New-York tribune., 1875-05-12
CONTRADICTIONS FROM MR.. TILTON.

CONTRADICTIONS fROM MIX
The counsel for the plaintiff Yesterday surprised
almost every one in the courtroom by suddenly re-
calling Mr.. Tilton to the witness chair He
rallied by Mr.. Morris, who turned to him, after the
brief examination of Miss Mcdonald was finished,
and said in low voice, hardly audible beyond the
circle of the counsels chairs, Mr. Tilton. will you
take the stand :" Mr.. TiltOn arose. and,
walking forward sat down in the witness chair so
guietly that many in the audience were unaware
that the plaintiff himself was upon the stand At
hrst Mr.. TntOns testimony was given in so
tow tone that it must have been maudlble
ia the back parts of the room. Gradually
the spectators seemed to awake TO the fact that this
would probably be their last opportunity to hear the
plaintiff in the great trial speak his own behalf.
Then hush came over the audience and the strict
est attention paid to the proceedings. Mr. Nor
rs put the questions in his usual deliberate manner.
MIR TTton appeared very calm, and gave his whole
attention to the examination. Leaning forward in
the chair with his lips half parted and his
eyes fixed on Mr.. Morris, he seemed to
catch the intent of the questions before
they were uttered, and answered very promptly,
beginning to speak sometimes almost before the
words of the question had left the lips of the Ques
TONER. The members of the Plymouth delegation
smiled and whispered together, and in the long
pauses which frequently interviewed between the
unestions many in the audience conversed IN low
tones casting side glances at the witness MI
Beecher was not present but Mrs. Beecher was, and
she looked straight at Mr.. TiltOn with slight
trown while he was testfying. Several Of the
Jurors consulted together while the examina-
ton of Mr.. TiltOn going on, and
iy mods and significant gances indicated
that their interest fully aroused. MI
TYlton had large package of papers and letters,
from which he readily selected the documents which
fe was asked 10 produce He seemed TO be perfectly
familiar with the testimony which he was called 10
1ebut and once or twice assisted his counsel IN nd-
ing particular passages about which they desired 10
question him. When discussions between counsel
were going on concerning the admission OF hls
Testimony certain points, Mr. TltOn listened with
Fixed attention. seeming to be impatient 10 JOIN III
them himself and TO chafe under the restraint which
abe law put upon his utterances.
Mr.. TltOn began a long series of denials by de-
,larinp that he had not visited Mrs. Woodhull in
Irving place, as the cOlored witness Woodley had
asserted Then he said that he had never called
A!rs. Woodruff "vickey" in his life, and had never
spoken TO her or Col. Blood about publishing the
scandal He contradicted several other state
ments made by Woodley Mrs. Palmer, one Oh
ihe defendants witnesses, had testified that
an the early part of 1872 Mrs. woodruff
read a portion of the proofs OF the scandaI
article in the presence of herself and Mr hilton.
This Mr. Titon yesterday denied, saving that at the
was absent in the North West lectuTng. Mr.. lllton
showed where he was in 1871 and 1872, prior 10
Nov g. 1872 by reading a long list of places IN
Sarious parts of the country where he had lectured
,nrinp that time. He denied that he had had what
il known as the True Story at the Sunday even
ing interview at Mr. Mouiton's house when MI Tracy
Mr. Moulton, and himself were present. That docu-
Jnent had not been written then. He also contra
dicted Gen Tracys statement that at that interview
bo1 ufo ldp1t he a
which he had brought with him. and had begun to
.e.d a statement In several other particulars the
witness contradcted the testimony of Cen Tracy
as well as the evidence of various other witnesses Iof
the defendant.
The liveest interest shown by the audience
IN the plaintiffs statements in regard to the scene al
his house when Miss Bessie Turner asserted that
she had been knocked down by Mr.. Illton In
.erv decided manner the witness denied that any
snch scene had ever taken place He was asked II
se had made certain statements 10 Bessie urner-
among Others that it was no wonder his gray
hairs were going down IN sorrow 10 tle
grave, "Did Won say that y asked MI MOTIFS
NO Sir" replied Mr.. TiltOp and then added
without smiling, i'll low tone, " had no gray mars
st that time Mr. TitOn went ON denying STATE
,nent after statement of Miss Turner as they were
read TO him. from her testimony, by Mr. Motifs
These denials, which listened 30 in perfect ST.
aence bv the audience were made without hesitation
a. rapdly as the questions put. Mi. Hilton
stated that Bessie Turner was absent In keyIOrt
,inripo the whole time of Mr.. Greeeys stay at his
house IN 1863.
Nr Tilton denied that the interview had taken
,lace which was spoken of 10y Mr.. Beecher as occur
ring in s7l when the defendant said that he ana
Mrs Tilton sat on Mr.. TiltOns knees and that they
All kissed one another Mr.. TiltOn said, however.
that he remembered a scene somewhat similar whlch
had occurred about 10 years ago and which had ref
.repce 10 another matter. Dir. Tilton fur
1ber denied that he had read to Nr
9eecher from slip of paper statement OF his wiie
concerning improper advances made 10 her by Mr.
Reecber He said that he had read very different
paper 10 Mr. Beecher He likewise denied that any
thing had been said at the time OF the arDtratloh
Sn his presence, about burning the papers. MI
Wilkeson had not suggested insisted on the de-
etruction of the papers to him.
There was yesterday stroke of the wit that In
The earlier stages of the trial flashed frequently
IN the legal encounters between counsel BIT.
Fyarts in the course of short argument had stated
that q great many men tell lies" That may be-
do MT know" said Judge Nelson. Well replied
Mr. Evarts smiling, your Honor has been very for
tunate ia your Judicial experience"
When Mr. Morris had finished his examination OF
Mr. Tilton he turned toward Mr.. Evarts, indicst-
ing that he could begin the crossexsmmation' put
MI. Eyarts shook his head, saying: have nothing
70 ask" and the plaintiff stepped down from tne
witness stand and resumed his seat among MS
counsel The time for adjournment had nearly AZ
ryed when Mr. Titon's examination was nnisnea'
Mr. Beach said that Mr. Moulton would be the next
witness but as that gentleman was not preseh''
The Court adjourned until this morning