New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-06-25
THE CHARGE OF BLACKMAIL.

Mr.. Beechers advances of money, which,
through Mr. Moulton, went 20 the benefit OF Mr. nfon
and family appear have been acts OF generosity
That money not extorted by Mr. Mouton, nor does
IL appear to have been the fruit of any improper articles
Although II Is OF special moment think 1t proper
to say that the unconradicted evidence shows that Mr.
Tilton did not know that he thus benefited by Mr.
Beecher. said early in my nemarks, that, except on
points Of slight Importance was not In the habit OF ex
pressing opinions jurors upon conroverted questions
OF facpoints Of slight importance being the exception
regard the conspiracy and attempts to blackmail sug
gested Of that character and feel therefore at liberty
to indicate to you what my opinion is Those are crimes
punishable such, not 10 be predicated on mere usp
cion. We have before evidence which could sup
port such charges and II had. the Defendants posi-
ton would remain precisely the same because, II nno
cent, he is to be declared independently OF the
question whether there were such articles or not
The approach to backmai would seem to have
arisen between Mr.. Tton and Mr. Bowen, II the former
did threaten to publish card injurious TO the latter I'M
less the money paid. But we have no interest IN
that question Moreover, he did not publish the card
he paid until after investigation. Il seems that
the covenant between Mr. Bowen and Mr. Tilton In re-
spect compensation for services and the term Of en-
ployment in the newspapers contained certain pro-
visions for damages, payment, on sudden termna-
ton of the arrangement and that those claims IN dispute
should be determined by erbtrators In the notices Of
dismissal put in evidence Mr. Bowen proposed that mode
ludepeude1t,
Union, to each Of which he proposed an arbitration
which might have taken place at far has ap
peared He had legal right to stand that under
very recent decision of the Court of Appeals giving what
has been thought by to be novel Interpretation OF
the effect OF the covenanof the clause in the covenant
TO arbtrate. am inclined to think that Bowen might
have enforced that covenant that should be settled by
arbitration At any rate he proposed that An arbra
ton was had The gentlemen acting arbitrators-men
Of character and integrty-found that 81 900 due
and that paid No special purpose intrigue, desire
get "Trpartite Covenant" 10 settle outside difficult
ties TO prevent incoming complications-no consider
alton Of matter of that kind would have led
those three arbitrator TO have found that $1,000
DUE unless in their judgment, II was actually due.
TESTIMONY UNWORTHY OF CONSIDERATION.
do not stop, gentlemen, to caution you, or
even assist you push aside many considerations
that OF small moment and that have occupied your
attention less for example the Rosse process
sion the Sunday afternoon when supposed that
Mr. Tlton had walked in the crowd with Mrs Woodruff
and Miss ClafD. The evidence received when we
we're busy with the question to Mr. Tltons assoeia
ton with Mrs. Woodruff. He had gtated that he had
sought her acquaintance understanding between
himself and the defendant Mr. MOulton had and this
attempt TO show that that was carried to large
degree OF familiarity TO such an extent that on Sun
day afternoon in this procession he walks with her IN
the street, helps TO carry banner Quite number Of
witnesses have been called on that questionable only
possible materality all the time being, under this ques
ton Of damages show that this plaintiff instead OF
being tenderhearted husband plaintiffs sometimes
are and therefore entitled to great consideration and
large amount of damages in fact seeking the associa
ton, intimacy and public connection known connection
with persons supposed to be subject to criticism, like
Mrs woodruff She may, for aught know, be proper
subject OF criticism she may for aught we know be-
to large degree merely intellectual woman, carried
away by some freaks OF extravsgance, II not insanity.
The testimony to that procession you win perceive.
therefore does not deserve your consideration especially
fit belongs in the particular class Of evidence which
have assigned IL.