New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-05-01

Co. N. Y, the Hon. James Riley OF New YORK, and
s.V. southau of Virginia, sat on the bench. The
Rev. DR.. Fuller Of Baltimore, Md. occupied a seat
among the counsel
THE CLOSING QUESTIONS TO MR.. TRACY.
The courtroom was crowded moro closely yester-
day than II had been at any time since MI beecher
left the witness stand Public curiosity seemed TO
have been aroused by the legal duel In progress be-
tween Mr. Beach and Mr.. Tracy. In the afternoon
when it became known that the defense had rested
their case and that the prosecution would call wit
nesses in rebuttal, the audience increased IN size
and the doorway leading into the audience-room
became once more crowded with people who were
anxious 70 hear the proceedings, although they
were obliged to stand and peer one over anothers
shoulders Recently the counsel on both sides have
been much less prompt in their attendance than
they were in the earlier stages of the trial, and from
o to 10 minutes are lost every day at the begin
ming of both the morning and the afternoon session.
Mr. Beach resumed the cToss-exaninatlon OF Gen.
Tracy in the same abrupt and aggressive manner
that he showed in beginning it on Thursday Ills
first question whether the witness had not
been consulting with his fellow-counsel about his
testimony Just before taking the witness chair.
This was the provocatOn of several sharp replies as
it was followed up by similar questions
One of the most important portions OF the cross
examination yesterday related TO an interview be-
tween Gen. Tracy and Mrs. MOulton about the time
when Mr. MoutOns short statement TO the Commit
zee was substituted for his long one. MIR. Beach
asked if the witness at that interview had SAID to
Mrs MoultOn Emma, you brave woman;
Won have saved the old man to-day" and if he had
questioned her whether she wouldn't destroy the
papers if jeremiah p Robinson advised it, and had
sad to her If Frank ever uses that statement and
the letters you viii be ruined socially financially,
and In every way Mr.. Tracy replied that he had
had conversation with Mrs. MOultOn on the subjects
referred 10 in Mr. Beachs question: but that In sub
stance il was not what the question en-
bodied Before replying in reference to this con-
versation Mr. Tracy objected TO going into it, on the
ground that it was a confidential conversation be-
tween Mrs Moulton and himself. Again, on his re-
direct examination MI Tracy said that he hoped he
would not be questioned about the details of that
conversation. but his objection set aside. he
testified that nothing at that time said about
the destruction of the papers, either then or at
future date Mr.. Tracy denied that he had made
other statements Of similar character IN previous
conversation with Mrs Moulton in 1874. Mr.. Beach
sad that re intended to recall Mrs. Moulton and.
ouestion her in reference 10 these conversations
Mr. Mouli0ns short statement was read by Mr.
Beach AID the acts of the investigating Committee
of MI Richards refusal 10 testify before the Com
mittee were touched upon. Mr. Beach asked some
very searching questions about the relations Of the
witness with newspapers, and endeavOred to find
out if he had sought 10 influence any leading news
papers in favor Of Mr. Beecher after the publication
of the Bacon letter Mr. Tracy said he had not
sought to influence the course of any paper although
he had talked with newspaper men about the
scandal.
The redirect examination of Mr.. Tracy by Mr.
Evarts wa short 1t drew out the fact that before
Mr. Tltou's sworn statement made public Mr..
Tracy had consulted with others In reference TO pro-
curing an injunction to prevent the destruction
of the papers There genuine surprise exhibited
among the spectators, when, having asked few
more questions of the witness Mr. Evarts turned TO
the Court and said in low voice. d" We rest" Few
had expected that the defense would finish their
case this week, it understood that there were
number of i'm POrant witnesses yet 10 be called on
that side.