New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-03-19
CONTENTION OVER PLYMOUTH CHURCH
DENOpnS

CONTENTION OVER PLYMOUTH CHURCH
RECORDS.
Mr. Beecher's counsel began the day by intro
ducing new line of evidence apparently unex-
pected by their opponents. They called Mr.. Charles
Forester of the Post Office Department. He testi-
he'd that in 1872 tf~ Post-Ofce officials in this city
stopped the raIsi,..,.. If The Golden Age through
the mail. because copies of the Steinway Hall
speech of Mrs. Woodruff were iuclosed with the
copies of that paper The plaintiffs counsel ap-
pearcd relieved. however, when the witness ex-
planned on examination that the copies were
stopped for a short time the ground that the
speech inclosed with The Golden Age was transient
matter, and the postage should have been paid in
stamps.
James Gaylor who was a special agent of the Post
Office Department, testified that Mr.. Tilton came to
him at that time and claimed that the copies of the
speech were supplements to The Golden Age. but
offered in case they were held to be otherwise TO
pay the postage on them.
Mr. Halliday then resumed the stand and gave some
further conversations between himself and Francis
D. Mouton, in which that gentleman had repeated
ly asserted Mr. Beechers innocence; saying, among
other things: mir. Halliday. know all about tins
that any one knows and know that Mr.. Beecher is
Innocent and on another occasion: :" DO you sup
pose if Mr.. Beecher bad man would allow
him to sit here at my table with my wife, as guest
he frequently uoeS T. MI ildl'iuaS diSo S"NO
conversation with Mr.. Tilton, in 1873, in which MI
Triton had said NV case against Mr.. Beecher is
wholly irrespective of MY Wife"
The counsel for the defense then sought to intro
duce evidence Of the actions of the Examining Com
mittee Of Plymouth Church outside Of the records of
their meeting This was ruled out. The record
book was produced. and the witness questioned as
to the meetings. At this point, however, arose
another great discussion. the volume becoming a
eort Of bone OF contention between the plaintiff s
and defendants counsel. and fully an hour was
taken up in the efforts of each side to retain pos
session of it, Mr.. Sherman LETT it on the plaintiffs
desk for a moment and Mr. TiltOn picked it up and
began 10 turn over its pages Mr. Abbott glanced
nervously at the plaintiff, and whispered to Mr..
Shearman the fact. Mr.. Sherman continued his
argument; Mr.. Triton wents on with the record
book. Then Mr.. Shearman went to the plain
tit and took the book from him. But
the trouble began again Immediately after the
Mr. Fullerton was cross-examnng Mr.. Halliday.
Gen. Pryor and Mr.. TiltOn were having quiet in
yestgatiOn of the book which they had got possess
sion of by some means. Mr.. Shearman said he OBJ
iected to the plaintiffs locking at the records of
Plymouth Church. MI Fullerton replied by offering
the book in evidence Mr. Sherman protested again
AGAINST the plaintiffs reading them. Mr.. Fuller
Ton handed the book to the witness with q
question. Mr.. Sherman objected to this use
of the volume, ard advanced to take possession
of il Mr. FullertoG's shoulder stopped him, and the
large frame of the cTOss-eXaminer blocked the
way of his opponent TO the witness chair. lben
the quarrel over the book ceased for few
minutes during which Mr. Sherman declared that
hr Fullerton had insulted the cergymen and ladies
called by the defense witnesses. This Mr. Fuller
ton denied and called attention to the appearance
of Mr. HALLIDAY who was smiling most amiably as
n refutatiOn of the charge. Then the dispute over
fbe records broke out in q new form. Mr.. Shear
man was willing the plaintiffs side should use
them but insisted that his opponents should admit
that they had no right to them but were lOwed to
use them by his courtesy. The Judge YEARLY asked
Mr. Shear1nan to yield in courtesy to him. IF 1t is
courtesy to the Court, WILL" replied Mr. Shear
man. Then we are tenants of the records by the
courtesy" retOrted Mr.. Fullerton. while the laugh
went round But the dispute not ended, and
Judge Porter finally had to take part 10 the proceed
iDCs for The first time in several weeks i'll order to
restore peace.
The cross-ouestioning then continued. 1t ap-
peared that Mr. Halliday had advised the Examining
Committee not to prosecute the West charges as
first made against Mr.. Tilton. The witness had
recommended that Mr Tilton's name be dropped
from the roll of the church members. Capt. Dun
can. DIR. White, and Mr. Manchester had de-
sired that Mr.. Tilton should be prosecuted
on the charges. The witness was askeu
what advice he had given regarding the matter.
Mr Halliday frequently declared that he could not
answer categ ,lcally or without explaining. Mr..
Sherman raised objection to almost every questions
MI Beach was always ready in support OF his asso-
cate and the last hour Of the day was given up to
"sparriug" between the counsel. Dir. Beach
declared that Mr.. Sherman made farce
of the proceedings. The farce Is ON the
side that is ALWAYS trying to entrap the witness"
replied Mr. Shearman. THE farce will become
tragedy if brother Shearman doesn't cool his nerves
down" was Mr.. Fullerton's retort After some fur
ther discussion Mr. Fullerton vehemently declared
that be was determined to get at the advice which
Mr. Halliday had given in regard to the perfected
charges against Nr Tilton after the plaintiff
had waived his nOn-membership of the church.
This speech was received with applause by the audi
ence which had been rather disOrderly during the
afternoon. Mr. Halliday arose from the witness
chair saying. al would like to ask the Court
whether it has any impression that have been
unwilling TO give my testimony Not at ALL
answered Judge Nelson, and cut short the discus
sion between the counsel By adjourning the court.
NEW COMERS AND ABSENTEES.