The New York herald., 1876-02-11
BEECHER AND BOWEN.
Henry G. Before the Plymouth
Examining Committee.
HE REFUSES TO SPECIFY THE CHARGES.

met last evening at the residence Of Rev ; b HAM
day for the purpose OF hearing Mr. Bowen should he
consent TO appear and for the purpose OF preparing
report to be made to Plymouth church this evening
whether he appeared not Inc oehel mad
been that Mr. Bowen would not appear IN
person, but would, as before send in response In
writing When the time for the meeting arrived, how
ever, Mr. Bowen appeared in person, with his short
hand reporter and awaited events The first difficulty
was as TO permitting Mr. Bowen's reporter to take
notes OF the meeting, and on the plea that the COM
nttee had offered to unite with him in having
official reporter present and that they had there
to take a shorthand report o: all the proceedings Mr.
Bowen's reporter excluded. From the time of the
retirement Of Mr.. Bowens reporter the proceedings
were nomnally, and by agreement Of the committee,
strictly private, will be seen below.
Amer a session OF about two hours and half an
adjournment reached, and the reporters seized
upon the individuals OF the committee Mr.. Bowen and
others. to the following elect
EDWARD REEcHER, u D.,
answered inquiries to what had been done by saying
ahat really the proceedings had been lengthy that be
could not give report in detail, even If he felt at
liberty TO do so; but the report had been
taken in full by Official reporter, and would
he read the meeting Friday night he felt that it
was only necessary to say that they had met as per
notice; that Mr. Bowen had appeared, and that in
had asked for time make such response as he
desired The committee therefore adjourned and
would report the whole matter to The church on Friday
evening.
was also called on though he mad not been present at
the meeting OF the committee. He repeated, III sub
stance what his brother had said adding, by way of
accounting Tor us brevty, that the committee had de-
ed n no be hest not TO have the report go out piece
meal, but as whole, and that, as whole, it would
be read TO the meeting on an intimaton from the
reporter that bef report would doubtless be received
froVa hpdv Mr. mid hat pa thor
1zed report would be likely TO be one-sided, he
thought the public would be better satisfied with fun
view OF all that had been said and done.
Committees WORK.
On leaving the committee Mr. Bowen proceeded di
rcctly TO his house, where he was interviewed By
HERALD reporter and made the following statement
81 went before the Examining Committee Of Plymouth
church tonight IN accordance with the summons re-
ceVeu yesterday was accompanied oy my Two sons
Henry h and f. A.. and stenographer. When We
entered Mr.. Halliday's house found assembled
that gentleman, Dr Edward Beecher d. M Cleveland,
s " White, DR.. W. H. Ward Brothers BLAIR and I'll
ney and stenographer. Several members Of the COM
mttee objected TO my stenographers presence
They claimed that l had previously asked
for sienographer and that they had
sent me the names of several from which TO choose
who should act official senographer for both par
ties and that had refused to DO
stonographer as they had one present. but they
voted TO expel my stenographer and TO retain their
own My reporter then Withdrew.
''Mr Iilney theu aid:-'Mr Bowen, have called
you on which you have made charges against Mr.
Beecber, anc~ye are now ready to hear you / then
read the following statement
BrookrrS Feb 10, 1870.
GEnrLNNEN Your communication Of February s, re-
eary Of he opinon' that the offence eharred in Mr..
Whites grievances nov exists IN the most aggravated
personal knowledge made infamous allegations and
Il is plain That you herein indorse MIR. Whites
grievances and ,SSs. Sda TO HEM iarther charge
, primary judicial body, which can only receive
thares made by others and decide them,
ibe functions Of plaintiff OF attorney hes
nate 70 characterize as seems 10 20 deserve, he posi-
lion Of which before beginning its trial, assumes my
Egilt and decides against me- II may wen be STONED
against your action in sumnonng me before yout
he distinctly formulated charges with specifications on
aorn me Won have already peiudced ln y c,se Int leave
ne 10 Gull ont here and there from your letter the
Try me This does not appear 70 e So be the position that
hsy protest against your precipitancy in csng ap
'ear ior trial on but single day notee You will hardly
Mere Presbyterian should be allowed at least ten days
aud collect the testimony IN my defence hInk that
s"snHs sd is NV ,nronnr trhaps DO nor boVsver
,ALe 20 take adyuntsse Of what appears 70 me
any way 70 avoid ali The Interrogation You may desire
h ,nS1eSne % nyw t Pe. s1p n 70 so
copetS San could be Hse before V
,omInittee constituted yours is
You viii remember shat in referring TO portion Of the
Edene which had led me 70 an nSaysTa6le Judgment 81
be pastor Of tiymogtn ehure sala never can OF S wl
he world" Ii almost certain that the questions which
Identification OF the referred and to their being III
cent Whatever may be Consequences personally
Wearing therefore lest an investigation before your commit
zee should be inevitably incomplete and unsatisfactory
propose that three menNhin the Congregational body be
such Tor example, as President Woosey President Asa a.
Enn ii,ssps Hsr,y aS Inc uon julius M sseve men IN M
whose decision she world viii feel confidence who shall be
pledged - keep al such evidence sacred before whom only
NJ seecher and myself shah with witnesses,
and before whom win consent without what
si. % & ~ % 49, Ia ~ me- - NV tss ~ "a bsvn ~ nn IA nbt me NJ
rItl 4
nothng more than that they shall iuy eondsr The cues
eeesaseal ee9snse for my previous silence in reference 70
y in making what You cali my Infamous ale.
cations and insnastion about him made m response 60
an wiling to ses % y a sDs or Q, vii qe &
mated about Henry Ward BeOehor IN previous COMMENT
ssrbrnsl Very respectfully. HENRY Z BOWEN.
Ar nlnoy then said we are not here to night to
hear any suggestions from you We ask you TO re-
peat all the facts known 10 you against the pastor Of
Plymouth church
Mr. Bowen said--Is my proposition refused? The
Facts called for involve incidents and names which
all should be screened from the public, and
therefore have made this proposition desiring that the
investigation shall be complete, and that nothing may
be concealed or evaded.
Mr. Blair said tins was not a case between Bowen
and Beecher, but between Bowen and the church. and
that should not be withdrawn from the church and
carried before strangers
partisan Of either Bowen or Beecher, but with
desire TO know the character Of his pastor,
The church We desire 70 know the true character OF
pastor and to have the 60 before strangers
Mr. Bowen sRid:-When Mr.. 5. V. White called on
me az my Office in New York some weeks ago he
stated positively that he had made no charges
against lie made the same remark the presence
oI the committee. He wanted me then 20 listen, as
he alleged 30 his statement Of grievances TO hear my
reply 70 the same, and receive the advice Of the COM
mlttce.
Mr. Tlney said In answer TO your statements viii
say an the new has been raised by yourself
We have summoned you here " hear what you have
Ey.
Mr. " White said II am not here to press this mat.
Ter tonight DO not object " p0stpOuement, but
mean TO press this matter finally.
Mr. Blair dit does not rest with MT > " " hte
10 withdraw bis charges delay Mr.. Bowen has
said be Is ready We want simply what IS OF MT
BOwcn's personal knowledge and not what he has
heard. He Is not competent 10 call witnesses We
want Mr.. Bowen to give just what Light he has per-