The herald., 1894-08-31
THE WAITE CONSPIRACY.
THE GOVERNOR OF COLORADO IN
COURT.
Hearing OF the Letter opening Case at
Denver Begun-Damaging Evil
dence Against the
Defendants.

DENVER, Aug. 30.-The hearing OF the
case against Governor Waite, President
Mullins OF the 6re and police board, and
Police Matron Ksts DIVER, charg ed
with conspiracy to detain letter in.
tended for ex-Polics Matron Likens was
begun before United STATES Commits
sioner Hinsdsle today. Testimony was
introduced showing cons piracy to be-
smi.ch Mrs. Likens' character in order
to pave the way for her removal as
matron. A letter to her from Jesse
Parr of Pueblo, in answer to an adver-
tisement for a position as housekeeper,
was used for this purpose.
Ex-Matron Likens testified that the
reason given by the police board for her
dismissal was economy. No opportunity
was ever given her to explain the letter
from jesse Parr. She considered PARIS
letter an answer to the advertisement of
Mrs. Ellon Harnett, for situation as
cook or houeekeeper private, and not
official business.
District Attorney johnson asked Mrs.
Iikens to what party she belonged.
Assistant Attorney General Sales, who
appeared for the defendants, objected.
Mr.. johnson declared 81 expect to
show that all the defendants are mem
bsrs OF the Populist party; that the
witness is q member OF the Republican
party, and that every effort was made to
get her out of cfice. IeXpect to show tn at
although this letter was addressed on
the note to Mrs. Likens it was detained
from her, was carried to the president
of the board. and was announced by him
that it WAS the evidence upon which he
could remove this Witness"
The commissioner sustained Mr.. Sale q
objection.
Jesse Parr, who wrote the note, teeti-
fed that he did not intend it for any of
the defendants, but for Mrs. Likens.
Mira. Flora Frincke, formerly house
keeper for Mstron Dwyer, testified that
Miss Dwyer over year ago, in her
presence, told Governor Waite's pri-
vsts secretary abe would have
Mrs. Hkens' place il it took her O
year to get it. Mrs. Frincke testified
that Miss Dwyer discharged her because
she refused to take letter from Mrs.
Likens' desk.
Friends of Mrs. Likens testify that
Matron Dwysr gave them to underotand
Mrs. Hkeas was removed because che
was engaged in an immoral business.
Police Commissioner Barnes said Pres.
idsnt Mullins produced the Parr letter
before the board and declared it proved
her to be an improper person for the
Office of matron. Mr.. Barnes replied
that the letter contained nothing deroga.
tory to Mrs. Likens. She was never
notified 20 appear in regard to the
matter.
DIR. Johnson put in evidence President
Mullins letter to the Rocky Mountain
News in which he announced "Should
the very ardent defenders of Mrs. Likens
desire further information as to the
reasons why Mrs. Likens was chosen as
the one to be sacrificed to reduce ex.
penses in ths department, they can OBJ
tain such information by calling upon
the fire and police board, who are .e.
luctant to submit these matters to the
public press"
Mr.. Mullins denied having written
that portion of the letter quoted, but
acknowledged having attached his sig
nature to it. A few more wit.
nesses were examined, after which the
hearing was continued until tomorrow,
when Governor Waite will take the
stand. His appearance and conduct
throughout the day was that OF q man at
peace with the world.