The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-09-01
CHECKMATING sHEARMAN.
mr.. moulton's Latest Move In the Suit
Against PIymoutbs Pastor.


Gen. Roger A. Pryor, counsel for Mr..
Francis d. Moulton, served on MIR. Beechers
attorneys, yesterday afternoon, an amend cd
complaint, asking for a trial Of the case Of Mou-
ton against Deeoher In the city and county Of
New York. The effect of this amended COM
plant Ia to take the case entirely out Of Brook
Ign, 30 that no motion Of change OF venue to
Franglin county can be argued before Judge
Dykman next Monday. The following interview
was had with MIR. Mouiton;
Reporter-whst 10 the object and effect Of
serving the amended complaint
Moulton-within twenty DAYS after service OF
an answer, plaintiff has the tight, without appli-
cation to the court, to serve an amended COM
plant. The only amendment made in the COM
plant 10 change Of the place OF trial from
Kings county to the city aud county Of New
York. The service Of the amended com pl amt.
as am advised, INSTANTLY changes tn 9 pace Of
trial to the city OF New York. II MIR. Beech
makes no objection, the trial may and will take
place in New York city.
Reporter-Have you any objection to trying
| the case In Brooklyn7
MIR. Mouitop-OU the contrary my personal
preference Is to try II In brooklyn There Mr..
| Beecher and have long lived, there we are both
known true. by virtue Of hts position he has
Infinitely more following and influence than j,
nevertheless am willing to trust the people Of
Brooklyn to try the issue between US; nearly all
the witnesses live there or IN its vicinity Every
| convenience will be consulted by trying the
case In BROOKLYN. As to the difficulty Of getting
| jury there that shall not stand IN the way, for
am willing to accept MS Jurors any dozen irre-
proachable citizens, who will swear that not
| withstanding previous bias. they will give the
| case fair trial on the evidence.
Reporter--Wby do YOU think Mr.. Beecher des-
ignated Franklin county for the place OF triaif
| houlton-Obviously because he knew that to
send the case there Tor trial would DO In effect
| TO denv me any trial at all. 10 try the case at
so remote and inaccessible place would quad
afford that expense, for the same congregation
tnat gave him sscooo by acclsmation to defray
the exuense Of his last rial will, II need be, vote
him twice the amount to deiray the expenses OF
the coming trial; but Mr.. Beecner knows that |
am not a rich man, that am Just CONNIE Dcing
| business again, and that all my means are en-
berktd In the business: he knows that my con
slant presence In the city is absolutely REQUIRED
! by my business, while he can easily get supply
! for his pulpit; he knows that cannot bear the
burden u trial away from this vicinity, and
| He knows, furthermore, that mauy Of my
| witnesses are reluctant to testify, and that
| should have great difficulty In getting them to a
distant point; Ia a word, he knows that I cam
not try the case where ne desirnates, and that
y the reason be desgnatss that place. Ne may
| find another motive In some job put up by hts
unscrupulous attorney to have the case tried
before partial judge or by packed Jury, but
the issue - stripped OF all extraneous en- barrass-
ments, and Mrs. lilton is "a competent witness,
| he dare not meet be- issue before impartial
| tribunal. His motion to change the place Of
trial 10 "a retreat. a subterfuge, a skuIk.
| Reporter-Do you think he will accept your
| offer to try the case In New York;
| Moulton-Of course do not, since know he
doesn't mean to Try the case at all, unless he can
| play the game with loaded dice. II, however,
| no declines my challenge to try the case In New
| York, every Intelligent man will bis object
meaning ~ run away from tridl, or to get a
dishonest trial.
Rspor;er-Do you think AN impartial Jury
| could be got In the city Of New York;
| houlton-U Undoubtedly The details OF the
| scandal have been much more generally read
| and pondered In the country than IN tue city The
! convictions OF people In the cou ntry are much
more clear and obstnat g than In the city. Here,
| as general TACT, we catch only the main outline
Of news we read hurtiedly, and a great MANY
| things in rapid succession, aud one impress ION
Is soon enaced 10y another. In the country they
read at night, instead Of going to the theatre,
and they read SUNDAYS. and they ponder what
| they read. You will Ind that farmer in Frank
| lin Is far better Informed Il the facts Of the
| scandal than merchant In New YORK besides,
| In New Y ork we have a million Of people from
| whom TO draw jury, half VI whom. j vent re
| To say, have no opinion ABOUT the scandal
| Reporter-DJ you think
| Moulton-stopl Mr.. Beecher 10 doubtless in-
| huenced By auOther motive in carrying this case
| away into the wilderness. He does not want II
| manGuvre and manipulation will be detected
| and exposed. Now want this tried In he
| fullest blaze of publicity. l shall not seek a
verdict by any art or intrigue, and my part OF
the trial am willing should be published.
| Reporter-Do you think he case will be tried
| MOultOn-Most cert AiDuy (: for IL Is simply iin-
| possible that any Judge In the state Of New
| from this vicinity. when he knows SUCH change
| can only result In denying me any triai and
| when he knows that all Intelligent and impar.
| tai Jury may be readily obtained in the Ctty.