New-York tribune., 1879-03-27
MIR. TALMAGE ON TRIAL.
TESTIMONY BY A SINGLE WITNESS.

TESTIMONY BY A SINGLE WITNESS.
uR. RrMISGToN's DIRECT EXAMINATION FIN
IsHFD AND HIS CRoss-ExAMISA1IoN BEGUN
CERTAIN INTERVIEWS WITH Mr.. TALMAGE
RULED oUT-TmE WITNESSES RELATIONS TO
MR.. TALMAGE AND TIE CHRISTIAN AT WORK.
Mr. Remington's direct examination by the
counsel who are prosecuting the Rev. Mr.
Talmage was finished yesterday, and Dr.
Spear began the cross-examinatiOn. There
was q long argument on the admission IN
evidence of certain interviews with Mr.. TAI
mage, and they were ruled out by the mod
orator. Mr.. Crosby appealed from the decision,
and the appeal was lost by vote of eleven
TO eighteen. DR.. Van Dyke gave notice that
he would present to-day formal protest
against the action taken on this question.
MUCH DEBATE AND LITTLE TESTIMONY.
THE LEADING FEATURE OF THE DAY-A MOTION TO
CONDUCT THE TRIAL WITH CLOSED DOORS.
Comparatively little progress was made in the
trial Yesterday The direct examination was al
most constantly interrupted by the defendants
counsel, who interposed objection after objection.
Mr. Crosby contended that such trial could not he
conducted on strictly legal basis, and promised to
allow the largest liberty to the other side II the
same favor was accorded to him and his associate
This however, did not serve to lessen the number
of interruptions on the part of Messrs. spear ana
Millard, who seemed resolved to make use OF every
technicality of the law.
The prncipal feature of the day was tine debate
which occurred upon the offer of certain evidence
by Mr. Crosby, who desired to introduce interviews
with Mr.. Talmage published in varions papers soon
after the latters withdrawal from The Christian at
U,ork in which Mr.. Talmage was reported as
acter Of Mr.. Remington and others. d.
Spear spoke at length in opposition to the
admission Of such evidence If such testimony
was allowed he said the Presbytery wOuld become
a aby-word and q Kissing everywhere. DR.. Spears
manner in speaking is very striking. He is tail
with iron-gray beard and long white hair and
speaks with great earnestneSs and emphasis. In
replying to his argument Mr. Crosby intmated that
DR. Spear had been coached" IN regard to the laws
of evidence "by the District-AttOmey," with sig
nifcant glance in the direction of United states
District-Attorney Tenney. who sat directly behind
Dr. Spear. The audience smiled and MI Ienney
looked confused. The moderator decided to eX-
clude the evidence and Nj. Crosby Immediately
appealed from the decision. Much interest was
manifested during he taking Of the vote, which
resulted in the loss of the appeal by avote OF eleven
to eighteen No sooner had the result been an
nounced than Dir. Van Dyke sprang to his feet.
"Mr. Moderator" he exclaimed, "will you allow
me to give an official noticep He repeated the
question twice, hastily. Permission being granted
he said: 81 Ssish to give notice that l Will enter
protest against the decision of the PresbyteTy to-
morrow and will state my reasons therefor" AS
DR.. Van Dyke sat down. the moderator remarked,
in an undertone that " battle had been fought"
The only witness examined was Elphaiet Rem
ington. who was on the stand at the adjournment
on Tuesday. His direct examination was COM
pleted and his crOSs-examinatlOn begun by DIT.
Spear. He testified that he had stated that Mr.
Talmage did great wrong to him and those associ-
ated with him in the ownership of The Christian at
Work in Withdrawing from the editorShip as he did'
Nevertheless the witness cherished no lll-will to-
ward Mr. Talmage. A letter written to the witness
by Mr. Talmage was put in evidence 1t was dated
October .. 1876, and announced that Mr. Talmage
would retire from the paper in thirty days. lhe
envelope. however, showed that ii was not posted
until II p. m. on October 8, the day on which the
announcement of his retirement was inserted IN the
paper.