New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-04-23
THE ALIBI ON JUNE 2, 1873.

Henry NJ Cleveland, having sufficiently recovered
from his illness to be able take the stand. was the
eecond witness. He looked quite emaciated and
was very nervous He carried q cane, upon which
he leant while sitting in the witness chair and sew
sral times drank from q small bottle OF medicine
placed near him. Several times, when closely pressed
with questions on the cross-examnation his nervous
prostration became painfully apparent; he would
press his hand toThis brow, and was only able to
answer by a strong effort of the will. The direct
examination was conducted by Nj. Sherman.
Mr. Cleveland stated that he was connected
with the paper firm of II. G.. Hurlbut & Co. Of No.
13 Beekman-st., New-York. His business connec-
lion with The Christian Union and Mr.. Beecher
reased after Jan. 1, 1874. He had known Mr. Til
ton 10 or IL years, and Mr.. Beecher 10 years. He
became member of Plymouth Church in 1850. He
was intimately acquainted with Mr.. Beecher. The
main clement of Mr.. Cleveland's testimony was a
direct contradiction of the alleged interview be-
iween Mrs. Moulton and MI. Beecher On June 2
1873. He swore that On that day he had an inter
view with Mr.. Beecher between and II o'clock in
the morning at The Christian Union Office in New
York and that Mr.. Beecher directed him to address
letters to him in care of Bgelow & Kennard in BOs-
ION. The same afternoon on returning to Brooklyn
he purchased an Eagle containing Mr.. BeecheTs card
Of that date He did not see Mr.. Beecher again
meeting The Rev. W. II. II. Murray of Boston
preached in Plymouth Church ON the Sunday follow
jug June 2, and Mr.. Beecher was not present
The cross-examination of Mr. Cleveland was con-
Quoted in very deliberate manner by Mr.. Morris
Mr.. Morris held in his hands copy of the testimony
Of Mr.. Cleveland taken several days ago at his
house in anticipation of his being unable to attend
as a witness i'll court. The witness was questioned
very closely about his knowledge of the tripartite
covenant. He said that he told Mr. Carpenter, when
at Mr. Beechers request, he took him to a confer
ence with Mr. Bowen in relation to the scandals in
circulation in 1873, that if stories affecting Mr.
Beechers moral character repeated the trparte
covenant would be published. The circumstances of
Mr.. Clevelanfs taking the covenant to newspaper
office on May 30, 1873, exhaustivey considered.
The names of the persons spoken OF AZ members OF
Che Investigating Committee in 1874 were stated
and restated by the witness who had great difficulty
IN recollecting them all. Mr.. Cleveland testified
positively that prior to the afternoon OF
June &c, when he was named rs a men,
Der of the Committee, Mr.. Beecher had not
addressed him with reference to the subject
of the On that afternoon he did speak
10 him about it. The work of the Investigating
Committee was also subject of inquiry, Mr.. Morris
saving that lie proposed to show that there was a
conspiracy TO induce Mrs. Tilton to leave her home.
Mr. Cleveland made several assertions that did not
seem TO be in accord with bis statements on his ex
animation at his house, but explained that his for
,ner statements incorrect, inasmuch as he was
then on his back with illness and he desired to cor
rect them.
Some very pointed questions were asked about the
appearance before the Investigating Committee OF
Mr. Richards. the brother of Mrs. TiltOn who re-
Gently testified on behalf of the plaintiff. MIR.
Cleveland said that Mr.. Richards had not been ex-
nInined A persistent effort was made, under many
objections from Mr.. Sherman, to learn from the
witness why the Committee had not examined Mr.
Richards Judge Nelson would only allow the wit
mess to testify concerning his own knowledge.
Nothing of Importance was developed, Mr. Cleveland
sAying that he only knew generally that MI Richards
had nothing to say.
In reference to Mr. Cleveland's visit TO Boston in
the Fall Of 1874 some new facts were brought ONT
81 appeared that he had carried with him docu-
ment signed by Mr.. Beecher giving him full author
tity to hear and determine in his behalf al matters
Whatsoever relating to the scandals about Mr.
Beecher This document was introduced in evil
dence by Mr.. Morris. Mr.. Cleveland said
1t wa his credentials to Mr.. Redpath OF
Boston to hear anything that he might
have TO say about the scandal. Some
kilograms part of them in Latin, relating TO tins
visit of Mr.. Cleveland to Boston ar Mr.. Beecbers
agent were introduced but not proved, as Mr. CleNe
land wa taken from the stand few minutes before
The hour of adjournment In order to allow the de-
Tense to introduce another wtnees-Jame L. Little
aphyGeisp, Of No. 286 West Forty -seeondst., New