Daily Republican., 1879-06-28
THIRD EDITION.
The Dutcher-WatsOn InvestigA'
ton.

For the Republican.
MEssRs EDlroRs AT this stage "i
the butcher Watson-Spear difficulty 1t
ia necessary for me to make few
words of explanation. Mr.. butcher
before leaving on Monday last for Brit
ish America, requested me to look after
his interest in case Of IN investigation.
promised him that | would.
He stated that he had been le'ore the
committee, and insisted in giving ht.
evidence and that the committe" had
refused to take it, as there Lad hrrn Ia.
charges preferred against him, and I
none were brought forward by satur-
day he was at liberty to l-ave. .
On Saturday last Mr.. butcher and
called upon Mr.. Fraim, the Secretary,
and he then stated that there had been
NO charges preferred, and that Mr..
butcher was at liberty to depart accor-
ding to the understanding, and that II
anything did occur, that his and MIS-:
Watson's attidavits could he taken and
would be received if properly certified
tc.
He also stated that Mrs. Watson had
called upon him that afternoon and
desired to give her evidence, but ina
he had informed her that it could not
be received as no charges had ben
made.
Immediately after their d-partnrr.
received notice from Mr.. Fraim, the
Secretary, informing me OF the meeting
of the committee. | attended and then
discovered that Immediately after the
departure of Mr.. butcher and Mrs
Watson the c" argos were forth coming
thought strange of this i'll view OF the
fact that Mrs. Watson had been espe
clally detained for some length of time
for the purpose Of giving in her eyi'
dence in the case.
However the case was proceeded with
The affidavit of Mr.. Blanchard of New
York was presented and accepted a:
evidence. John H. Moore was called
IS witness and stated that he hat
been to New York city and had rea'
tn. affidavit to Mr.. Blanchard and ha'
seen it signed and certified to. Thel
Crawford Spear was called, and h
presented the afidavits Of Nora John
son, Mrs. Bell and Mrs. .Watson's daugf
ter and stated that he propounded til
questions therein contained and ha
seen the papers signed.
These were also received in full a
evidence. Mr.. Spear then oocupie
the time of the committee for about t"
hours in producing evidence 10 sho
the relations between himself and Mr
Watson, and 10 explain his reasons fl
his action in the matter, and his nt
tives for pursuing the course he hac
after which he answered part OF tn
questions prOpounded. On last evenln
the committee entered into quite dl'
cnssion to define my relations to til
matter and them.
then explained that while | wa
not acing especially as the counsel
Mr.. Du,cher, | was there TO look att
his interest; and III conjunction wit
them to see that the truth was brougl
outand that they as 4 committee Wei
under as much obligations in this ma
ter as myself, and that their duti
could not be confined to the sp-ci
character OF hearers; they accept ed tn
relation and then by official action cal
ed me as witness in the casr.
After answering such questions
We're asked me, then in behalf Of NJ
butcher presented his affidavit, Whit
was received as evidence. after which
presented the affidavit Of Mrs Watso
which tne committee We're willing to a
cept 50 far as it referred to Mr.. Dutch
but would not accept so far as it rrte
red 10 MIR. Spear. Upon this long d!
cusSi"n ensued, resulting in otticia a
tion "u ihe part of the COMMITTEES =
Guiding the evidence that reflected II
on NJ. Spear.
Upon this with drew from the ca
taking with mr the affidavit Of MI
Watson, con'euding that as Mr.. Sp-
was the only witness that had 2'v'
evidence in reference to Mr.. butcher
relation to Mrs. Watson, and had Civ
a long array Of evidence explaining |
motives, that it was pertinent to t
questions and important in rebuttal
his evidence, to show other relations r
isting between him and Mrs. Nat>'
and Furthermore that our duty in
premises to tn. community, and o.
duty in the cause of truth, f-mand'
that the evidence Of Mrs, Wa $
against Mr.. Spear should be receive
Upon this evidence and other evide,
of Ike character the innocence
Mr.. butcher in his relation to NJ
Watson could be established. Up
their refusal to receive this eviden
withdrew from TIE case. Yours,
GEO. W. WELLS