New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-04-15


charges against you when you gave up the retracon
A. I don't think that 1t took on that definite form;
thought that trouble might from tho knowledge OF
such charge having made hut do not know that
definitely thought 1t would through that any
other channel
O. Let me read to you DO you remember this-l Read
ingl:
prehend,d that this charge was made by him" made
by him. it should be. Of course-and supported by the
me- and il IL was. had nothing but my simple word Of
denial to interpose against H.
Do you remember that A. do not.
O. viii you look at It, and see if-lHandng book to
wncss-Dd you not say that when accounting for the
condition which you were on the 3lst December 1870,
and the LIST Of January, 1871 A. Very likely; but
do not recall 1t now Sir; till refresh my memory.
O. Well, refresh. A. [After looking at the book.l
presume that this IL so, Sir.
O. Is it true then that anticipating that your enemy
might renew his attack you up your shield Of de-
fenscf A. This Is
O. And gave up for that reason A. This Is an ac-
count Sr-purports be account OF my feeling the
next day.
O. On the LIST Of January A. On the lat OF January
O. The next dayi A. The next day; yes.
O. We'll, so I understand it. A. Yes; thought you
were speaking still Of the 31st
WHY MR. BEECHER TRUSTED MR.. MOULTON.
@. Well, | ask you again, MIR. Beecher,
whether regarding 1t prObabe-I will say even an
ticpating your part that tho charge might be re-
ncwed did you consent to give up your defense A.
consented to change my of defense, and to have
that document kept by faithful friend on his word OF
honor to be used If II should be necessary so that
should have the document and the friend also.
O. And you chose the intimate personal friend OF Mr.
TiltOn one with whom you had very slight acquaint-
ance to be the custodian of those papersi A. chose
% - Tho hnaf rma N
City Of NewYork whom had several occasions
and believed to be very cultivated literary man, as well
az business man. whose wife member Of my church,
and whom thought to be good man, true and honor
able.
O. You did not then SUPPOSE did you, that he knew OF
the OF the charge against you3 A. Idon suppose
that had any thought about that.
O. Didn't you regard 1t as important to ascertain
whether Mr.. MoutOn that time did understand the
nature Of the charged A. Whether thought 1t i'm
portant or not we did not 60 into that subject.
O. Mr. Moulton was not a member OF your church !
A. He was not.
O. Well why didn't you select some other person. some
more intimate friend member Of your church. TO
the custodian OF that paperi A. did not select any
bOdy-I did not select anybody.
O. Why didn't you deposit 1t in the hands, then OF
some other person with whom you more acquainted
A. He was the person that presented himself to me ana
seemed to me as tit as any person that could nave
selected.
O. Now Mr. Beecher had you at that time come to any
conclusion to how much Mr. Moulton knew in regard
to the nature OF the charges which Mr. Ton had pre-
ferred against youf A. I did not know how much he
knew the very correspondence that he brought showed
that he must have had knowledge OF IL. but did
not ask him what his-the degree OF his knowledge or
the history OF II were.
O. Did YOU rest under the impression that Mr.. Mouton
believed the charge which Mr. Tlton had made against
youi A. don't recall that matter.
O. Well, Mr.. MOutOn, you say, was very worthy ana
respectable gentleman and member Of one OF the
largest firms in Brooklyni A. Yes, Sir; in Ncw-York
O. Did you not think it OF some consequence That yon
should vindcae yourself in his mind II he were ac-
1uainted with those gross charges against your a.
did not.
O. Well why didn't you ask him-why didn't you say,
"Mr. Moulton, do you know about ths business
and what do you believe I'm regard to myself 40 That you
might vndicate yoursefi A. did not do it what were
the special reasons acting that time which led Inc not
to do it I cannot recall.
O. Well you anxious, OF course, to secure and en-
10y his good opinion, you mott A. had the same
anxiety that have toward you. prefer your good
opinion to your bad, and would his but In this matter
he presented himself to me
O. Well, understand that, know he presented him
self.
Mr. Evarts-t is question Of general reasoning in the
witnesses mind why he did not do certain thing now
if he cannot be allowed to answer
Judge Neilson-The witness has right to assign the
reason called for, undoubtedly.
Mr. FullerionThc simple question was whether ne was
not an xious to have Mr.. Moultons good opinion
Mr. Evarts-They are not inquirng as to any external
fact at ALL but are trying get at the operations OF his
mind.
Judge NeisOn-Yes.
Mr. Eyarts-And then where the witness tries to give
them the operations the interpretations or whatever
there was in the matter in his mind why they say that IL
is not an answer to the question. His mind does not
operate as the crOss-examiners mind operates Every
mans mind operates its way, and you must deter
mine. before you undertake to fathom mans mental
operations whether you will take his answer or not
Mr. FulIerton-well, / have determined that, and
have got his answer, and don't want anything more
have got everything that is an answer to the question
Mr. Beach-Mr Evarts is not reasoning from the ques-
ton put to the witness.
Mr. Fulertou-That is his difficulty with that discus
sion.
Mr. Eyarts-I will take care Of my difficulty. Your diff
6cuy il the precise inquiry put the wtnessOne say
the witness has a right to answer.
Mr.. Fulerton-wel / say / do not interrupt a proper
answer
Mr.. Evarts-It ia question OF fact.
Mr. FulertOn-And my word goes as far upon that
question Of fact as anybody elses
Judge NeilsOn-The witness has right 10 state any
thing that is in any degree responsive to the question
Mr. Flerton-Certainy he has, but he has no right to
20 into a long discourse that subject
Mr. Evarts-The question Of length has nothing to do
whit You have asked him the operations Of his mind
il il takes half hour give them you must take them
Mr.. FullertOn-I asked him whether he was not
anxious to secure and enjoy the good opinion Of Mr.
Moulton; that s simple question, and neither the elo
auence Of the witness Of his counsel change the
nature Of the question nor Of proper answer.
Judge NeilsOn-It is very pointed question.
Mr. Fullerton-Yes, Sir, and it admits of yes or no.
there is no doubt about that
Judge Neilson-we you say has been answered SUI
fiienty.