The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1894-09-05

DENVER, Col, Aug. ga warrant
was issued late this afternoon for the ar
rest of Governor Davis II. Waite On the
serious charge of opening and retaining
a letter addressed TO Mrs. Likens. for
merly matron at police headquarters.
The warrant was issued by United States
Commissioner Einsdale, who also issued
warrants for the arrest Of President
Dennis Mullins Of the police board, Ham
ilton Armstrong, chief OF police, and
Kate Dwyer, matrOn at police head
quarters.
The charge is opening the mail and
also for conspiracy under statutes No.
S,S92 and $40. the penalty for which is
a fine of not over $4,000 or two years
Imprisonment, or both. The complaint
was made by Mrs. Iil<ens and was in
vestigated by Postofice Inspector Nc
Mechan.
Mr.. 0IcNechan laid the matter before
United States District Attorney Johnston
and this afternoon a formal complaint
was drawn up against the four persons
mentioned. This was presented to Com
missioner Hinsdale and he issued the
warrants. which were placed in the
hands, Of Marshal Israel's assistant for
service
Shortly afterward the warrants were
served and all the parties named were
arrested and taken before Commissioner
Hinsdaie.
Governor Waite created quite a scene
in the commissioners rooms He was
highly indignant and when Deputy Uni
ted States District Attorney Rhodes
stepped toward him with extended hand
the governor met him with cold stare:
Governor Waite pleaded not guilty"
claiming he had not opened the letter,
but that its contents had been read 10
him.
The hearing Of the case was set for
next Thursday. 1t was suggested that
bail be fixed at $1,000 The prisoner
sprang from his chair, paced the floor
in front Of the commissioner and ex-
claimed:
II am the governor Of this state and
these proceedings are held TO interfere
with me in the administration of my
office. L viii not give bail. You may
send me to jail, but 1 viii not give bail"
Finally the commissioner accepted Gov
ernor Waite's personal recogniZance TO
appear for trial in the sum of 800.
DENVER, Aug. 29.-The arrest of
Governor Waite and officials Of the police
department on a charge OF OBTAINING and
opening a letter intended for eX-Police
Matron Tikens, has not caused much ex-
element. being generally regarded as
mere political move Pops, who are
working 10 prevent the denomination Of
Waite. declare that republicans who de-
sire to have the governor renominated,
believing him to be the weakest candi-
date the populists can make, caused the
arrest for the purpose Of arousing SYM
pathy for him in his party and stampede
in the convention. On the other hand
the republicans say it is purely a politi-
cal fight between the Cleveland (white
wings) democrats and the pcPuhsts. The
letter in question was inclosed in an en-
velope and addressed to police matron,
Denver, and IL was opened by Matron
Dwyer.
The governor appeared today to
be enjoying the excitement which
his adventure had caused among
ing seen the letter from Jesse
Parr Of Pueblo 10 the police matron,
asking her to secure a housekeeper for
him, which he was accused of having
unlawfully detained. but that was all he
knew about the matter. Judge Sales,
who viii defend the governor and his
alleged fellOw-cOnspiratOrs before United
States Commissioner Hinsdale tomor-
row, said he would have no difficulty in
securing the acQuittal Of mis- clients.
"Why, the letter was addressed to the
police matron," said he, "and could
have been opened by Miss Dwyer as
we'll as Mrs. Likens. Miss Dwyer was
also matron and possessed Of equal
rights. For that matter the letter was
the common property Of the office,N and
either President Mullins or Chief Arm
strong could have opened 1t. The arrest
was very inJudicious and the govern
ment has no case. / have not seen the
letter yet, but win demand that I see
II before the trial."
Postofice Inspector McMeehin indig-
nantly denies the statement that the
arrest was made for political purposes,
and says he will be able TO make out
good case against the accused.
DENVER. Col. Aug. 31.-United States
commissioner Hinedale heard testimony
for the defense today In the hearing in
the charge against Governor Waite Presi-
dent Mullins OF the fire and police board
Chief OF Police Armstrong and Police
Matron Dwyer Of conspiring TO withhold
from eX-Maron LilSens a letter for her.
Inc court room was crowded. Governor
waite was the first witness called. He
declared he had never had anything to
90 IN the matter whatever and was great
~ surprised when he learned he had been
charged with an unlawful act He never
had any conversation with any person for
the purpose Of entering into conspiracy
for any purpose. "The letter In question
was handed 10 me TO read" he said. and
l had to take II in my hands to do so.
I Immediately returned II 20 the person
who handed IL to me- and this Is my en-
tire and only connection with II. 1t
might have been a forgery for all know,
anu IL ulQ not attract my dllenLOn 10
any extent. as / considered II OF but lit
tie importance. Chief OF Police Arm
strong Is most certainly mistaken In his
statement that he got the letter from me-"
AT the, conclusion OF the arguments
Commissioner Hinedale rendered his de-
cision as follows: These four defend
ants are charged with an offense against
two sections Of the laws relating TO con-
spiracy and the taking and retaining of
letter belonging to- another. 1t is
shown by the evidence that a letter did
come to the city hall, the enevelope Of
wllch was addressed TO the 'police
il2fron." but the letter itself was ad-
6-pssed 10 Mrs. Likens." Mrs. Dryer, as
Cla Of the matrOns had a perfect right
open and read the letter, but should
We at once delivered 1t to the person
whom II was addressed instead of
ding It TO the chief OF police. 1t has
n1t been clearly shown that there was
q conspiracy between these defendants TO
injure Mrs. Likens. but the taking and
Withholding CT the letter from her was
clearly a violation Of the law.
Governor Waite read the letter and
had 1t brought 70 the Office. He could
not help this and the evidence against