Evening star., 1894-11-23
SOME CLEAN-CUT PERJURY
Somebody Lied in the Wells Profanity
Case.
Another UnsavOry Chapter in the
Police Scandnls-Omcer klinger's
Record Gets Hammered.

Judge Kimbalps court room was crowded
this morning with persons anxious to hear
something of the evidence in the case of
William L. Wells, the South Washington
saloonkeeper, charged by Policemen Bruce
and Klinger with having used profane
language Mr.. Wells Is proprietor OF the
saloon over which the Fat Mems Beneh-
cial Association held its meeting on the
Sunday of the police raid. For this reason
II was thought that something of the police
scandal would be heard, and this explains
the presence of so many spectators. Law
yer Walker represented the defendant, and
Mr.. Pugh appeared for the prosecution. A
humber Of witnesses were examined aid
Lawyer Walker made a lengthy speech.
On both sides it was admitted that there
IL an i'll feeling existing between the PAR
ties. The policemen had been followed that
night by persons from Wells saloon, in
cluding Lawyer s.. G. Hopkins, ex-Police-
man Lee and a man who was mentioned
Ds the Great Unknown" and was said to
Ae ex-Policeman Boyd.
The two officers in the case, Klinger and
Bruce, told of their movements on the
night I'm question. Early in the evening
they stopped in front of Wells saloon, and
Officer Bruce put his head in the door and
had a conversation with Wells. This con-
versation was about Wells license, and
Wells claimed that the substance OF II was
that he would not get another license.
Lawyer Hopkins and others were in the
place at that time. The officers claimed
that Wells used profanity on their later
visit when the saloon was closed.
Lawyer Walker directed his efforts to-
ward impeaching the character Of Police
man Klinger. He succeeded In showing
that when Klinger was enlisted he swore
he was nearly twenty-five years old, when,
as matter Of fact. he was under twenty
one. Offioer Klinger claimed that when he
enlisted at the Mare Island navy yard he
was induced to say he was of age, and
when he actually signed the enlistment
paper he had not read its contents.
Commander Haywood who produced the
papers, said he did not believe Ringers
statement that he was induced to say he
was under age.
Wells got on the stand and denied every
word of the officers story relating to the
alleged profanity.
Mrs. Bridwell, who lives next door to
Wells saloon, corroborated the saloon
keeper. She was I'm conversation with
Wells at the time the officers appeared.
Mrs. Skidmore, another neighbor, also
gave corroborative proof.
Policeman Klinger was filled with ex-
plantations and the court heard them, but
he could not overcome The record or the
marine corps.
Counsel for the defendant made his ar
gument. in which he made a severe attack
on KliDSer. and Mr.. Pugh made few re-
marks for the District. He told Judge
kimball that there was clear-cut perjury
on one side the other.
Judge Kimball summed up the testimony
and spoke of the i'll feeling existing be-
tween the parties in the case. Ordinarily
with such proof the court would hold
defendant. But this, the judge said, is not
an ordinary case. Officer Klinger, the
Judge said. had been shown to have COM
mitted perjury in the matter of enlist
ment, and therefore he could not consider
his testimony. The charge against Wells
was thereupon dismissed.
Sergt. Daley, who had been In court and
heard the case had a little tilt with one of
the bailiffs in the corridor Just as the
crowd was moving out of court. Bailif
Hooe was conversing with officer and
when he made a remark concerning his
opinion of persons who have enlisted in
the army since the war. Sergt. Daley In
formed him that he had served in the ar
my and he considered himself as good as
any one else.
Il m as good as a man who has been
locked up in a station house." was the SER
geants parting shot.
IF you say / was ever locked up in q
station house." retorted the bailiff, you're
a liar"
Don't you call me a liar," added the
sergeant: IF you do I'll report you"
And he reported the bailiff.
Saloon Keeper Wells says he will now
swear out a warrant against Klinger
charging him with perjury.