The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-01-28
THE SCANDAL CONTENTION.
TIE Proposed Inveriigntion BY Congregation
aIists Of the Beecher Case.
Rom chicago T,nss Report m an IniS,riep Utth
ISf( Butfiff.

nom chicago ngg.s, R,p9,t n a" I"'''r'e' VI"
Prof Bartlett said: "The propriety OF
holding a congregational convention 10 investi-
gate tho IiceChcr scandal has boon alluded 10 ny
various parttes from whom ! have received
letters. but the suggestiOn has never assumed
definite shane or form. I receive numbers uf
tentative letters dai from all parts OF tho
country rel tive to this uniirr. Hero are four
or i've now that | have not mad time to open.
The general sentiment Is that fuller and more
sati. factory inNc-tigatton should be II q than
has been Or G. ~ Toe made IN the .urts. There
are many VINO think that much evidence
has heretofore hecu ruled ont that Oulht to
woull rkc to- hear Mr.. and Mr- Iicnnrds
tell their story. l'nwen ought to have
OPPORTUNITY to ten what he knows. SHOULD
Ike To ask Mr.. Muulton To- state the Nact Ian.
cunrc that was us Il by MIR. ~ cch"r and herself
u. the time Hhe II inns he cont, ssed his guilt to
her 50 that might ascertain whether II was
capable OF any other construction or internreta-
tion ia ~ that which she places uponit Isuould
core nothing about general impressions. and
mutual Understandings, aud all that. The ex-
act words should ic heard over again. And
then there arc other witnes.rs whose evidence
WIS ruled out ON toe late clvil thai Who nave a
right to bo heard. Never, until all these Wit
nrsscs have y Ell given fir opp irtunitl to tell
what they know. viii the masses re satisfied uf
MIR. Beecnet's Innocence. Attcrwatd If his iu-
uOcchce Is established, no man will have the
breathe one word against HIM. The quicker
TINS lave tlg ton Is had the better, and tnink
MIR. Is echcr ought to encourage H. sincerely
wish tn no may he aplr to fully esta1lish his
iunuceucc.
~ am ftco to say that when thi. scandal as
suned ucnnitc shipc, aud whila only tIe safe
mcntS oi tie WUniu Woodruff were before the
public, made haste to convey to Mr.. Becchcr
my sympdhl, but tnat state OF thiues soon
Ih~std HWay. ana the charges became so direct
aud definite a. not ~ be put aside. when the
trial cnne, / commenced reading the daily re-
port with "a strong prejudice against Iiltnn, be-
ICvinu tn4t he had COu-prcI 70 ruin MI. brCth-
Cr NV theory Wus that ne had ~ nrst assumed
q threat, mug altitude Tor the purpose uf CONF
yrl.ing Brcchcr ami u wen to h,lp HIM out ~
HE news hpcr troubles, ana had never in
tcnIed 10 press tue matter so r rs It
lad gone, but Finding at | ~ that he
h d to mako good nis iusinnltions or be
pressed 10 the wall b. dcsperdcly resolved to
ia1Wd the attempt. For ua,s and we ks and
months ! cude yoted t. cling to this theory,
alta aGNan'ru ID TO numerous uJuhtfug clergy
men VINO wero gradually losing taith In Nr.
Bcecncr frrtiy early in the y the tditurs ~
tuo ifr Nsc began to lu-c I itn. and were
t,mptvd geo announce 10, but laborcd ussiuu-
ou~lY with them, showing them bow they might
he mistaken, an illus, ,hink. post Doncd their
ADVERSE uettarliions for some Time. | must
confess. however, tuat - tn triu prOEresseG
u,N belief M the conspiracy theory bo-an to
aiken. The complete Nindtratinn of Mir.
lieccner that had sp confidently looked for,
utd tot ,ome. / NOW dasite that fun invest.
cation should be made"