The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-02-11
Sharp Passages Between Mr.. EVartS
and the Witness.
BESSIE TURNER ONCE MORE
Explanation Of the Winsted
Bit Of Scandal.
Mrs. TiltOn "Pure as Gold
and True as Light"

A long seesav cross examination developing
oarnful OF chan and an in1nteslmal measure OF
grain, a crowded court room, pleasant light and
atmosphere, trifle more color in the ladies' hats
and shawls, and female lace fresh and ravlsning,
were among the features OF yesterdays sitting Of
the Court In the trial ofTilton Beecher. The pro-
eeedings hold their fascination still. There have
Deen greater trials, but none so attractive as THIS
No juryman has iallen asleep, seats have been
Tacant, and yet the round OF the days business
mas many a time been dreary as the reading OF
country newspaper. Almost all That has been
developed IN evidence was anticipated In the huge
publications OF last summer, and the interest that
still remains Ia
THE oFT-ToLD TALE,
though phenomenal. admits or easy explanation.
Tne climax that never comes is daily hoped for.
The something nj sterious that Is to transcend all
PRIOR reveaments aud confound listening
world is on the point OF being disclosed and
is ever withheld. 'Man never is but always to
be blessed" This charm OF suspense crowds the
court every morning OF five days IN the week,
ana Will continue to do so to the very end.
THE PARADoXEs.
Great in the character OF the principals 10 the
action, and Ia Its scope. influence and conse-
Guences this trial will IN any way be remembered
as embracing bewtderiug chain OF paradoxes.
Foremost Is the theory OF T1lton's that one or
the two necessary to the crime OF adultery can be
"pure as light and true as gold" Equally puzzllng
IS the Beecher theory that 1.-THE physical express
sion OF love" means no more than tue action OF
the hand in tie inscription OF note Of affection.
TRUE AS GOLD.
For over twoscore times the witness reiterated
his faith in the purity OF his wife. Yesterdays
eross-examination, taking a retrospective step,
brought up the records OF the Plymouth church
investigation. Page after page OF Tliton's testi-
mony was read in which the avowal OF
belief In the purity and innocence or Mrs.
Tilton was made in varying forms and
with lack OF positiveness. The witness
without swearing to the exactness or the words,
Affirmed that they contained substantially his
convictions, not alone then but now. "She MRS.
Tlltop) is true as gold and pure as light" This
was his sentiment ALWAYS and remains so still.
Mr.. Evarts laid aside these admissions with
look OF salts action. What better material could
he provide Tor his final appeal TO the jury. Ii she
De pure as gold and true as light' as the witness
swears she is now as well as then, where Ia the
BIN? II transcendentaism In love eliminates the
soul from the body, holds the one irresponsible Ior
the vagaries or the other, there not be
impartial consideration Tor both sides 2 lis not
Beecher pure as gold and true as steel ?" Has he
erred iota the moral Impulses OF his nature?
Is this 10 be the reasoning OF the deiencef Is
Tiltonis theology to be converted into shield to
save Beecner ? Snail the engineer get hosted by
Ais own petardS
NEAR THE END
The cross-examinatlon now near Its close, and
will probably end to-day. IL has been extremely
volumlnous. IL Is In parts very interesting,
though the bulk or the disclosures have been an
ticipated.
THE SPECTRE OF Woodruff
moved again uueasily across the boards. There
was mystery somewhere. The ears OF the listen
something startling Is about to come" Ques-
tons, piled Pelion on Ossa, were thrown out by
counsel TO achieve one simple reply, "Did Tllton
Spe1o three days In July, 1871, in the company OF
Mrs. WoodhullS"
The minds OF the audience we're actively at
WORK to iathom the point OF the inquiry. The WITT
ness collected himself. He seemed to feel he
On slippery groand-that a trap lurked behind the
questlon-and he threw his head back for mo-
ment, as II to catch the purpose OF the counsers
persistency In seeking an answer. No, he did
not spend three days with her, or he should have
remembered 1t. He spent part OF one day and
that was In the company OF her husband and her.
seL The scent for scandal was disappointed and
the atmosphere grew pure again.
THE LIGHT or HEAVEN.
In the afternoon, through the pale yellow blinds
On the south side OF the room, the SUMS
rays streamed IN TO a glad welcome. Mr.. Beech
er's lace underwent a change. His eyes created
the sunlight, aud for moment he seemed to for
get all his surroundings and hail as narbinger
Of victory and peace this cheerful messenger Of
Heaven. More contained, resigned anI even
cheerful appeared the distinguished preacher. He
burst into q broad laugh when Evarts chucklIng
with mIrth, informed the Judge in reply to the
question If he would close the cross.examinaton
before recess that 1t depended on how long recess
could be postponed.
THE LADIES
sit in silence through the proceedings. Hardly
word escapes their lips. They feel CONSCIOUSNESS
that eavesdroppers are Ia their neighborhood.
They are growing weary OF the long vigil. Their
eyes wander little. They look straight out across
the heads before them, and listen mechanically.
lady OF uncommon beauty sat demCrely in the
rear OF the regular female phalanx.
NEARLY ROW.
In the course OF his crossexamin alton Mr..
Evarts, by the rlgd formula he imposed upon the
witness In his answers clearly attempted gagglng.
He asked the witness II he showed paper called
"The True Statement" to Dr. storrs. The answer
was required to be yes or no; Dut here was
aperplexlty that demanded relief The witness
moved paper TO Dr. storrs which was only the
pasis OF "rne True Statement but the full
paper itself he had shown. The difficulty
Of answering in a monosylable, without causing
misconcepton, was apparent Mr.. Beach came
TO Titou's assistance and appealed to the Court.
Mr.. Evarts continued speaking while Mr.. Beach
attempted to make himself heard. At last the
latter turned SHARPLY on the former and said,
with bitterness. "You must not try TO interrupt
me,u while his face nusned crimson ana MS eye
glanced q savage lire ct ms opponent " was ~
bref incident, but II was greatly enjoyed py the
audience.
ON THE BENCH.
District Attorney WnslOw. member or the
Beacn Committee OF Investigation, occupied u
seat beside the Judge during the morning session.
He Is a isrge-neaded, massive-iaced man, with a
strong, projecting nose, IKE the ubutment ol
stone bridge; vel cut mouth and calm ox'
preston OF eve. He listened attcntivey, qua ap-
sininen from interruptIng the watcnful attention
o. the JudRe.
Tue EVIDENCE.
Mr.. Tilt0n TOOK nis seat lew minutes alter
steven 0'cocs and Dir. Evarts resumed MS cross.
EXAMINATION by handing witness letter dated