New-York tribune., 1875-01-19
MIR MnrITON UNDER FIRE.

simpcity of the first questions must have reassured
lim for they related to his age and business. Ex-
Judge Porter has an erect. sOder-hke figure, black
hair and mustache ruddy checks and pleasant
though positive features. His spectaces are rarely
Ell hs face although he has a habit of pushing
them from their normal position 10 the higher plane
Of the forehead When he rises he folds bis arms
across his breast, and with sidelong glance
at the witness puts the question in tone which is
a. soft a. IL is deep. His manner soon puts wit
mess off his guard. His courtesy is never lost for an
Instant Even when has voice swells with emotion
OF with repressed indignation there is a return to
the measured tones Of cviGty before the nterroga-
tion point Is reached. The contrast between him
and MIR Evarts in cross-examination is very marked
Mr.. Rvarts had an opportunity last week for discon-
certng Nv Moulton and his method was very differ
ent from his colleagues. The questions dro ped
from his lips thick and tast, and the intensity OF his
manner the earnestness Of his mien, and the under
tone Of scorn in his voice combined to heat aud agi
tate the witness Ex-Judge Porter carries the man-
pers of the drawing-rOom into court He neither
browbeats nor worries his witness. His manner,
though earnest and impressive. does not strike
terror into the soul. But the witness who fancies
that he is to escape from the rack because the in
suistors voice is soft and caressing and his manner
rnooth and cordial soon finds that there is grip
Of iron under the velvet paw.
M MOulton, through prOtracted experience in
tho witness chair has lost much Of the nervousness
which characterized bis first appearance before the
audience; but some of it returned when the fine
irony of ex-JudGe Porter's first reference to the
functionsof mutual friend" drew a smile to the
faces Of the auditors. ExJudge PorteI's method of
sross-examination may be termed cumulative in its
eject. lie leads up TO vital point through long
series of minor questions His first point was
"a OF hun1re1 uuaaflODs had been
asked The vital question substantially
this: THE inception of your friendship for the
Rev. Henry Ward Beeoher was on that stormy
night when you heard that he debaucbed your
friends wife, and ta termination was at the time
when you refused him access TO the letters by which
he wished to defend himself against foul charge ~
This was the last round in q long ladder, and when
was reached every one III court saw how effective
was the climax
Dir. Moulton insisted at the outset that he had
never denied to Mr.. Beecher or to his agent, Gen.
Tracy. access N the scandal literature during the
early stages of the Plymouth Church Investigation.
BE kind enough TO refresh your recollection" said
The counsel in his blandest manner, handing to
fhe witness a book containing the state
nents Of the various actors in the controversy.
Dir. Moulton then described an interview which be
lad last Summer with Gen. Tracy, his voice rising
rs il always does when he refers 20 Mr.. Beechers
counsel ExJudge Porter referred TO the second de-
fnand for the papers intrusted to Mr. MOultOn aud
the reply 10 Mr. Beechers letter read with splen-
did emphasis. sidelong gances at the witness ac-
cOmpanying the fine irony of the counsePs manner
Mr.. Moulton evidently was nettltd bv the manner
n which the business-hke communication which
be dashed off last Summer on his return from
karragansett Pier was interpreted, and his
hrtabilty soon manifested itself The
fHa
mutual friend of both these men at that time v
"As friendly to one as to the ether" be rel )ined.
"Had he ever wrongod you 7" Except when he
asked me TO lie for hiIn." You did lie for him 7"
"Yes" 1--WE have your word for it," said ex-Judge
Porter, with freezing sarcasm.
Mr. MoultOns next reply was that he had furnished
10 copies of any of the documentary evidence to Mr.
T1lton prlor to the hour when Mr. Beecher demanded
the letters. The rctraction which Mr.. Beecher sur
rendered 10 him was not dictated TO Mr. TltOn, and
he did not know that Mr.. Tilton had copies. Did
YOU ever dictate to Mr.. TiltOn 7" asked the coun-
sel in his smooth manner. Il swear that did not"
was the quick reply Mr.. Tilton and his counsel
glanced af each other uneasly at this point for Mr.
NoultOn on dangerous ground inaSmuch as hr.
Hlton. in his examination before the Investigating
Committee. had admitted that he had taken short
hand notes of all tue letters which appeared in his
first statement and which, he said, Mr.. houlton
sead TO him Then again. Mr.. MoultOn himself on
Thursday last, had. in answer to Mr.. Evartss ques
s1ons acknowledged that be had dictated from
memory 10 Mr. Tlton the letter Of nation which
Mr. Reecher had shown to him. Mr.. Beach sprang
70 bis feet to object to the reception Of Dir Beechers
challenge 10 Mr. Moulton to produce the letters
which had been intrusted tO him in confidence. The
Aebate which followed between him aud Mr.. Evarts
was a keen. polished argument on each side, Mr
Eyars claiming that this letter marked the date Of
Mr. MouIton's hostility TO Mr.. Beeeher. Mr. Evarts
was finally compelled TO content himself with an
exception This debate gave MIR. houlton Breathing
space and he answered the next questions re-
lating 10 his slight acquaintance with Dir. Beechef
before Dee. 30 1870 with much composure and even
with O smile. The rounds Of the ladder were now
all in place save tho last. This the question
Quoted earlier ia this recital and when it was asked
his auditors perceived the Outkues of perfect eli
max and significant gianoes were exchanged in
many parts Of the courtroom. Mr.. Moulton's toue
changed in an instant and during tho remainder Of
the session his manner quiet and subdued.
There were only fow minutes in reserve, and ex
Judge Porter contAnted himself with the point
which he had made. although he filed up tho hour
with unimportant questions in relation to Mr.
Moultons intimate friendship for Mr.. Tilton. The
Of the witness will be resumed to-
day. and will probably occopy two days
THE LEGAL BYPLAY