New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-04-15
HOW BEECHER WAS FINED
RECORD IN INDIANAPOLIS COURT OF
HIS PLEADING GUILTY TO FAILURE
TO REPORT MARRIAGES GOV
ERNOR RENTED THE FINE.

Indianapolis April 10 CspeciaD.-In the order book
n. the Marion Circuit Court which contains the
records OF indictments returned by the Grano Jur!
for the October term in 1876 there Is one which
recalls the days when the Rev Henry WaFo
Beecher was pastor OF the Second Presbyterian
Church Of this city. and, though then young
man. was Fastening with rapid strides TO that
prominence which shortly after led to his can 10
his famous pastorate in Brooklyn.
The record is interesting in connection with the
career of Mr. Beecher being evidence that he
was prosecuted criminal charge and ordered
TO pay fine. and Il also recalls the period OF the
great preachers popularity with the young people
of this city which then contained only rev thou-
sand ,nha bitants and incidentally shows the de-
mands upon him marrying preacher Tor II
this demand that caused the lapse or memory
which brought the minister face 10 face with the
Court to answer to q Grand jury Indictment. the
entry Ia the order book bears date OF November
10 1886 and the style Of the case is THE State OF
Indiana VS.. Henry w Beecher." The entry reads
follows
Come the attorney and the defendant In his
proper person and for plea saith that he is guilty
Is charged in the Indictment Therefore 1t Is con-
sidered that for his offence the defendants fne to
the State Of Indiana In the sum of $40 and that
he and satisfy the OF me b Of
the sheriff until said fine aud costs are PAID or
replevined.
on the next cay the following entry made in
the record Of pardons and remissions by the Gov
ernor which is now on file in the office of the Sec
Rotary OF State:
Reunited TO Henry W Beecher fine Of $40 a d,
The octo5er term thereof the year 1886 on in
dctment FOR failing 70 return certicate OF mar ar
tention OF violating the law.
on the same page in the Circuit Court order BOOK
is a record of three indictments returned against
the Presbyterian pastor for similar Offences but 1T
appears that these were never tried. or even
pleaded TO by the minister. but dismissed by
the Prosecutor when the Governor relieved him
from the fine assessed against him on his plea OF
guilty the first II seems that this action on the
part of the Governor was construed to mean that
Mr. Beecher was only technically guilty of the
violation OF the law which led 10 the indictment,
and that the Executive would remit any fines that
should be imposed upon him where the intent was
lacking. The record shows simply that the indict-
nents were returned by the Grand Jury, and that
the State Prosecutor declined to prosecute the de-
PENDANT and The were stricken from the
docket.
The Indictment of Mr. Beecher created decided
sensation among the Christian people of the city,
and the events Immediately following are remem-
bered with distinctness by some of the older mem
bers of the church. He not formally arrested,
him evening as he left the churcn AFTER me
BY surprise. The preceding Legislature had passed
Turned and the offence of not returning mar
riage certificate within a fixed time was mace DE
penal. enactment that was made necessary by
The general failure Of ministers 10 ignore the duty
I'M dhe aeanst Mr. Beecher were among
the first-possibly were the frst-returned In this
a pulpit orator and his popularity in social circles
caused his indictment to be more than q nine days
wonder. Within a short time after the service or
the first summons he again directed to appear
in court TO three other similar indict-
ments, and all the were doeketed for trial at
the term OF court.
The facts are, recalled by old members
Second Church, that the pastor had officiat-
spring preceding his indictment, and ac-
cllstomed return several certificates at once to
the County Clerk being always careful TO keep
within the limit fixed by the statute. The four
einnized within day two Of each other and
the certificates laid away, with the intention
of returning them the clerk within the stipuat-
ed time. Other matters intervening the certificates
several months had elapsed when the Grand Jury
convened and the clerk reported the delinquency.
In the time however, the pastor had re-
turned other certificates and ignorant OF the
fact that he had violated the law under the proc
Of the court served upon him.
Governor Whitcomb was a Presbyterian, and q
great admirer of Mr.. Beecher, and soon as the
fine imposed plea of guilty, he RENTED
but II is said that members Of the church called
the Executives attention TO the case. which, how
ever, known by him. because of the talk it
occastoned. Il unusual for Governors to
anomaly in being where the defendant had
admitted his guilt and had not offered any evil
dence show that there mitigating circum-
stances. lie had explained, it is true, the clrcum
that there had been no intent to violate the law,
but the only record made In the the
entering of the plea of guilty and assessing the
fine. Governor WhitcOmb acted. however, upon
and stated a for the remission that there
was no intent to violate the law.
EHISKFT At CHA RLESTON CUSTOM HOUSE.