, he refused to change his course.
Mrs. Morse spoke of the continued i'll treat
ment to which Mr.. Tilton had subjected hi,
wife, during nearly the whole of their married
life.
Early yesterday morning Mrs. Morse in com
in Montclair.
The Enfirnaeies.
The World also gives the following extract