The San Francisco call., 1896-01-22

The story is without foundation in
fact so far as this committee is con-
cerned," said Dr. Williams yesterday.
Miss Overman has never intimated, by
word or deed, any desire to be heard,
though l have no doubt she expects to be
called at the proper time.
III she has written statement we are
not aware of it, informally or otherwise.
L say we because | have attended
every meeting of the committee and L
know that no such request has been re-
ceived from her. The statement was also
made that the future meetings of the COM
mittee would be open to the pubic.
While l sincerely trust that such a policy
will be followed there was nothing SAID
at the meeting last night to indicate such
course.
II wish to say right here that wrong
impression seems to prevail concerning
the position of Deacon Dexter. lie is gen.
orally credited with being most anxious to
avoid public inquiry. Such conclusion
is entirely wrong and does the gentleman
a great Injustice. Mr.. Dexter wants every
thing to be open and aboveboard, and is
doing all in his power to bring this about.
l am not prepared to say who 1t is that
oppose a public inquiry, because that
would be betraying a trust. But do
know that Mr.. Dexter is not of that num-
ber.''
The action of the committee as a whole
in insisting that the sessions be conducted
behind closed doors has caused consider
able unfavorable comment. Yesterday
prominent member of the board of inquiry,
under the promise that his name would
- ,,eo1 +ad 70 Ea ba fOilou-
ing statement:
'From the very first [ have fought
against secret sessions, as have other mem
bers of the committee, but not caring to
offend any one the majority have yielded
to the silent arguments used by the few.
Now do not misunderstood me. There has
never been any actual discussion over the
advisabllity of secret meetings but from
a word dropped here and there every man
on the committee understands just how
his feIow-juror, so to speak, feels.
From what can gather the following
gentlemen favor open sessions: DR.. Will
iams, DR.. Mooar, DR.. Pond, DR.. Mclean
and DeacoDs Dexter and Barnard. Those
who by action or otherwise have indicated
preference for a secret investigation are
Deacons Hatch, Vasconcellos and Dewing
and Folger and Westgate of the standing
committee. One or two of the last named
gentlemen gave evidence of weakening at
the last meeting, though they may be just
as strong in that direction as ever next
Monday night"
The announcement made some days ago
that DR.. Pond would decline to serve on
the committee appears to be without
foundation. The reverend gentleman is
now at Santa Cruz on business, but he has
written DR.. Williams letter declaring his
intention of being present at the next
meeting. The last named gentleman said
yesterday that Dr. Ponds apparent I'M
Willingness to serve was not due to fear of
public opinion, but to business matters
which demanded his attention. He had
been induced, however, to lay aside all
these things, and would unquestionably be
present at ali future meetings.
Mrs. Tunnel is not in San Francisco,
and there is very little likelihood of her
coming here until after the trial of Mrs.
Davidson. Just what her testimony
would be in open court is purely pfoble-
matical, but her hasty departure after
the Sunday night visit to DR.. Browa
creates the impression that any statement
she might be called upon to make under
oath would be unfavorable to all con-
cerned.
Mrs. Tunnel, or rather Mrs. Fowler, for
that is her proper name, is still in hiding
in Tulare county. Her wearing apparel
which she left at 1041 Mission street, has
been shipped to her by express. This
would seem to indicate that her stay in
the lower country will be governed by the
m n
scandal.
1t will be remembered that in the first
developments of this case it was alleged
that DR.. Brown introduced Miss Overman
to many people as his niece. This was on
the occasion of the joint trip to Tacoma by
the water route. 1t is probable that the
pastor will be asked by the committee to
explain this, and also another event of
practically similar nature.
Shortly after Miss Overman first came to
San Francisco and at the same time
regular inmate of the pastors house, she
became prominent in the First Congrega-
tional Church. 1t is alleged that on her
first visit to the church she became a
member of DR.. Browns Bible class. 1t is
now alleged that she was introduced by
the pastor as his niece, and was so looked
on for long time.
Gradually, however, it became known
that she was merely a portege, so to speak,
and while that did not lessen her popular
ity, it caused considerable comment. The
apparent platonic friendship OF DIR. Brown
for Miss Overman soon dispelled any susp-
cions which might have been aroused and
so the matter was allowed to drop.
1t was not until the accusations of Mrs
Davidson became public property that the
Bible class episode was recalled. Now the
committee win ask DR.. Brown to explain.
No arrangements have as yet been made
by the committee for the introduction of
Mrs. Davidson's statement. Mrs. David
son will be given hearing beyond any
doubt, but whether in the committee-room
or branch County Jail has not been de-
cided.
TO-MORROW'S AUCTION.