New-York tribune., 1875-02-04
QUESTION AND CROSS QUESTION TO Mr..
TILTON


once allowed to droop. The testimony first ad-
verted to the Congregational Council in 1874 to the
time when Mr.. T1ltOn first heard of its organization
and TO what followed The familiar occurrences sur
rounding the famous Bacon letter were lightly
touched upOn 1t was soon after this that Mr. TltOn
last met and spoke TO Mr.. Beecher He told Mr..
Beecher on that occasion that DR.. Bacon
had called him Nir Tilton) knave and
q liar and creature of Mr.. Beechers
magnanmity, and added that Mr. Beecher must
deny Dr. BacOnsstatoments or he (Mr. Tiltonl would
hr. Beecher made no reply and went away. Until
they met in the courtroom. the two men did not
again see each other. letter from Mr.. TiltOn to
Nh Beecher, dated in May, 1874, was introduced in
which the writer wrote that he had heard from Mr..
Carpenter that Mr.. Beecher desired to offer MIR. Til
ton pecuniary aid. The latter closed by declining
money directly or indirectly. and Mr. Fullerton read
II with the greyed expression which the writer evil
IDENTIFY intended toconvey. Another communication,
written TO Mr. Shearman and other members Of
Plymouth Church. was read. It contained quota
tions from the Bacon letter and said that if it was
desired TO try Mr. Tilton for the charges against him
he would appear at the bar of Plymouth Church and
answer them
This brought the examination to the events con-
nccted with the Plymouth Investigation Committee.
The witness said that Mrs. Tilton first informed him
If the Committees existence about 10 o'clock one
night early in July. The letter Of Mr. Beecher ap-
pointing the Committee appeared in the newspapers
the same week, and Mrs Tlton left her home on the
Gav when II was published. The examination then
went back to the time when Bessie Turner entered Mr.
liltons house. who knew her as Lizzie McDermott,
"a itlc waf of thing" as he described her. When
asked whether the story about his having acted i'm
properly toward the girl was true or false, the wit
ness replied emphaticay, Not a word of truth in
.fa#rg, ffffTs A
debate arose regarding the next topic which was !
about one of the proposed reports Of Mr. TiltOn to
the Investigating Committee. Judge Nelson was |
at first inclined to rule out the details of the inter
view at which that report was suggested, as as
tcr,cd. by Mr.. Tracy, bat Mr.. Fullerton and Mr..
Beach brought to bear strong arguments for its
admission, and finally won their point.
Judge Fullerton then announced that the direct
examination was ended with the, exception of the
reading of some letters written prior 10 the alleged
commission of adultery. These would be read later
Mr. Evarts who was to conduct the crOss-examina-
ton. decidedly objected to that arrangement, and
he continued to protest when Mr.. Beach explained
that the letters bore reference simply to damages.
heated but amusing skiTmiSh of words followed
this misunderstanding MIR Beach said that cOun-
seI for the plaintiff would be obliged 10 occupy the
next few hours in identifying all the letters,
three or four hundred IN number, and
they would introduce afterward the few
they desired 10 read. "Nou must introduce them
before | cross-cxamine' exclaimed Mr.. Evarts de-
f,dedlv. emphasizing with equal force every word
and svllahlc NO won't introduce them be-
fore Won cros>-eNamiuc' replied Mr.. Beach jerking
ont each word with shake Of the head. We'll
see" rejoincd Mr.. BeecheI's senior counsel in a
drawling ,choolnoy fashion. which was exceedingly
funny. After Nh Beach had responded I'VE uH
sec there seemed to be nothing further to say, and
IudQe Nelson. apparently amused by the quarrel,
suggested that there ought TO be some way to agree.
blr. Fullerton replied that the plaintiffs counsel
mad hundreds of letters. but only wished TO intro
ducc about a score Of them. There was momen
tary pause. both sides being stubborn and de
tcr1nincd not to compromise. Then Mr. Evarts said,
with yawn. "Wcll gentlemen, we've nothing TO
do with your case
Thank YOU for that" rctorted Mr.. Fullerton,
shortly. while Mr. Beach added, We've consider
able to do with YOURS
This provoked the first laughter of the day. in
which an the counsel joined IL was finally agreed
10 adjourn until o'clock. it being then about 1890
After recess the direct examination was continued.
Nr Tilton said that during his lecturlng tours he
wrote to his wife every day, and she wrote to HIM
a. often About 20 of the letters, written in 1867 and
lsCs were then read by Mr. Fullerton. They are the
poetca letters Of love between the plaintiff and his
wife which have been so much commented on, and
Mr. Fullerton threw into the reading of them much
sympathy and fervor. The direct examination was
concluded without further questioning at 30j.
Interesting as had been the morning session, il
was reserved for later hours Of the day TO develop
one Of the most striking features Of the tna-the
oross-examination OF Theodore IiltOn 10y William
NJ Evarts Mr.. Evarts arose slowly from his seat,
aud without foTmalty put his first question, while
Mr. Titon changed his position and answered 1t
with conposurc. The questioning was unbroken
ly any misunderstanding until Mr.. Illton was
asked whether Mrs TltOns residence had been at
Mr. Oyingtous since she separated from him. lie
declined 90 say that it had been, and finally
said. Her residence Is at my house" Then
NJ Evarts asked the witness what he
meant when he said that bis age was
about 50 10 which Mr.. TltOn replied that he meant
exactly what he said. After TINS there were ire
quent sharp exchanges of words between the exam
iner and the plaintiff, but always in good nature,
Nj Evarts being invariably aud Mr.. Tilton
extremely dignifed Mr.. Tlton did not lose
opportunity TO praise his wife and when asked
whether she enjoyed and sought the company of
people with great minds he REPLIED NO; she rather
went TO the lowly and unfortunate. She was "A
lovely woman II agree with YOU" commented
Mr Evarts.
Mr. Tilton's religious views were next inquired
alout Mr. Eyarts examined him closely that
,abject as 10 whether MI Tltons change IN belief
Lad caused his wife much sorrow, and whether
there was also a great difference in the religious
views of Mr. Tilton and Mr.. Bcecher The political
controversies between the two men were next taken
up and the events following the Cleveland Conven-
ton, when Mr. Tilton severely attacked Mr Beecher,
Ve.e rayfaxv R.f.. bie a.