New-York tribune., 1874-12-10


that he was in the city was known by only a few
personal friends of the Member from Essex."
When he left the Office he walked directly and as
hastily as his infrmites would allow The appears to
have lately been ilp to his carriage, and was then
driven to the Brooklyn Club house. Dis
missing his driver. he rung the clubhouse
bell, and then, evidently disappointed in
not meeting the object Of his search,
crossed to Mr.. Silmau's residence on the corner of
Clinton and pierrepont-sts number of reporters
stationed in front of the door, but the General
made his way through the crowd houtdeigningt to
bestow even a side glance of recognition right or
left IL the expression upon his saturnine features
was capable of Interpretation, it conveyed only an
idea of disgust with something somebody. The
General was evidently in bad humor. In MIR. Sllli-
mans parlOr he found Miss Edna Dean Proctor, the
complainant. ex-Judge Joshua Van COtt Gen. b. r.
Tracy, cx-Judge Fullerton Miss Proctors brother
Mr.. Sillman, and several lady friends OF the COM
plainant. Miss Proctor was attired in heavy black
velvet dress. ornamented with bead and lace work.
She appeared confident and reliant. and chatted
cheerfully with her female friends.
The first question discussed was the advisability
of admitting representatives, of the press. Gen. But
ler scowled, and said he did not see what
good purpose was to be subserved by max
ing the proceedings public 1t was In
his opinion no ones business but the par
ties to the suit. Upon being reminded that
40 much Of the case had already been made public
as to render further proceedings everybodys bust
ness the General again objected Miss Proctor did
not take the same view of the matter that Mr. But
ler did, and said she bad objection to admitting
reporters In fact she has insisted ever since the
settlement was arranged that, as the libel had been
given all the publicity possible the apology should
be as public and it said that she claimed that as
n.,l f.saoI Mo,,ltN 10 vnola
charge he should also do the apologizing.
Mr.. Silliman thought that better place
than his parlor for taking the evidence
could be had, and it was finally agreed
to adjourn to room in the United States Court
building on Montague-st. The party then left the
house in solemn procession, Gen. Butler and Judge
Fullerton, arm in arm, leading; next Gen. Tracy
and Judge Van Colt, Miss Proctor and her brother,
Mr. Chas A. Storrs and lady witness, and about
dozen reporters marching two abreast. Only the
absence of the corpse of the occasion robbed the
scene of its funeral aspect. AS it was it was so
solemn a procession that it attracted considerable
attention from passers, and when Gen. Butler was
recognized as chief mourner a motley crowd gath
cred upon the sidewalk in front of the United States
Court building for the purpose of getting glimpse
Of him. The Generals fine sense Of modesty was
shocked, and he scowled again. Once within the
building he seemed more at ease room on the
third floor set apart for the referee, and into
this the crowd of reporters poured.
There thought So" said tho General. pettishly.
you've got them all in now." Mr.. Tracy came to
the Generals and said that no reporters
would be admitted. reporter very mildly asked
Gen. b. Il. Butler If he would not consent to admit
one reporter from each paper represented. My
dear Sir" replied the General, 81 beg your pardon
but there are 1900 papers in the country" and was
aho to diecuasion what ha called the
utility of newspapers but the reporter whom he ad
dressed declined tho issue, aud 80 the General
stopped abruptly, placed cigar between his lips.
unmindful of the ladies present and stalked away
to another end of the room The reporters were then
excluded and Gen. b. f. Butler breathed easier. but
pulled his cigar moro violently. After about five
minutes discussion Gen. Tracy came to the door
and said that one reporter would be admitted. Gen.
B. +. Buffers voice from the inside was heard OBJ
jecting but Gen. Tracy continued to address the
reporters without any visible signs of agitation. An
arrangement was finally made by which the morn
ing papers were allowed report of the proceedings
At the left of the referee sat Gen. B. F. Butler,
leaning against a window with about two inches of
his cigar protruding from bis lips His aspect was
somber. but when he addressed Miss Proctor q
pleasanter expression overspread his rugged fea-
lures Miss PToctors answers were given in rapid
and somewhat indlstinct manner. When addressed
by Gen. B. +. Butler as "My darling" her face
flushed slightly, but in other way did she notice
what all present by their manner evidently con-
sidered an insulting familiarity on Buffers part.
Gen. Tracy opened the proceedings. His remarks
were made deliberately and impassionately. and it
was not until he touched the great wrong done
Miss Proctor that his metallic voice gave any
evidence of more than commonplace feeling. After
his opening Miss Proctor sworn, and told the al
ready familiar story of her business and personal
relations to Mr. Beecher, and detailed the circum-
stances under which she wrote the famous apoogetic
note to Mr. Beecher. which Moulton so fOully mis-
construed
After she had been examined at length the coun-
sel on both sides had a consultation. which lasted
about 10 minutes. Upon returning, Judge Fullerton
said that counsel on each side had agreed upon the
amount of damages to be given. This amount was
fixed at S4,375. This arrangement was accepted by
the referee and then Judge Fullerton stated that he
took pleasure saying that Miss Proctors charac-
ter had been vindicated. He did not believe, how
ever that under the circumstances which led to the
publication of his clients statement it could be con-
sidered libeous Miss Proctor accepted the decision
coolly, and was congratulated by her friends. Gen.
BF Butler appeared to be the only dissatisfied per-
son in the room.
A RETRACTION In OPEN COURT.
EXJUDGE EULlERION FOX NIX MOULION ADMITS
HE HAD NO PROOF OF HIS ASSERTIONS, PRO-
NoUNCRs THE LADY JUSTIFIED, AND ASKS A
REFEREE TO SETTLE THE DAMAGES.
The suit of Miss Edna Dean Proctor against
Francis d. Moulton came up before Judge Woodruff In
the United States Circuit Court Brooklyn yesterday
morning. The proceedings OF the day in the Court
began with incident chiefly interesting TO jurors and
particularly a number OF Jurors who absent,
since they will learn very that they have to
pay fine Of $3.50 for nonattendance when the roll