New-York tribune., 1878-11-20
TILE Vanderbilt WILL CASE.

|
yERsTY-wARM DISCUSSION OVER TIE ADMis-
| SION OF TESTIMONY IN REGARD TO THE COM
MODORE's SECOND WIFE.
The case Of the prOpOnent IN the vanderbilt
will case opened yesterday by the calling OF Bishop
H. y. McTyeire OF the Methodist Episcopal Church,
President OF the Board Of Trustees Of the Vanderbilt
University. Mr. Clinton about to proceed tn the eN-
animation when Judge Black inquired whether the coun-
sci did not propose TO make formal opening OF their
case was very remarkable If they were 20 20 on with
out indicating the character OF their defence. Mr. Cn-
ton SAID that he didn't propose to waste time IN speech
making; they had the right to 20 on without making
any further explanation The Surrogate sand that 1t was
an uncommon method but there was nothing to pro-
hibt them from proceeding
Tie examination then began. Bishop McTycre was
asked to give the particulars o. conversations that lie
had had with Commodore Vanderbilt in regard 10 the
Vanderbilt University while the witness was visiting IN
NewYork In the Spring OF 1873. The Bishop said that
his wife aud the COmmOdOre's wife were daughters OF
half sisters The witness sick and the Commodore
visited him IN his
The witness in q deliberate gave the cireun-
stapccs Of the interviews. "The Commodore one day,
no sad broke IN with How much IS land worth around
Nashylle-liud suitable for unycrsty-and can good
sites be prucurrdl' Ianswered HIM He asked me II
he were 10 undertake to found college there would
take charge u H. giving up the office OF Bishop IN the
Church ! told him | couldn't do that How much do
you get from the Church, he asked told him $4,000
year lie said: L pay salaries OF $4,000 To some men,
I told hun | could probably do more for the
institution as bishop and II would not De ID
compatible with the position to I'LL tie place
or Presdeut Of the Board OF Trustees. 'Oh no. he
sad / won't let any work for me for nothing You
can't afford it, lie asked Inc what my dea OF unlyer-
,ity wls how many professors were needed wnat
ou h TO Ne paid them how many colleges there were
in the sou what their cndOwmeuts and Incomes were
etc lie said i think you need this thing down there
IN the south. II Is common when man founds
library OF college for blm stick 1t down in New
York where have plenty of them He asked me II
would accent the presidency Of the college and be to II
what he was TO the NewYork Central and the Harlem
70 keep things steady. told him that 1t would DC Det-
Ter to leave that open lie said Not bit OF IT, I'VE
had enough OF that lie suggested that the presluehI
should have veto power keep the trustees from run
ming away with me. Then lie asked II he had given me
power enough to manage them. He asked me to make
notes Of what WAS needed. The morning left found
on ny table the letter in which the gift OF the university
was made, and the terms were specified thanked nm
when SAW him next and told him he would have the
rrlyers Of al Southern Christians He said he would
need them all told MIN that the people would claim
the right to the university after him. lie answered
that he had nothing do with that they might do as
they pleased"
The wl:ncss then related subsequent interviews with
The Commodore In regard TO the completion OF the ar
raugcmtuts Tho Commodore repeatedly desired that
that no proper should be spared because OF
Lack OF funds. once when the witness expressed fear
that necessary would be rendered impossible be-
cause Of want OF money the Commodore told him to 20
on aud finish the work and "trust to Providence"
And the strength of that" continued the witness
amid laughter, % did go and trust to Providence
$4,000 worth" When the witness visited the Commo
ore IN S the latter suggested that the Bishop should
visit Yale College and Cornell University to see how
they did things there" Once he asked the witness II
they owed any money. The answer that there was
one outstanding note for 5000.
How much interest do yOu pay asked the COmmO
dore The answer was 10 per cent -. ,,,.,,,,
"iTon per cent! Why you Oughn't to pay IL ten min
utes. Bishop, what are you thinking ot. using my
money pay ten per cent! II this Is the way you are
SSi.S oaii4S u -"'1'' ''''"' ''', 'D'''' ~ -
Then the Commodore suddenly became quiet and
slttins down SAID Do you know, Bishop that II Il
high rates OF interest that raining this cOuntryi
and then for no long time Take three going into
business with $4,000 each, aud let one OF them lend
than twenty years he win have it all" lLanghler
You needn't be troubled about this note the Bishop
said be told him just as soon as get home snail
draw on you Tor the amount" william H. vanderbilt
ioined III the laughter at tOis answer.
DRAMATIC SCENE IN THE COURT RooM
On cross-cxamination by Mr. Lord the witness said
thai he was introduced to Commodore Vanderbilt by
Mrs Vanderbilt or by Mrs Crawford When the witness
first became acquainted with the CommOdores wife she
was known by tie name of Mrs. Frank Armstrong
Crawford.
o.-Do YOU know that Mrs Vanderbilt had husband
by the name OF Elliott, and that he Is still vingi
Mr.. Clnton-we object Do you want TO try that di-
vorce over aglini
Some authorities cited on the point and the Sur
rogatc NImued and read them.
Then Judge Black rising and speaking slowly and un-
Der evident embarrassment said "This Is not rinng
matter. Here is a eighty years old marrying
woman iy years his junior, who came here stran
nff.,.r from " IN ia at
living That there should have been bitter
ness felt toward this woman by the COmmodore's
daughters, some OF whom were already grandmothers,
and that this feeling should have turned the heart OF the
her against them are natural results But there was
one exception in the family William IL. Vanderbilt en-
conra ged the marriage and continued TO show much
regard for the though she had not done the
injury Of marrying tho Commodore in his dotage But
the aggrayatOn Is immense II in addition 10 showing the
distress and hatred that this marriage caused show
that It was unlawful and that, therefore, whatever in-
fence Mrs Vanderbilt exerted was undue
There are words struggling for ucrance here" con-
tinucd Judge Black, much moved, that am compelled
To restrain, and suppose have made bungle Of ii
but your Honor must unders and what mean. That
srangrr should sell herself TO tais Old for his
money taking advantage Of that weakness Of his nature
Is not u reason why will made under such circum-
stances should be allowed to stand"
Judge Black sat down aud buried his flushed face in
his hands.
Mr. Choate said that the record Of the court showing
that Mrs. Vanderbilt WAS legally separated from her
husband could be produced necessary but he thonght
they should be protected from any further base and
founded charges against pure woman. In regard 10
| matters that we're not material to the
The Surrogate ustained the objection.
The scene In court during the above argument was re-
markab.e Mrs. La Bau went over and sat down by the
lawyers desk where she could look Judge Black In the
| face There she watched him closely while he was
talking, only occasionally casting her eyes toward VIII
liam IL. Vanderbilt. The latter appeared affected Or
he
| deed, while Mr. Gh0ate talking. he e1aculhted,
That's true The counsel anu all Interested IN the