The Washington times., 1894-03-18
THE DENVER RIOTS.
Diagnosis of the Situation by Congress
man Lafe Pence.

Diagnosis of the Situation by Congress
man Lafc Pence.
The trouble pending in Denver is fast as
suming a more serious phase than was antici-
pated by the general public or by those most
intimately concerned.
In an interview with The TI,rEs man last
evening Hon. Lafe Pence, who represents
the theater of hostilities. said: ''The press
reports SO far received indicate that the dis
! trict court in Denver has enjoined the COVER
nor and other authorities from ceding or in
stalling new fire and police board in that
/ city. | don't believe it's proper for me 10
review the -acts of either the judicial or
1 executive departments. 1t is evident that
somebody has wheels in his head. From the
Information so far received Tn not sure
whether it's Judge Graham, of the district
I court in Denver Sheriff Burchinell his chief
! deputy, 'Soapy' Smith. or somebody else.
From the evidence at hand. Mr.. Pence,
who is the possessor of the machinery re-
| ferred top
| Possibly" returned the Congressman re-
| fectively, possibly it is the Governor, but
don't think so. 1t is impossible now. with
out further information. to fix the RESPONSE
bility. Every Coloradoan. of course. whether
at home or abroad. is ashamed of the record
made in Denver during the last few DAYS.
Those OF us.here are naturally suspicious of
| the reports that come over the wires.
I'VE know that the disposition is generally
to color matters against the Populist officers
and to mistake facts. For instance, the dis
patches tell us thar Gov. Waite was advised
by his lawyers to disregard the order of the
court in Denver"
.'Who are these attorneys?" "One of them
is ex-District Judge Platt Rogers. u Cleveland
Democrat; another is State Senator Charles
Hartzell. an active Republican leader in Dem
yer, another is Hon. Tom Ward, Repub-
lican leader. 1t happens that these gentle
men have been identified heretofore profess
sionally with certain water and gas companies
in Denver. and these companies are not so
much interested in the fire and police boards
over which the present trouble has arisen as
they are in the board of public works and ex-
penditures."
''Wili the trouble subside without further
important Developments was asked.
I'm my judgment the agencies now active
will be found equally or more prominent when
the preseut row is settled and the purchase of
water. or gas, or electric-light plants for the
city is directly raised before the people"
You sustain the Governor in all his actions.
then, do you not:'
.'Of course, think the Governor is verv
foolish to lend himself and his Office. inno-
Gently or otherwise, to any OF these schemes.
l have no doubt the Peoples party. in whose
name he was nominated and elected, will
speedily repudiate whatever IS wrong ard in
dorse whatever is right in his actions. For
the governor himself and his good intentions
have personally the highest respect. For
his action in calling out the militia and defy
ing the order of the court have no respect
whatever. l would be very glad, indeed, to
see my way clear to indorse every step that
he has taken, but my sense of duty to him
and to myself and to the party in whose name
both of US have been honored, and especially
to the State.and city in which 1 live, and
which must bear the brunt of all this folly,
impel me to the expressions l have above
given"