New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-04-24
FOPMATION AND MEETINGS OF THE CON-
NI1TEE.

Mr. Beacll--The simple point. Sir, to WHOA
directed tho witnesss attention wa, Tor the putpoSs
Of proving tho fact that Mr Beeoher suggested u
names ali or OF them, who ultimately composo"
this Committee Az tho discussion which arose upon
that suggestion 10 the considerations which were
presssd in that conversation tho different parties 70
t. we made no inquiry whatever II was upon tho sin'
p!e question which have stated to your HONOR ana
that was not connected at all with tie motives or the
reasons then oppressed urged by tho several pars
for the selection Of the particular nAmes who siss'
ward did form that Committee Now, we have "
fora air In tho COURSE OF this trial, he1
occasion to tho rule settled In the Court OF Ap
peas that giving part ola conversation does not neon
ssry lead TO introduction OF tic whole of that o"
yersaton by side IL Ia not necessary TO disoes
that ruo any further; and submit that the extent -
which we went upon that single point docs not enAos
them TO introduce s the discussions and reasons and ~
glnncnt which wore advanced "a between Mr. Beechas
aud his friends upon the subject OF this selection
Mr. shear1nan-Now. u your Honor please, by mAkas
an Offer think remove all tho olJeouons sftes
making slight reference to tno eIiiehee 8Von " u
CROSS Judge Morris inquiries
Issk you again II the question the lection OF Pr
per persona compose the Committee was one OF ing
y was desired az Mr. Beochers that night A. N,
Beecher gaveno special reasons iPr ,r oens snee ., ~
g. With reerouco to what, A with reference TO this
q What m..,er' A Tho mater Of INVESTIGATION
O tmattor-NtSuL
MIR. siearmsn-Hej lst stated
The Witnnss-T1.o INVESTIGATION.
O. We'll what about that did he want 70 discusse A. u
was matter that dia not ask him specially.
Had he any do,t, p.n ay Il S a una. "e''
8. We're any sussested' A He wanted to take Leg"
advice.
Mr. Shearman-Then he Is further asked about names;
and your Honor will recoect that he could not at 'hns
moment refresh his memory to all the names that wer
mentioned Now simply what propose TO onerto proSen
this that Mr.. Beecher invited these three gencme"
around az we have heard the whole and thae
ta rst proposon that lie made with reference to tho
names and the Committee OF Investigation was this no
gentlemen whether they thought would
lie proper thing for him TO invite William NJ EvartS.
George william Curtis and william Cuen Bryant 70 siS
as committee investigate this matter; and that was
Me- Beeechers proposition and those were the thsee
names that the counsel the other side trying TO gee
ont and should have been very glad have helped the
get out the witness could not then recollecti IT, Anc
propose further show that the that those gentle
men were not selected was because Mr. Beecher WIS
advised by the legal gentlemen whom he had brought la
for that occasion that there was no pre-
lection to such a committee against innumerabie hoes
Suits and that the only legal method Of investigation was
by the methods of his church under the auspices OF
the Examining Committee, the communications 10 when
would be held privileged by the law Now, that 10 my
offer. -,
Don't give the conversation to any extent give Simply
that
Mr. shcarman-well then suppose ask justin luAs"
ton ITO the wtness1 ask you. then. Mr. Ceveihnh!
TO save time whether Mr. Beecher did or did not az tcss
ne submit to the consideration Of the gentlemen thus
called in the names OF William M. Evarts George WILLARD
Curtis aud william Cullen Bryant, 10 committee 10 A'
yestigae this matteri A. He did.
O And was he, or was he not, advised BY MI bneesA
man and Mr. Tracy that such committee could nos %
nroected against libel suits In tho course OF suca an
and that must In order to protocs the
select one under the auspices OF tho Examin"
ING Committee of his own Churchs
NJ ReaehWeil one moment, Sir; shall object to An3
such question AS that
NJ, shearman-On the ground that 1t Ia leadings
Mr. Beach--why; yes, Sir.
Mr. sbearman-Oh, of course We concede that bat,
en as stated the offer In the presence Of the wnesss
I thouclt IL would save time. Then withdraw thas
question: aud ask you what advice did Mr. Beccher re-
ceIye from the two lawyers who then presents a.
have no recollection Of Gen. Tracys advice In REGARD -
t,o NATTER my recollection ID that Mr.. Shearmaa so~
gested that the Committee had better be formed nor
Plymouth Church and society; the reasons sne hss&
| reasons suppose were given; have no
| Judge Neilson-That Is sufficient. .
Mr. Shcarman--One question 1t IA proper W ssa' Ns
that time 30 far Us you had any KNOWLEDGE or "os"
ton and for long time sfterward, MI ESSrsS IN" No
relation to Mr. Beecher counsel or In any ohet WV
| A. None that knew Of ~.
q II Ia conceded that MT Evarts had mono unu' so"S
tim. after the commencement OF this suit fop wes~
..ka, A. Tn when the first formal meeting OF tne w.
,n,ta nj Investigation took place. Have you ~ -
,..,.n ,.u Il, Give To what meant BY ef0seeea