The San Francisco call., 1896-02-05
Rev. DR.. Pond Makes a Clear
Statement Concerning the
Committee.
MRS. COOPER IS INDoRsED.
Opposing Factions Prepare for a Bat
tie Royal-Rey. Mr.. Tubb
Is Wroth.

The Gear affidavit published in The
CALL during the early developments of
the Brown Davidson scandal and which
was not much thought of at the time, ex-
cept so far as it reflected on the character
of Mrs. Stockton, seems likely to cut an
important figure in the case.
The sworn statement of the attorney
was not considered by the general public
as particularly strong defense of DR..
Brown, neither was it thought to be proof
positive of Mrs. Stockton's blackmailIng
propensities. The reason of this, as prom
inent member of the church expressed
il yesterday, was because the affidavit was
sworn to just thirty days before the scan.
dal became public, and was also entirely
unsupported.
"The wording of the statement was most
peculiar, said gentleman who is in close
touch with the pastor--in fact he has seen
the evidence by which DR.. Brown hopes to
ultimately fully vindicate his character.
ITO the casual reader" he continued,
"Mr. Gear has made it appear that DR..
Brown was the only person referred to.
Now. as matter of fact, the part relating
to the pastor does not appear until near
the end. All that goes before has direct
reference TO two or three persons on whom
Mrs. Stockton attempted to levy black
mail. The affidavit was given to the pub
he without word of explanation and it
was but natural that people should be in
olined to draw wrong conclusions.
"Dr. Brown has in his possession, which
he viii produce at the proper time, all the
letters and papers mentioned by Mr.. Gear.
These taken with the affidavit will con-
vince any judge, jury and even the skepti-
cal nnblic that DIR Rr0uD
any time guilty OF an improper act with or
toward Mrs. Stockton. The pastor will
also be able TO satisfactorily explain to the
world why the charges which he preferred
against the winsome widow were never
prosecuted to finish.
"As to Miss 0verman that is all plain
sailing. DR.. Brown has done daring
thing in facing all this, but he did It
openly and with full consciousness of
the trying ordeal through which he must
pass ia order to secure the conviction of
the woman who demanded hush money.
His relations with Miss Overman were OF a
purely friendly character, and the proof
that be has to support this is so convinc-
ing as TO require no stretch of Imagination
or fancy to believe.
1.-The question has been asked over and
over again why he does not give this up.
The answer is plain and simple. He rec
ogniZes that he is dealing with q crafty
feat justice, no matter how contemplate
the means employed. He knows the wo-
man he has to deal with-he knew her the
instant she attempted to levy blackmail
on him, ana he cannot afford to take any
chances. Why, he. has indisputable proof
IN his possesson that one of the. witnesses
Tor the defense in the preliminary hear
ing committed wholesale perjury. If he
should give the name of this person to the
public, do you. not suppose that the de-
fense would Immediately set about to
strengthen this weak spot, though it
could only be done by again sacrificing
the truth? 1t is worth a great deal to the
Mrs. Davidson out of the way, and in
stead of proclaiming DIR. Brown guilty the
public should applaud his actions
when the Davidson trial is ended, DR..
Brown will make his statement, and
venture the assertion that those who OPP
pose him most bitterly now, will be the
first to shake his hand then"
DR.. Brown has not yet decided on his
plan of action SO far as it relates to the
pfayer-meeting tonight. It is not proba-
bic, however, that he will attempt to take
the lead in the face of Mrs. Cooper's
avowed antagonism and those who follow
her.
1t was stated yesterday on the highest
possible authority that there was every
Immediate investigation by the council.
This action is scheduled to take place to-
day if at ell.
Whether this is done or not the charges
made by DR.. Warren against Mrs. Stock
ton. must, according to congregational
usages, be made the subject of Immediate
inquiry.
One of the sensational developments of
the day came in the accusation of DIR.
Brown to the effect that the Bulletin
forged the now famous Valentine letter.
The charge of the reverend gentleman
will be found elsewhere.
Some fifteen or twenty members of the
First Congregational Church, representing
the disaffected members, held meeting
last night. A resolution was adopted con-
demning the kissing of Mrs. Cooper last
Wednesday night. This will be presented
to the congregation tonight. In addition
committee was appointed to draft reso-
lutions = first, indorsing the statement
made by Mrs. Cooper. and second, oppos-
ing the adoption of Deacon Barnard's S res
olutions of confidence.
The postponement of the ecclesiastical
council was also considered, and 1t is prob
able that the committee will hand in a
resolution condemning this.
The dissenting faction is confident of
success If the old members who withdrew
when Dr. Brown was first called, will only
turn out in force.