New-York tribune., 1875-01-14
MIR. MoULToN AS A WITNESS.

At the close of the opening argument recess was
taken until 1880 o'clock. The common impression
as that Theodore Tilton would be the first witness
after the intermisEOn although few lawyers pre-
dicted that the prosecution would steal
march upon the defense by taking MI
Beecher by surprise. Ex-Judge Fullerton, atter an
interchange of remarks about the ACCOMMODATIONS
of the counsel abruptly called Augustus MaverlcK
to the stand as the first witness. Mr.. Fullerton
who conducted the examination, mas iuu holiu
face with prominent cheek bones and hight hair and
mustache. His questions are asked with suen orec'-
ness and simplicity that the witness is encouraged
70 maintain his self possession and to answer
clearly He stands erect, with his eyes halfclosed
and his fingers twirling an eye-glass. An objection
from the opposing counsel stirs bis blood and his
reni;es are sharply and quickly made. His work
with the first witness was ended. for the ques-
tions related merely to the marriage and early
domestic hfe of Tilton.
when the name Of Francis d. Moulton was called
a buzz of expectation ran through the courtroom.
There was no response. and the spectators noticed
that Mr.. TiltOn sitting alone. Ex-Judge Ful
lerton remarked THAI Mr.. Moulton had been COLI
pslled to 90 TO his home to fetch papers, and
vould be in the courtroom before long. Inc
.Plvmouth section" chuekled over this. intlmatlng
nv their SMILES and mods that they had found
Mr. Moulton rather uncertain III his movements
during the past Summer, and that his hardness was
in keeping with his character. In 10 OF 10 minutes
he entered the room and quickly took the witness
chair laying package OF papers on the hoor beside
him. Mr.. Beecher looked him in the face, and
during the remainder of the session rarely lost
sight of him. Mr.. Moulton crossed his leee, folded
his arms in the Napoleonic manner and looked at
the audience but 80 many eyes met his gaze that his
face Redeemed and he manifested some nervousness
He swung from side to side. took knife from his
nocket and PLAYED with it, Strengthened himself and
then drummed with his fingers on the arm OF the
chair His voice was clear at the outset, and III
was evident that he intended, If he could
TO answer the questions with prompt business-hke
precision like q man of the world. The fiTst I'M
uression which he made was rather favorable, his
answers being frank unstudied, and unaffected ;
hut the pauses between the words soon be-
came longer, and some of his reJoinders
were gwen in a hsping, careless manner.
When ne identified the letters he was studiously
careful subjectng every page TO riPid scrutiny and
only asserting after he had called them back and
glanced at them again.
His testimony a repetition OF certain portions
of his second published statement with few varia
tions, but every word was listened to by the audi
ence as if it was fresh thing instead
of stale scandal which the world has
learned by heart. After an animated passage
between the counsel in reference to section of Mr.
Tiltons famous letter to Mr. Bowen concerning Miss
Proctor, the Court adjourned until this morning,
when the witness will be recalled.
No official report of the trial is being made by
the Court or lawyers on either side, and yester-
day. as on every former occasion when reference to
the language jurors witnesses became necessary,
Judge Nelson directed THE TRIBUNE stenographers
to read the language called for from their notes.
THE TmBUNE's report is, therefore, the authority
for the court and lawyers alike.