New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-03-15
WHAT MR. sEECHER's COUNSEL SAY.

WHAT Mr.. BEECHERS COUNSEL SAY.
reporter of THE TRIBUNE found Gen. Tracy at
his residence. at No las Montague-st. Saturday,
resting in his study after the labors of the week.
Being asked what would be the result in the
great scandal case if Sena or Coles bill,
providing that the wife may testify against
the husband III suits for Grim. con-, became a
law Gen. Tracy answered that while he had given
the subject no thought at all he had doubt that
the bill would be fully operative in this The
fact that the trial begun before the enactment
" tie law Gf the bin becomes a law would III
GO wise kinder the counsel from taking
advantage of It, and from calling Mrs.
Triton TO the witnessstand they thought
II wise TO do 1t would not be proper for him to
say, Gen. Tracy remarked whether or not Mrs Til
ton would be made witness fol the defense in case
Senator Coles bill is passed. Gen Tracy was en-
nrely non-committal as to opinion the merits of
the bin.
About the origin of the bill the lawyer professed
t. know absolutely nothing He said that he
had often heard discussed measures for
securing the enactment of such law, but
OF this particular attempt he totally ignorant
until it became pubhe by receiving the attention Of
the Senate. Whether the bill would be diligently
pushed therefore, aud prompt final action on It be
obtained, or whether II would be allowed TO take
the natural course III going the slow round of the
Committees, Gen. Tracy was unable TO say. If Mrs.
Tlton should be placed on the stand, Gen. Tracy
SAID the case would be greatly heightened, not only
by the enormously long story which would
be drawn from her, but by the relation of other
matters which have already been ruled out, but
which IN the event suggested. would be in order.
Under these matters referred to- 1t is understood,
although the lawyer refused 90 make specifications,
come the verbal confessions Of the wife to the hus
band described in the printed statements converse
tions between Mr.. and Mrs. MOultOn and Mrs.
TiltOn the conversation between MIS-. OvingtOn and
Mrs. TiltOn during the trip TO Coney Island, and
numerous other points of kindred character which
have been decided to be purely collateral or other
wise inadmissble under present circumstances, and
for that reason have been excluded
The reporter casually mentioned the statement Of
Gen. Prior published in Saturdays paper that the
plaintiff objected TO no law that would permit Mrs.
TltOn to testify; whereupon Gen. Tracy spoke up
t1ergeticaly:
Why do MT he call her. them can assure him
that we will waive every objection which we could
possibly interpOse TO her becoming witness. Ii Is
the easiest thing in the wOrld-nO trouble al all.
We Will not interfere. There Is in waiting
for the enactment OF this law. Why 40 mt ne call
herr
The reporter suggested that even il the defense
did consent TO the calling of Mrs. Tilton by the
Plaintiffs counsel. it could not be done without
rhange in the statutes they stand, either by
amendment or by enacting new law.
Il don't know anything about that Gen. Tracy
replied in an iTritated tone, and added something
under the breath about there having been too much
bragGadocio, and his dishkinQ 10 hear such grand
promises and 10 see them only half fulfilled, OF
worse. forgotten altogether.
The lawyer was asked how sOon the case was like
" TO be gwen TO the jury. lie expressed the opin-
ion that the final decision would be reached by the
first day OF the early part Of Nav. Three weeks
noTe-or until the first part of April-wOuld be
needed to close the testimony in behalf of the de-
fendaut Then would come the testimony for the
plaintiff in rebuttal and then the final summing
The case has stretched out away beyond the limit
of time set for by the most exaggerated estimate
sad Gen. Tracy. land what great thick volume il
is making. And with a laugh at the outset
Judge Nelson thought it absurd when the idea
was suggested that the trial would last through
more than one term Gen Tracy said that Mr.
Eyarts and ex-Judge Porter would do the final
cumming up for Nj. Beeeber. Ii is probable that
Gr Porter will consider the points Of law, and Mr.
Lvars recall the facts. and sift the evidence, and
make the final appeal TO the Jury II was known
that Mr. Beach would yum up for Mr. Tilton but
Gen. Tracy had not been informed whether any one
would aid him in the task though it il probable that
Gen. Pryor will rehearse ths points of law for the
plaintiff.
Mr.. sHEARAANe VIEWS.
NJ Sherman told TRIBUNE reporter yesterday
that he had purposely avoided reading Senator
Coles bill, 80 that ne m ght sag honestly when in
terroeated on the subject-as he expected 10 be
0uestened-that no knew nothing about it, OF its
origin be ID ignorance. having never hoard of IL
before il was bronht 20 the notice Of the Senate.
Mr.. Sheafman chary of words expressing any
opinion on tho subject and declined 70 state his
OF the justice injustice OF snch change in
the law governing suits for this bill, if
passed will make. Nj. ShearInsn thought it very
1msrcper for NJ Beechers counsel ~ have anything
10 do in the way of abefting Mr. Cole II The attempt
u secure the passage OF TIE ball. for the enactment
of law was serious thing Aud however
desirable il rojght be in Mr. Beechers
,ase-though Mr. SheaSman added he did
not acknowledge that 1t was desirable
g. have the bill made law, il would not become
the counsel in any way TO u-ge or influence the
.aort because the genius of law was to secure
alstice in all cases which it had bearing, and
not for application any one case. Counsel or
ersous interested IN a sbo0ld TO- the sake OF
,She general good have nothing TO do with pro-
n, sed law which would affect their
NIX. TILTONs COUNSEL FAVOR THE BILL.