The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1875-02-04
the TlLTON-BEECHER TRIAL.

The TlLIon-BEECHER TRIAL.
william f. West Teslifies to Beecner's
Anger al His Preferring Charges IN
Plymouth Church Against Tilton.-
Franklin Woodruff on the Stand.
In the Brooklyn city court yesterday !
(the 27th,) after recess ex-Judge Fuller
ton called VIM. I. West to the stand.
He said: | am cashier in bank IN New
York. and reside in Brooklyn. was IN
Plymouth church from 1870 to 1878, and
was member of the examining commit
tee. In 1870 Mr.. Beechcr requested to
be appointed committee of one to see
Mr.. Tilton, after the w oodhull biography
was published, and he was SO appointed.
Mr.. Reechcr reported to the committee
having seen Mr.. Tilton that he was IN
critical position; that he had many
troubles; had been surrounded by BAD
influences, and he thought Tilton should
be left to his friends, and no action taken
by the church. l called on
Beecher in November, 1872, and
informed him he had been
appointed one of the subcommittee to see
Tiiton in reference to his position IN the
Woodruff matter. Beecher replied he
was very busy then. but would meet the
committee in about three weeks. Mr..
Beecher said that this rested simply on
the words of that if any per-
son of responsibility made these attacks
would see how soon he should dispose OF
them. told him Tilton was responsible,
and that if he put forth these stories
should be expelled from the church. NO
card was published to my knowledge IN
the Golden Age denying these charges.
The next interview with Beecher was the
! 9th of June, 1873, when | made the
e charges against Tilton before the examln'
l. ing committee. The amended charges
e we're placed before the committee July
:. lst. 1873. When my charges were sub
: mitted to the committee Beecher said te
e me that was taking the right course, bu
n he thought this was not the proper time
i to submit the charges, as many
n or Tho members were ab
= sent in the country. Whcl
Bcecher spoke to me, his tone was angr.
a and threatening. Before | presented tn
q charges to the committee | told beeche
% their substance.
n Mr.. Fullerton read the charge prcferre
E. by West against Tilton before the com
mttee.
IN The witness continued: These charge
y were returned to me by the committee TO
At amendment. Mr.. Beccher had the sam
a. knowledge Of the amended charges as
al the former, leaving out the third specif
n, cation, The amended charges were rea
ba by Fullerton. The amended charge
were submitted to tho committee on II
IS ID of September, 1878. The committs
adopted the resolutions in the charge
e. Witness was asked the nature Of the re
su olutions, but the question was objected
by the defence. on the ground
had not been shown that Beech
or witness was present. Objection su
Of tanned. after brief argument. A series
questions which followed were also o
IN iected to, on the ground that Beecher VI
:. absent on the occasion referred to. RI
" lertor read the minutes of the commit
to containing the resolutions adopted by Il
es- committee. The witness continued
saw Mrs. Bradshaw. and showed her t
IN third specification in the charges.
'N' think this was in July or August, lo'
ads CONSTRAINED BY sHEARNAN.
md I remember at the interview WI
in Beecher. August 81, 1873, he said that
difficulties between him and Titon we
" buried. remember Beecher distinct
IL make report after his appointment
Tor a committee of one to see Illton. l thi
this report was made in the early part
ney November or December, 1871. do I
hes recollect that Beecher was present at
mr. meeting December !. 1871. There me-
was ANYTHING done in the matter of Tilt
ex- at public meetings OF the examining CO
SUNS mittee before the church.
0 for The witness was SHOWN .ns nliiN.s'
the committee, and after refreshing
memory, answered that beecher had
been appointed committee. but
post been informally directed to visit Tilt
axes He was also shown a pamphlet, but co
nueh not recognize it as The Life of Wet
, The Woodruff. He said read her life
n far the uews-s.ands. and heard i, tai
about.
Mr.. FRANKLIN WOODRUFF
was the next witness. He responded
came answer to Judge Fullerton: l al
member Of the firm Of " oodruf L
ssr~ iason. end partner of Moulton.
esen, member an interview At Tracy OF
alton between Moulton. Tracy. ana my
esen- We met in consultation in reference
denim matters growing out of this scandal.
,;. witness vas asked what took plae
with that interview, but this was objects
on the ground that Beecher Was no:
n an present. and long argument ensued
tilt A. n1cse..ut,on ar0n;nc
ute. Sounset Ao' - .-
,gsla- Is the proceedings = INC inse' ''s"