The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1876-03-02
RoMen,s Examination.

this evening TO hear II. C. Bowen's ar
swers 10 questions before the church b
the Examining Committee as TO hi
charges against Beecher.
A letter in reply to an invitation c
Andover Theological Seminary for mu
tual council, rejecting the offer, was rca
by Beecher and adopted.
Mr.. Edgerton, the Moderator, the
called up the resolution requiring Bowe
to answer orally questions relative to hi
insinuations against the pastor.
A resolution, by Mr.. Beecher, that til
Examining Committee conduct the ques
tions was passed.
The 'clerk Of the church, Mr.. Tilney
then asked Bowen, who with his sons, an,
DR.. Bacon OF the Independent, sat in from
When did any facts come to you
knowledge affecting the moral characte
OF the pastor?
Mr.. Bowen-The essential facts are al
ready in the hands Of the Examining
Committee. All the church has to do i
to demand them from the Committee. A
long as the church refuses to hear wha
it has in its hands 1t is mere bravado tC
ask me.
Mr.. Tilney, Clerk-In reply ! wQult
say that we have not received single
fact from Bowen. [Applause.
Mr.. Bowen here took Off his overcoat
and said that when he was before the Ex
ecutivc Committee he had enough to con
vince him, but he could not lie and wa
compelled to be silent. [Laughter.l The
consequences fell on him and Beecher--
on Beeehcr as penalty and on him fol
bringing his condolences 10 n leaky vessel
Laughter.
A member here called attention to the
fact that Bowen was reading from pa
per, whereas he was summoned to an
swer orally.
Mr.. Bowen (angrily) Il have the
floor.
The member--Mr. Bowen knows what
the invitation means, and he ought TO be
compelled to answer orally.
Brother Raymond moved, as this was
probably the last time Bowen would be
heard, that he be allowed to read
Laughter.
Mr.. Beecher interposed, and said the
church was household; they had no ju'
dicial power. When man was SO long
member us Brother Bowen he ought 10
have his own way. Applause.
Mr.. Bowen was then allowed to pro-
coed. He said that he knew what was
sufficient 10 convince him OF Beecher's
guilt, let the consequences be what they
may, and let them fall on him and on
Beecher-on him for his indiscretion
in putting his confidence in a leaky
and unsafe vessel, and on Bsecher
for his guilt. The Examining Commit.
tee compelled him against his will to tell
his reasons for his silence. He told
them he had resons for believing Beechel
to be an impure man and he could tell
his reasons before a proper tribunal, but
that he would never give the names
Taking advantage Of this the Church
Committee demanded all the names and
particulars. He then offered to go be-
fore secret tribunal, which was refused
He then went before the committee
giving the facts but withholding the
names Though force was used, and seeing
how Mrs. Moulton suffered they might
demand cternally, but he would refuse
A member here questioned whether
Bowen refused to give the names.
Bowen excitedly: do and that is my
full answer. Its no benefit 10 nc 10 be
silent, but must and will protect those
names to the best OF my power, but if you
still demand the names.
Mr.. Beecher, when you have got
through with your question will answer
Mr.. Bowen then offered TO go before
Mr.. Mckay, Mr.. Garbett and Mr.. S. V.
White aud give them the facts which
convinced him that Mr.. Beecher was
guilty, the names 10 be kept secret.
Mr.. Beecher objected to secrecy. Civ
ing the names Of women so long dead left
other names open to suspicion. Zap
plause.) He protested against secrecy
he had no other reason for it.
S.V. White objected to receiving gross
accusations against pastor and keeping
them secret.
Brother Mckay urged that Beecher
had as much interest rs any one in the
facts, and that Brother Bowen should tell
what he knew or take back all his accu'
sations against their pastor.
Brother Shearman said they were moi
answerable Tor the charges; they wanted
to make the brother answerable.
Mr.. White said that he Bowen) goes
down eyerlastingly damned unless lIe
makes out his case.
Mr.. Shearman proposed to accept Bow
ems proposition, the committee TO keer
all the names secret except from Mr.
Beecher.
Mr.. Beecher objected to star chamber
proceedings. His tongue was not tied. II,
had lain under that thing as long as HI
meant to.
Mr.. Bowen here handed up a note L
the effect that he would meet the three
gentlemen named and give them the fact,
which convinced him that Beecher was al
adulterer, only asking that the names bt
kept secret. He moved that the com
mittee pledge themselves to absolute
secrecy, &c., as pledge Of honor TO him
Mr.. Beecher said ne hoped this was mo-
to prevent the parties from being prcsen
by friends or counsel.
Mr.. Bowen-I will not accept that
Laughter.1
Mr.. Beecher-I don't want any counsel
Mr.. Shearmau-Insert Except Mr.
Beecher and his counsel"
Mr.. Bowen-I will not accept it
Laughter. l don't want six month
Investigation.
Mr.. Beecher-It is too bad for maj
that sat l5years at the communion tabl,
taking the bread and wine and knowing
as he says, that was an adulterer. Zap
plause.
The motion that the parties be presen
with counsel or friends was passed.
A motion by Mr.. Shearman that Bower
be allowed one lawyer orr more before tn
Committee was passed, Bowen crying
"No, no."
A motion to expel Bowen was met b!
Clarence Bowen with an amendment, ant
was ruled out.
A report Of the Examining Committe,
charging Bowen with slander, &C., wa
adopted, and committee Of three wer