River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1876-03-09
Beecher objects 90 Secrecy and De-
mands Specific Charges.


mands Specific Charges.
The telegraph of the LIST brings another
nstallmept of the Beecher-B Bowen bust
ness, being the report Of the business
meeting Of Plymouth church TO hear
Bowen's answers to questions before the
church by the examining committee to
his charges against Beecher.
The examination commenced by mod.
orator Edgerton calling up a resolution
requiring Bowen to answer orally the
questions relative TO his insinuations
against the pastor.
A resolution by Mr.. Beecher, that the
examining committee conduct the quss.
tioning was passed.
The clerk Of the church, Mr., Tilney,
then asked Bowen, who, with his sons
and DR.. Wood, IF the Independent, sat
in the front seat When did any facts
first come to your knowledge affecting
the moral character Of the pastor!
Bowen. The essential facts are already
in the hands of the examining committee.
All the church has TO do is to demand
them from the committee. As long as
the church refuses TO hear what it has in
its own hands, il is mere bravado to ask
more.
Tilney. would say we have not re-
ceived single fact from Bowen. APP
| plause
Mr.. Bowen here took off his overcoat,
and said when he was before the examin.
ing committee he had enough to convince
him of Beecher's guilt, but he could not
lie, and was compelled to be silent.
Laughter. The consequences fell on
him and Beecher-on Beecher as penal.
ty, and on him for bringing his confidence
to leaky vessel. Laughter.
A member here called attention to the
fact that Bowen was reading from paper
whereas he was summoned to answer
orally.
Bowen (angrilyl. | have the floor.
The member. Bowen knows what the
invitation means, and he ought to be com
PEELED to answer orally.
Brother Raymond moved as this was
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 nc
| judicial power. When man was so long
a member as brother Bowen, he ought to
have his own way. Applause.
Bowen was then allowed to proceed.
He read from his written statement that
he knew what was sufficient to convince
him of Beecher's guilt. Let the conse'
quences be what they might, and lei
them fall on him and Beecher--on him
for his indiscretion in pouring his conf.
dence into leaky vessel, and on BeecheI
for his guilt. The examining committee
compelled him against his will to tell the
reasons for his silence. He told them he
had reasons for believing Mr.. Beecher to
be an impure man, and that he could tell
the reasons before proper tribunal, but
that he would never give names. Taking
advantage of this the church COMMITTEES
demanded all the names and PARTICULARS
He then offered TO go before secret tri.
buual, which was refused. He then went
before the committee, giving the facts
F, force was used, and, seeing how Mrs.
Moulton suffered, they might demand
eternally, but he would refuse.
A member injured whether Bowen
still refused to give the names and facts.
Bowen (excitedly). do; and that is
my final answer. 1t is no benefit to me
to be silent, but must and will protect
these names to the best of my power
But if you still demand all the name,
and particulars
Mr.. Beecher. When you have got
through with your question | will an
swer.
MIR. Bowen then offered to go before
Mr.. Mckay, Mr.. Garbut OF Mr.. s. V
White. and give them the facts that very
moment which convinced him Beechel
was an adulterer, the names to be KEEP
secret.
Mr.. Beecher objected to secrecy. No
giving the names of women so long deaC
left other names open to suspicion. APP
plause. He protested against secrecy
He had no reason for it. Applause.
s. v. White objected to receiving tn,
gross accusations against the pastor anC
keeping them secret. Applause.
Brother Mckay urged that Mr.. Beechel
had as much interest as any one in thu
facts, and that Brother Bower should
tell what he knew or take back all accu
sations against the pastor.
Brother Sherman said they we're MOI
answerable for the sly insinuation. They
wanted to make the brother answerabl'
while he was alive. He (BoweB) GOO
down everlastingly damned unless HI
makes out his case.
Mr.. Sherman proposed to accept Mr.
Bowen's proposition, the committee t
keep all names secret except from Mr.
Beecher.
Mr.. Beecher objected to star chamber
proceedings, HIS tongue was not tied
He had lain under that thing as long al
he cared to- Applause.
Mr.. Bowen here handed up a note Il
the effect that he would meet the tire,
gentlemen named and give them the factI
which convinced him long sgo thar
Beecher was an adulterer, only asking
that the names be kept absolutely secret
He moved that the committee pledg,
themselves TO absolute secrecy, etc, anC
a pledge Of honor TO him.
MIR. Beecher said he hoped that thii
was not To prevent parties being present
by friends or counsel.
Bowen. | will not accept that.
Einoey the RevIvaIist.