The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1875-07-03

what it is to-day. There were those who
believed Mr.. Beecher guilty and those
who hardly knew what to believe. These
two classes included the most Of people.
Those who were satisfied Of Mr.. Beecher's
innocence were not the numerous class.
To-day this condition Of public senti-
mcHt has been to noticeable extent re-
versed. Very many people who at first,
on the strength Of Mr., BGecher's letters,
believed him guilty, now either believe
him innocent, or else have very serious
doubts as to his guilt, 1t is not improba-
bic that tho jury have in the same way
changed their original status from ma.
iority against BeeCher to nine who are
either convinced Of his ipnocence or else
in doubt Of his guilt.
1t seems particularly unfortunate in
this remarkable trial that our American
Jurisprudence has not provided for yer.
dict such as the Scotch are in the habit Of
rendering when in doubt as to the guilt
or innocence Of party under trial, In
all such cases they simply bring in ver-
dict Of mot proven" They do not
condemn juryman to say on
his oath that man is limo
cent whom he strongly suspects Of
guilt, His verdict expresses his actual
state OF mind. lie simply says what
thousands of people would say to-day in
regard to Mr., Beecher, were the question
Of his guilt or innocence putto them
"not proven"
The developments since the trial closed,
growing out Of the Loeder.Price conSpi-
racy, have done much, and will do still
more in future, to unSettle the opinions
OF very many persons who up to this do
nouemGnt believed Mr.. Deecher guilty.
There seems to be no doubt that these two
villains were suborned to perjure them
selves in order to influence the verdict
against Mr.. BeGcler. The TACT that Judge
Nelson refused to open the ease in order
to admit this testimony showed that he
placed no reliance on 1t at1hc time. Aud
the additional fact that the aflida-
Wis Of T.oedcr and Price were
offered to the New York Times before
they were taken to the Herald, and de-
clined by that paper Us being in all prob.
ability bogus, shows what was thought Of
them in quarters where reliable news was
likely to bo appreciated, It Ia now
strongly suspected by very many people
that this conspiracy was the last despe-
rate attempt Of TiIton's partisans to stem
the tide Of changed and changing public
opinion.
1t Ia to be noticed in this mornings
dispatches that Judge Nelson was almost
morbidly solicitous to ascertain from the
jury whether the motion that had been
made to reopen tho case on the ground
Of this newly discovered evidence had
had anything to do with their failure to
agree. lie seemed particularly gratifed
when he was answered in the negative
by the foreman OF the jury. lie was
then ready to dismiss them. lie was
evidently very unwilling to let the re-
puted evidence have the slightest weight
on the minds of the jury.
Whatever else mny now come Of this ex-
traordinury trial, It Is not likely that the
case will be reOpcned in any shape
either In the way Of m application for a
new trial by Tilton's counsel, or in an nc.
ton for libel against any of the parties
to the prosecution. 1t is however not
improbable that some body more or less
prominent in the conspiracy will be arrest.
ed and tried. In fact there are rumors
this morning Of Moulton's intended ar.
rest, and hiS card delying "the minions
Of Henry Ward Beechcr," las he styles
thent) to arrest him will be found in
our dispatches. "Thc great Ameri.
can Witness" as Moulton has
been called, does not relish such
rumors. We think It likely that he feels
pretty badly discounted by the result
I
Of the trial just closed, and all the more
sensitive on that account to possible per.
sonal consequences As the case now
stands, while the result Ia not by any
means vindication Of Mr.. Beecher, II Ia
a.serious defeat for the prosecution.