The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1875-01-20
Tilton-Beecher-AT Talk with General
Pryor.

The New York Herdtd puDlishes tne loi'
lowing: =,
In the frequent recesses of the court the
Herald writer bad an opportunity to con-
verse with General Roger a. Pryor, who
answered some questions, not to the press,
but to the questioner. :.
He was first asked how the lawyers at this
trial compared with lawyers Of similar rank
in Virginia. Reference was Of course made
to the commanding central tigures-Eyarts,
Beach, Porter, and Fullerton.
"They are not the equals Of the Virginia
lawyers, sir. That is very clear to my mind.
They are neither so well read nor so elo-
uucnt. How could they be, with the vast
calls upon their time? am told that some
OF the very greatest practitioners at the New
York bar have not read chapter Of law in
fifteen years.
"But these New York barris'ers," contin.
ued Mr.. Pryor, "are the superiors OF the
Virginia lawyers for their marvellous quick
ness to grasp facts and find cxpedicnts. For
the reasoning powers they substitute sharp
ness of the senses which is not requisite nor
even advisable in old and sparse communi-
ties, where the law proceeds slowly, and the
bar and bench act as parts of the same grave
and dignifcd inquisition Of justice"
"How did you come into the case, Gene
raj Pryor."
"Judce Norris" said the General, "was
first retained by Mr.. Titon. AS the case
proceeded, he took me in. We consulted to-
gcther as long as we knew Mr.. Beecher's
counsel to he limited to Tracy, Shearman,
and Hill. When we knew that he had crossed
over to New York and secured Porter and
Eyarts, we told Mr.. Tilton that he must
bring in other counsel. 1t was not sure that
we could get the aid of men Of the firstclass
like Judge Beach and Judge Fullerton, as
Titon bad no money, and lawyers do not
like to work without q contingent. How
ever, Triton went over to New York with
Morris and myself, and he said to our asso-
ciates, Beach and Fullerton: Gentlemen,
you must trust if you work for me. am
at present without any money. They had
been engaged by another party to the scam
dial suits, and they readily assented to Til
toms suggestion"
"How do you feel in the case--confident
or the contrary"
"We feel very well, but so do the lawyers
on the other side. We bave as yet seen no
money. The other side is we'll paid, and the
social and physical support they get in this
community are very cheerful, while our man
is under cloud and nearly without active
friends. Still we are conscious of al out
side sentiment that hovers around u.s."
care you the equals of counsel on the
other side2"
DWELL, you are not now referring to me.
] think that Judge Porter, Of MIR. Beecher's
counsel, is perhaps the ablest speechmaker
at the New York bar. If he makes set,
prepared speech, in summing up this case,
1t may be IN historic performance. He is
nota ready man, but well prepared he has
not his equal in this country with jury.
Besides, he is an accomplished scholar.
MIR. Beach has good, but not very
full, vocabulary, and his dash and spirit are
remarkable for man of his years. 1t is said
that he is siXty.siX years old. On the whole
/ think that we have staff of counsel equal
10 the other side, excepting Porter. l think
we have the easiest case to try"
"What doyou make Of Frank Moulton p
81 consider him to be a young man of su.
perior culture for merchant, and this has
given him weakness for great literary PEG.
pie like Beecher. He saw in taking care OF
Tilton's case chance to be the conJidamie OF
the greatest intellect Of his society, and en-
braced Beecber's cause. AS a second OF
Tilton, he did not serve him according to the
code, but endearored to serve Tilton's an
tagonist too. The effort was absurd, and in
Iolyed him in the present dilemma"
"What do you think of Mr.. Tilton?"
"He is the most radical man ever saw.
II they ask him on this trial if he believes
his wife Though false) is pure, he will an
swer Yes His grip is remarkable. His
weaknesses only make his peculiar strength
of character more prominent. In some re-
spects he has more will and natural intellect
than anybody ever saw"
!" Do you think Mr.. Beecher has managed
himself well in this case?"
"Yes. He has been Of great assistance to
his counsel. He his shown as much ability
in this trial as ever in bis life. see it crop.
ping out every day."
"Will the cross.eXamination Of Moulton
be very seyere?" ....
IL think so. He will be questioned about
his religious opinions and all that can preju-
dice the jury"