The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-04-16

the original OF rion vs. Bcccher In tho Brookyn
?" M
Eyes; think IL might II Is stiil pending. you
know. IL was never settled. No verdict rem
dercd.n
ExJrpGE PORTER.
Ex-Judgc Porter OF counsel tor Mr.. Beecner. was
called upon at tho Holman House. He had hoard
nothing OF tho letter, and did not think any written
acknowledgment OF quit had been made by
hrs Tilton. He would express no opinion whatever
on the subiecs iotssr It's possible
suits. insisting that he gave opinion on the
merits or dement's Of hypothetical case or one with
which he was not connected. When asked II he
thought an acknowledgment OF guilt on The
part OF Mrs. Titon would bring tho mat
ter Into the courts again, he said no did
not think It would. Mr. Triton, he said. sued
Nr. Beecher, and his wife could not appear on tho
stand for her husband During tho trial and since
however, she had repeatedly asserted her Innocence
OF tho crime wnh which sho indirectly charged
Her contradictions nov OF her former assertions could
not affect the TO bring about another trial
When asked u hs knew whether or no any Efforts to.
ward reconciliation had boon made by Mr. or Mrs.
Ttor, he replied that no had neither OF the par
tics since tho trial could say on what forms
they we're at present. As to whether he would con-
sent TO appear again counsel in the II the trisl
wcro to be resumed he declined to state. Tho only
statement he willing make that the report
OF Mrs. riton's confession nows to MIN and that
he dsscrcdited IT,
.9 OLIVER JOHNSON
Mr. Oliver johnson, who associated with Thco-
dorc Triton In the editorial ement OF tho Inde-
pendent, and who figured somewhat conspcuously In
she Beechcr trial. has boon for about years past
a resident OF Orange. N J., whore no is engaged in
Journalistic pursuits
~ place no credcnoc whatever In any such confess
sion," SAID Mr.. johnson most cmphatically when
found last evening. .Who will believe a woman who
coniesses Inc same thing shc has repeatedly and
smphatoaily ccnieda Mr.. Bscchor won't that
much for It," aud Mr johnson snapped his angers In
contemptuOus manncr ''it win not ancct HIM in
the least"
'.Bu, VIVA. can have induced Mrs. Til.ou to mako
the con fession ?" asked tho reporter.
"why - replied Mr. Johnson, and sarcastic smile
pla, cd about his lips, "she has Likely been hircd
with strong emphasis on tho insinuation 'hirodJ
TO make what you pleased to call a confession"
MT johnson added that no felt sorry the old trouble
was being brought up again. lie knew Mr. and Mrs.
riIton In better aud happier days, but limos had
changed and no would protest against having his
associated, directly or indirectly, with tho old
scandal He doubted the genuincness OF the written
confession, hut should it DO genuine he could only
repeat that Mrs. Ttop, having repeatedly denied what
she fesses. deserved confidence, and could
not, in tho romotest degree. ipjuro Mr.. Beooher's
character
EPIroME or THE pEEcnER-TrLroH SCANDAL
Tho readers OF tho HERALD will DO surprised this
morning by tho revival OF scandal which all
lovers OF public morality had hoped and believed
buried forever in tho past. The celebrated
Beecher-Tnoa which occupied tho attention
Of the whole country during the long trial that took
plsoo In 1875 seems about to DO revived again
on new and decidedly sensational basis. All
will remember the details OF this cause celsbrc
which nrs, became public IN tho columns OF a
paper published by Mrs Victoria Woodruff.
The article then printed purpor,ed to DO a summary
OF certain confessions mado by Mrs. Tton regarding
her criminal intimacy with the Rev. Horny
Ward Beecher. pastor Of Plymouth Churoh.
Tho Church appointed . Committee Of Invesslga-
ton which took testimony bearing on tho case
including statement from Mrs. Triton. In which she
denied tho truth OF tne allegations published Al
though this committee had legal It's sessions
attracted the widest interest and seem to have fur
nssncd the basis Of the litigation that followed.
These proceedings wcrc taken In the form OF suit
for damages by Theodore Tilton against Mr..
Bcecher for adultery. The csss was triea
before Judge Ncilson. Of tho Superior Court
OF Brookiyp, and lasted for nearly six months
most nauseatng details of evidence for both sides
To say society," aud particularly that Brooklyn
and Now York, was moved TO It's centre would DO
TO give but faint idea Of tho excitement that pro
vsilcd. Families wcre divided on the question OF
Mr. Boccher's guilt innocence OF tho charges and
even tho grave POLITICAL questions OF tho day
were overshadowcd In the public minds by
the s.Becchsr Case" During tho trial Mrs. Til,on,
who had separated IRON her husband, resided
under tho protection OF Mr.. Bccchor's friends. and
took q decided part IN defending him. She at
tended tho trial every DAY. aud would have gwen
evidence In hts favor n tho law recognized her
AZ n competent witnoss After the evidence was
closed she iinpiored tho court to grant her
a hearing, but denied her request The principal
points OF tho evidence tho plaintiff wcro IN proof OF
the alleged crminny Letters wr,ton by Mr.. Bescher
and spparently bearing on tho read and
crcatod extraordinary sensation, as their language
cxtravagant In sentiment and expressive OF
triton for wrong tho nature Of which
clearly defined. Mrs. rinou's brother. Rich
srds, gsvo evidence that weighed very heavily
public opinion as against Mr. BoecheT
but failed 10 provo anything positive. Both
Tiltou and Bcscher testified at great length, and
OF course their statements directly
Trajectory regarded tho basis Of tho case.
The "Mutuai Friend" Mr.. MouIton and his wife,
also khVc AtTOng cviucnco against Mr bcccuoF,
but met with strong rebu,sing Testimony.
The stunning up OF tho caso marked by eloquent
denunoiations Of Mr. Deechcr by Tiiton's lawyers.
and by inc equally powerful appeals IN hts favor
by his counsel, tho chief Of wnom was Secretary
Of State Evaris, then engsged In private practice.
The jury, alter having been locked up Tor several
days, faiied 10 sgrce and discharged Thus tho
was never decided and dropped By tho prose-
cution.
Growing out OF the trial OF Mr.. Beecher several
otner suits arose, two OF which criminal prose-
cutona against witnesses Tor perjury Mono
OF these, however camc TO trial. The case
OF Dir. Bsechsr was subsequently discussed before
q congregational council representing tho principal
churches Of the denomination and 10 take ac-
ton the question IRON ecclesiastical stand
point This body Endorsed tho previous action
OF Plymouth Church In cxoncrsting Mr..
Bescher. but the sessions called forth very warm
discussion between OF ,ts members. nun.
Der Of prominent Congregational churches In Brook
,t.o