New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-04-29
GEN. TRACY IN THE CHAIR.

The rain did not diminish the number of auditors
in the courtroom, and there were as many ladies
present as usual Considerable curiosity was mani
tested in regard to Gen. Tracys testimony, as 1t was
expected that he would contradict the statements OF
some of the plaintiffs witnesses. Messrs. Tracy,
Shearman, Hill and Evarts who came in few MIN
ntes before IL o'clock, were i'll earnest consuta-
ton before the arrival of the plaintiffs counsel.
Mrs. Tilton appeared in the courtroom Tor
the first time since Bessie Turner left the
witness chair She sat in her old place with Mrs.
Field and Mrs. Sherman. She wore plain dress OF
rich dark brown color and bonnet of a similar
color with narrow band of white around the brim,
and cluster of white roses in front. Many OF the
spectators in the audence-roOm kept staring nj her
She remained only a short time, going out with MIS-
Ovington Mrs. Field, and Mrs. Sherman just before
Gen. Tracy took the witness CHAIR and not return
ing during the day.
The direct examination of Mr. Tracy was continued
by Mr.. Evarts. His testimony related mainly to the
consultation held on Sunday afternoon, late in 1872
at Mr.. Moulton's house. between Mr.. Moulton, Mr..
Tilton. and himself lie had been asked by Mr.
Woodruff whether he would consent to take part in
a consultation in relation to the Woodruff publica-
ton Mr. Woodruff thought that the story was in
junng Mr. MOultOn and the firm. On that occasion
MIR. MoultOn at first showed him the letter of apo-
ogyn or "contritiOn" which lie said was
% memorandum, notes, of a converse
ton which he had had with Mr.. Beecher
He next showed him Mrs. TiltOn's retraction and
also her letter explaining her retractiOn. Mr. Tracy
repeated what he had then said in regard to these
documents Mr. Moulton had said that Mr.. TiltOn had
come to him very much offended because Mr. Beecher
had obtained the retractOn from Mrs. Iilon; that he
had gone and procured the paper from Mr.. Beecher,
but that the statement in the Woodruff publica-
ton that he had done by threats not true. Mr.
MoultOn had told him that the retractiOn implied
that Mr. Tlton had cOcrced the letter of confession
from his wife and that was what had given great
offense to Mr. Tilton Mr.. Tracy said that he asked
Mr.. MoultOn if Mr. TtOn charged Mr.. Beecher with
adultery, and Mr.. MoultOn said "no." He then
asked him what the charge was, and Mr. Moulton
replied that he would rather that Mr.. TiltOn should
state that in his own language. Mr.. Moulton then
brought Mr. TltOn into the room. Mr.. 1llton asked
Gen. Tracy whether the etiquette of the profession
would allow him to become Mr.. Beecher's counsel, if
legal controversy were to arise afterMr Titon had
stated his case to him. Mr.. Tracy replied that,
setting aside the question of etiquette, he would
not feel at liberty to become counsel for the
other side The witness then went on TO describe
how Mr.. TiltOn had read to him from manuscript,
experimenting it with oral explanations, and was
about to tell what the general tenor of what Mr..
Tilton had read and said was, when he was stopped
by an objection from Mr. Beach. Mr.. Evarts
attempted to show that what Mr.. Tilton
had read to Mr.. Tracey in whole or in
part the document known the "True StO-
~" This met with strenuous opposition from
the plaintiffs counsel, but the "True Story" was
shown TO the witness, who was allowed to use it in
order to refresh his memory. He remembered
that the documents contained in the "Trne Story"
and some of its statements identical with those
which had been read. or made to him by Mr.. 1lltOn.
He was unable to remember the language which Mr..
TiltOn had used. During this conversation Mr. I'll
ton told Gen. Tracy that Mrs. Tilton was pure
woman. Mr.. TiltOn explained why he cOuld not
give direct denial to the Woodruff publication.
He said il contained various statements which he
could not deny. Gen. Tracy advised him TO make a
denial of the story and destroy the documents This
MI TiltOn refused 10 do.
Gen. Tracy testified that he told Mr.. MOultOn that
Mr. Tilton ought 10 go to Europe for three or four
years until the effects of his relations with Mrs.
Woodruff wore off and he could build himself up
arain here Mr.. Moulton did not say that the
essential points of the Woodruff publication were
frue. Mr. Tracy denied with empha sis that he had
,aid that this was case in which lying would be
Unsuitable. Tie said it was barely possible that IN
the excitement of the discussion he had SAID IN sub
stance that if the Woodruff publication affected
his family he should take the responsibility OF lie
in DENYING it. He said he was confident he never
spoke of Mr. MOulton's going to Europe.
Toward the end of the session, heated debates
arose between Mr. Evarts and Mr. Beach, the former
ATTEMPTING TO introduce the testimony OF the witness
I'm reference to interviews between himself and Mr.
Mouton. and the plaintiffs counsel opposing on the
ground that Mr.. Mouton and Mr.. Tilton were not
legally identified and that the latter could not be
held responsible for the unauthorized acts and state
ments of the former This testimony was excluded.
The larger part of Mr.. Tracy's testimony was gwen
spontaneously. and comparatively few questions
were asked. His manner was very earnest, and his
language fOrcible.
Immediately after recess the prosecution recalled
Mrs Z. j. OvingtOn, and Mr.. Fulle-tOn questioned
her in reference 10 her note TO Mr. Cleveland on the
evening of July TO- 1874 when Mr. Tilton was before
the Investigating Committee, and Mr. Clevelands
answer and the arrival of Mira. TilOD at her house
on the next day. Mrs. OvingtOn explained that she
had promised Mrs. Tilton TO let her know when Mr.
Triton went before the Committee. She wished 10
state why this request had been made, but was not
allowed to 20 on. The notes which passed between
Mrs. Ovington, Mrs. Tilton and Mr.. Cleveland on
that evening were then introduced in evidence by
Mr.. Sherman.
For some time before the afternoon session was
opened, Mr.. Beecher sat talking with one Of the
stenographers directly in front of MI Ilton, who
was writing, and who did not look up except TO
glance for an instant at Mr. Beecher, and then
quickly look down again at his work. The direct
Examination of Mr. Tracy will be continued to-day.
THE PROCEEDINGS-VER