New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-02-21
THE PLYMOUTH COUNCIL.

MIR. BOWEN FURTHER CONSIDERED.
MP nrECugR DESCRIBES HER PAST FRIENDSHIPS
AND HIS AsTONIsHuFNT Ar. AIR. BOwEN'S H.
sIXUAnoNs-THE ThPAETITE AGREEMENT-AP-
POINiMEST OF HE PLYMOUTH INVESTIGATING
COMMITTEE - TRACING MALARIAL bUMoRS -
HENRY W. sAGE's STATEMENTS CONCERNING
THE COMMITTEE ANONYMOUS LETTERS RE-
CEIvED by DIR. BACON.
The Plymouth Advisory Council was in open SEES
sion GA Saturday from $3.50 a. IN. to 1870 p M IL
then went into secret session and adjourned before
3 o'clock ill y. to-day. when 1T is expected mat
the reports of some of the special committees VIII
be made. 1t is said that the Sixth Committee Will
suggest "A verbal alteration to tho sixth question.
which will change the expression dropping mem-
Der" to withdrawing watch, care, and fellowship"
1t was expeoted that the proceedings preparatory
70 going into secret session would bring out several
matters of interest and the church was filled with
the largest audience yet seen at morning session.
Mrs. Beecher's white hairs and watchtul counte-
nance the center of the usual group OF ladies IN
the west gallery. A small vase of exotics was OH
the Modeart0r's table. Mr.. BeecheTs powers showed
no impairment after the strenuous demands OF the
four previous days. and in response TO questions fir IN
the Council lac made short speeches OF great signt
canoe and force. Early in the morning he intro
duced Henry W. Sage of the Investigating Commit
Sage answered questions concerning the work
and personal views Of the Committee, and
was emphatic in regard to it- desire TO give al
who could offer information an opportunity
To speak lie sail the. Committee. TO his knowledge
never authorized Mr.. Claim to confer with Mr.
Bowen about the desirability OF calling him as
witness that he himself was satisfied by the
tripartite agreement OF the grouudess character OF
bIr Bowens previous insHuatioIs, and that he was
sure that while the members of the Committee were
personal friends Of Mr.. Blecher, they loved the
purity Of the church and truth mOio than they
loved their pastor. Mr. BeeCher produced deep I'M
preston when in explaining the presence OF Nh.
Cleveland on the Committee as being best acquainted
with the sources OF the scandal, ho said there
was a dismal swamp out of which came malarial
rumors >but no one could get at the bottom Of them
When explored nothing was got from the swamp
but an oninous croak, without charges or state
ments. With moStened eyes he told his previous
affection for Mr. Bowen; how they had been es-
tIanged 10y business troubles, how they had become
reconciled, aud how Mr. Bowen had broken faith
and he declared after all his trials. that the old
feeling OF friendship was not extinct ana only
needed token of good faith to bo restored.
Mr. Beecher called John T. Howard to the plat
form to give the substance of an interview with Mr.
Bowen at the house of Mr.. Freeland, and Mr.. Bow
ems statement that he possessed of knowledge
which could drive Mr.. Beecher from Brooklyn
Mr. Beeeher by calling attention to an omission in
the published reports, brought out prominently the
fact that according to Mr.. Bowers own memoran-
dam the interview with Mr.. Clailin. of which Dir.
Bowen has spoken took place ~ days after the Ply
mouth Investigating Committee had flashed taking
testimony. He also challenged any one having any
document written by him. or which related TO him.
to produce it. DIR. Bacon created m0mcntdTy ex-
element by announcing the receipt Of anonymous
letters, Intended to influence tho Counci and which
were full of destinations against r. Beechor These
letters arc to DO investigated.