The Daily Gazette

Is it a Whitewashing Committee?

Yesterday morning, Messrs. George G. Lobdell, Geo. W. Bush, R. C. Fraim, E. P. H. Martin, J. Hare and W. H. Van Horn, the Committee of Conference appointed by the temperance men; and Messrs. Geo. Wells and James C. Johnson, selected by George M. Dutcher, for the purpose of investigating the charges brought against Mr. Dutcher, in connection with Mrs. "Judge" Watson, met at the office of R. C. Fraim, Esq.

After talking over the matter for a short time, it was determined that each side should have two members to conduct the investigation, and that the committee of four should select the fifth man.

On behalf of the Temperance Committee, R. C. Fraim, Esq., and H. F. Pickels, were selected, and on behalf of George M. Dutcher, through Geo. W. Wells, James P. Hayes and John Green were appointed. The committee of four met again, last evening, at the same place and selected as the fifth man Allen Gawthrop.

It is not definitely known when the committee will commence their investigations, but it is thought that the first meeting will be held on Friday next.

It has been decided by the committee that the investigation shall be conducted in star chamber style, the public and newspaper reporters to be entirely excluded. Under this edict the public will not, of course, learn all the points in the case, but the reporters of the GAZETTE will endeavor to keep its readers posted in the matter.

Mrs. Watson is still at the United States Hotel where she has been stopping, and proposes to remain there until after the committee have concluded the investigation and made their report.