The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1874-08-12
Beeeher Makes a Disheartening Con-
:! ..I Syi..G fession. ..f-l.


effect that Beecher. when it was ascer-
tanned that Moulton would make full
statement to the committee, summoned to
his house General Tracy, Mr.. Shearman
and some Of the members of the commit
tee and made confession very disheart-
ening to.them; but when the disclosures
We're reported in the committee it was
resolved that inasmuch as they were COM
United to carry on an investigation, and
had been appointed by Beecher, they
could not withdraw until they had con-
cluded their work Then came the great
est care and sagacity in the continuance
of Beecher's defense. Before this COM
mittee had freely expressed their desire to
have Moulton's full statement now Il
change of tactics was called for
communication was had with Mr. Moul-
ton, and he was urged by all arguments
at their command to withhold all of his
statement, except such as would barely
meet the demands implied in Mr.. Til
tons published testimony. They urged
that only those points should be covered
which had already been made public, this
as it was reported it was, urged all that
Mr.. Moulton, as a gentlemen, having the
welfare of society at heart, could do the
course SO strongly urged on him by the
Committee.
MOultOn Comedies.
He conceded, it is understood. with
the tenor of the advice which he had re-
ceived previously from his counsellor and
friend, Gen. b. F. Butler. Mr.. Moulton
was for some time doubtful what course
to pursue. He had prepared full state
ment, comprising nearly 300 pages of
manuscript matter. On Saturday after
noon last he was still in doubt. That
night, however, he consented t0 revise
his statement, although ut the risk Of
putting himself at disadvantage before
the public This revised statement was
the one read last evening.
Substance of the Statement.
The Brooklyn Eagic sayo the follow
ing is the substance Of Moulton'S state
mcnt. 1t may be- relied on Ia correct, 80
far as II man with a tolerably good mem
Ory can reproduce. 1t Is reliable. be-
cause it came from member of the com
mlttee:
MOuItOn'S Statement.
Mr.. MOulton'S statement i uncXpcCt-
edly brief, making not more than five or
six foolscap pages not closely written.
Mr.. MOultOn says in substance that @ll
he knows about the difficulty between
Mr.. Beechcr and Mr.. Tilton was cntru,t-
ed him in confidence with all the docu-
mcnts he has been furnished relating
directly or indirectly to the case, and
that these documents were entrusted him
in confidence. He says that he has
known Mr. Titon since 1851 and
that he became personally acquainted
with Mr.. Beechcr in 1869, and mainly
through this case. Notwithstanding the
fact that he has the consent Of Mr..
Brccher and Mr.. Tilton to tell all he
knows about the case, and to furnish all
the documents he has in relation to it,
and the additional fact that he has been
twice summoned before the committee, he
saws that he cannot, in conscience, n a
man of honor, disclose any condolences
which have been placed in him. He
came into the case rs Il pcaccmak"r, to
settle it, and all that he has done has been
done in that direction. Without MS
knowledge, and against his wishes, Ger
tain documents connected with the case
have been published, mainly through Mr..
/. TiltOn, and in the statement made before
the committee SO many of the original
documents as he has copies Of, and which
have been made public, he feels under
obligations to place in the hands of the
committee, if necessary.
Mr.. MOuIton Had Copies Of All those
Documents Made,
and he handed these copies 10 the Com
mittcc. holding himself ready to produce
the originals when the committee de-
sired TO verify thom, beyond thi, Mr..
Moulton was not willing t. make amy
statement. nor did he feel himself justi-
fed in honor, or in conscience Ill produc-
ing any documents save those quoted by
Mr.. Tilton in his statement. Mr. Ilton
handed the committee hi, statement and
copies of documents quoted III Mr. Ill
lions communication.
Mr.. Mouton was thsn briefly eros
examined, and he maintained the same
position. he reiterated what was in hi
statement that if any attempt wa, mad"
to assail his position II, II friend OF h"lh
parties. or to question his honor, h'
mirht be under the necessity of making
further statement. but for the present
he contcntcd himself with furnishing the
committee with extracts of the copic, OF
the documents qout"d by Mr. Tllton.
The Bcecher Committee Again.
The Bcecher Investigating Committee
resumed its session this evening. Iw"
witnesses were examined, lady and Il
gentleman. whose names could not be
ascertaincd. About half hour after
these witnesses came out the committee
adjourned. They were A. retlcent rs
ever, and could not give an idea ~ t"
how much longer theinvestigatlon would
last nor the number of witnesses that
were vet 10 be examined. Several mem
hers of the committee has hazardcd tn"
opinion that Moulton'S statement would
not be made public till printed with a
full report of the committee. Mouit"n
WAS at his home all evening, but refused
AN audience with every visitor, and an
swercd all questions sent him by note
with the simple reply. Il can't LAY. II
+ is not known whether Mr.. Br"ch"r will
be before the committee t"-m"rr""
evening or not.