New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-05-04
A SENSATION IN COURT.
MRS. rrLroN DEMANDS A HEARING

MRS Triton DEMANDS A HEARING.
One of the most dramatic scenes of the trial, and
the only one which has relieved the monotony OF Its
latter days. occurred at the opening OF yesterdays
session. and was evidently surprise to all except
one or two of Mr.. Beechers lawyers. Mrs. IIIton
had come into at the usual hour accompanied by
Mrs. Field aud Mrs. Ovington, and had seated herself
in her usual place to the right and little apart from
the Plymouth Delegation, which was out again in
force Indeed the court room was unusually filed,
particularly with ladies' some of whom stood peer
ing through the doorway leading to Chambers, and
one of whom brought opera glass which che
leveed at all the principal characters of the trial
drama The court had no sooner been organized
than Mrs Tilton, rising like apparition in her
place, and facing His Honor cried out In her low
voice, little tremuous from embarrassment
a. Judge Nelson
The Judge heard without distinguishing her, and
looked around if to discover whence the call had
proceeded. when his attention was called TO- Mrs.
TiltOn by Mr.. Tice, a spectator who sat near, and
who repeated her call. at the time pointing to-
ward her Mrs TiltOn observing that she had the
Judges attention, again spoke up saying
"YOur Honor, l have a communication which
hope your Honor will read aloud'
Judge Nelson asked Nr. Evarts to attend to the
matter. The envelope held by Mrs. Tilton was
given TO him, and he, remarking that it was ad-
dressed to the Judge, passed it to Judge Nelson,
who, after reading the communication, said:
Mrs. Tilton, this matter viii be considered
deliberately
As soon "A Mrs Tiltons voice had been heard,
hush had fallen upon the audience, and every eye
had become fixed upon her slight figure, the only
one standing in the center of the rOOm Her face
flushed little when she perceived the general at
tention which she had attracted. Her husband. sit
- of 1ar holf I'm IA
when he heard his wifes voice, but did not look at
her. His counsel naturally turned and looked full
upon her, as did also Mr. Beechers and necks on the
bench behind the Judge were stretched forward.
The full contents of the communication were not
made public. all parties to the suit declining TO give
a copy for publication. Judge Nelson said that the
matter was to which he felt he ought to give the
utmost deli beration. Notwithstanding the request
of Mrs. TiltOn that il be read aloud he felt COM
PEELED at least for the present TO consider
1t as a confidential communication, and even should
Mrs Tilton consent to its immediate publication by
him he should decline to give copy for publication
at once. He said the matter would be considered
to-day and possibly il both counsel for Mr.. Tilton
and Mr. Beecher consented and Mrs. hilton insisted,
ii might be made public.
Me Evarts when questioned about il said that it
was matter between Judge Nelson and Mrs. Til
ton, and he did not feel at liberty TO say anything
relative to it. copy of the document was handed
TO him aud retained for the present.
Mrs. TiltOn was found at the house of Mrs. Owing
ton but from illness and weakness, superinduced by
the mornings excitement, she had lain down, and
communication with her was had only through Mrs.
OvingtOn. The latter stated that the action OF
Mrs Tilton had been wholly unexpected
by the friends who accompanied her to
Court Mrs Tlton sent word in reply TO
the application for a copy of the document that she
could not give it until the lawyers Of Mr.. Beecher
had consulted upon the subject Mrs. OvingtOn said
that she would probably hear from Mr.. Shearman
after the consultation which daily follows the adj
iournment of court, and give a more definite reply
then.
Ex,Judge John X. Porter Mr.. Tracy, Mr.. Shear
man. and Mr.. Abbott, of Mr. BeecheTs counsel,
were found in consultation by the reporter when he
left Mrs. Ovington's residence. Mr.. Tracy stated
that the subject was not under consdsrs-
ton by the counsel, that Mrs. Tuton's
action was without advice from them, and
that they knew nothing of her intention. She had
given copy of the letter Mr. Evarts at the same
time that she handed the original to the Judge, by
the hands of Mr.. Evarts, and this copy Mr. Evarts
had taken away with him. The counsel OF Mr.
Beecher could not of course, make the letter public
1t would be contempt of court.
The contents of the letter will probably he made
known to-day. 1t is understood that 1t embraces
first an appeal on Mrs TltoDs part to the Court to
be heard in defense of her own character second,
protest against the injustice of the failure OF either
side to call her and third solemn and pathetic as
sertion of her innocence of adultery.