New-York tribune., 1876-04-25
THE BEECHER COMMISSION.

IT'S COMP0sfTION-THE WORK OF THE CoNGhEGA-
rloxAL MINISTER'S COMMITTEE.
II will probably be several days before it IL
definitely known who will form the investigating Com
mission of Five empowered by the Advisory Council 10
weigh additional testimony II there be any, against te
moral character Of Heary Ward Btecher IL VIII lake
some time to communicate with the gentlemen who may
he the first choice Of the Commee OF Three. and to
learn II il will be convenient for them TO give their
time 10 the work. Though it ia deemed uncertain that
the Commission has any vital work to do, yet the deter
minaton (. TO make active working body OF II to meet
any possible emergency
The Rev. Dr L. Smith Hobart. who. with the Rev. r..
s stone and the Rev Samuel H. Virgin forms the Com
oittee apponted by the Association Of Congregational
Ministers 10 assist n laying testimony before the nvest
eating Commission, In conversation with TRIBUNE re-
porter yesterday, said they had done AL In
their power when they issued general can
for testimony, 10 further another inyesti-
cation. and thus far had attained nothing.
lie had incosed the Committees card to several persons
supp sed to know something OF the case and had re-
ceyed no answer whatever Mr.. Stone had gwen holce
10 Mrs Mouton Mrs Bradshaw, Mr.. and Mrs Richards
and Henry C. Bowen OF the wishes OF the committee,
but 40 far AZ he knew had received satisfactory an
swer He had gwen up all expectation OF gotuhg any
evidence Prof. smyth OF the Andovor Theological Sem
mary had said there were several persons who wouid
testify before mutual Congregational Council the
members OF the Committee had written to Prof. smyih
Ia snud them OF those persons, nul nv n"u
not responded. He thought Plymouth thfch hdu dhcn
wise step asking that the Commission be ecOnsutuvu,
aud that I'm doing had done all that courtesyio me
Advisory Council demanded. lie Thought IL very douDt-
mi and the feeling Of doubt grew upon ln II any cN
Io,ce ,youd brought before the Commission. At ono
ttme Dr Hobart said he had confidence That there was
unhcard testimony pertaining to the case But his ht
vas weakening daily, and II at the cnd OF
20 days no one appeared before tue lnVesuglunk
Commission with charges ana supporting tesIhun3,
ne Thought Plymouth Church would nave goou golh,us
for claiming lasting peace unless, indeed, honepout
should come forward and claim to have important test M
mony but at the same time refuse to lay u before tno
Of objection To MS cOlnposltoh "
such an event thought Plymouth Church iisnt, VIII
ouG disespect to the Advisory Council accept any ots
method OF investigation which promised 10 Drhs out "
the facts lie thought the Commission would ProNr
aInre from the Existence Of further testimony pus
il was yet possible that persons were WAITING 10 sec & H.
the men chosen for the Commission were suoi,
as would afford perfect fairness hnd con%,hhno % no
nubic confidence In his opinion any hye OUT OF no ~
placed the disposal OF the Committee Oh 1uh
secure fairness and confidence. lie did not think DOT
tom facts" 10 be looked fG beyond MIS- moullo'
Mrs Bradshaw, tho ri hardses and Henry Z. bowen
and he had made up his mind pretty fuy that MI
Bowen Me bottom fact" He said that thc coih,
fee of which he IL member had been misreprcsenteu as
seeking testimony 10 vndicate Mr.. Bcecher On the
contrary they seeking testimony 70 Nndshe ihe
truth whatever IL might be, but should DE Bsu W nhu
the truth on the side OF Christian morality.
Judge Fullerton, Of counsel for Francis d. Mouon III
bis suit against Henry Ward Beecher has decided 10
appeal from Judge Dykmans decision sustaining the
demurrer OF the defendant Yesterday the notice OF a
Beecher The argument the appeal Will take place
st tho General of the Supreme Court to be held at
Poughkeepse on May 8.