Sweet Confessed His Plot Against Tynan

The Denver Post published two articles in 1925 that explained the political alliances Governor William Sweet made to help him in his fight against Warden Tynan. It is evident that the Denver Post was anti-Sweet. However, Sweets deliberate political ties to the Ku Klux Klan were revealed in the following articles.

Transcription [important sections]

SWEET CONFESSES PLOT AGAINST TYNAN

AGREEMENT MADE WITH MORLEY TO CARRY OUT OUSTER, HE ADMITS

DISCREDITED GOVERNOR REVEALS CONSIPIRACY TO GIVE CONTROL OVER PRISON TO ‘AVAILABLE MR. OSBRONE’

Amazing Story of Repudiated Executive is Surprise To Attorneys-Scheme to Put Convicts in Control of Pen is Disclosed.

            Colorado Springs, Colo., Feb. 27. –Ex Governor Sweet, persecutor of Warden Thomas J. Tynan of the state penitentiary, admitted to the state civil service commission, Friday under oath, that he offered the wardenship of the Colorado prison to Thomas Mott Osborne last July, and that Osborne accepted with the understanding that Osborne would hold the position for a year or two until he had installed a system of convict management at the penitentiary.

            That admission created arrest as much of a sensation in the Tynan inquiry room as the governor’s sworn testimony Thursday afternoon that:

            “The real object back of the removal of William V. Roberts, chairman of the civil service commission, last December, was Sweet’s desire to get control of the commission and insure widespread publicity for the Osborne report, which attacked Tynan’s administration of the penitentiary, and

            The attempt to put Sheriff Glasson of Freemont County into Tynan’s job last December was the result of deal between Sweet and Governor Morley, whereby Morley was to carry on the fight begun by Sweet against Tynan.

            KLAN ISSUE IS DRAGGED IN.

            The Ku Klux Klan phase of the conspiracy charged by Tynan was dragged into the cross-examination of Sweet by Attorney Fred Sabin Friday morning, and Sweet revealed that under his “deal” with Morley, Glasson was to be made Warden, and Sweet was to designate the deputy Warden. Sweet admitted the Ku Klux Klan was one of the big issues of the last gubernatorial campaign.

            “Was your Republican Opponent a member of the Ku Klux Klan.” asked Sabin.

            “I accused him of it,” replied Sweet. “I believe he was and still believe it.”

            Did you know Glasson was a klansman?”

            “No.”

            “Do you know now that he is?”

            “I believe he is.”

            “Did you know Chaplain Arnold is a member of the klan?”

            “I believe him to be one.”

A few moments later when he was again asked if he knew at the time Glasson was a klansman, Sweet replied:

            “I didn’t suppose he would appoint anybody but a klansmen.”

            The witness denied he had any understand with H.A Hicks as to the attitude Hicks Should take after being appointed to the civil service commission.

            [cont.]

            “The time was rapidly approaching for me to go out of office. Feeling that I ought to have the support of Governor Morley in this matter, I had four interviews with him on the subject. The first interview was arranged for me by Mr. Caldwell. I was willing to put into that office someone whom Governor Morley might suggest, providing he checked up-get the provision in there. Mr. Morley and I met, and there was no one else in the room. He asked me if I would appoint a man he might suggest.”

            “After parrying back and forth, he wrote the name of the man he would like to see appointed on a piece of paper and shoved it across the table to me. The na,e was Mr. Glasson.”

            “I told Governor Morley that I would appoint him and at the earliest opportunity I did so.”

            [cont].

Sweet Tells of Own In Plot to Oust Warden.

            The air has been filled with charges and counter charges in the Sweet vs. Tynan fight. First one and then another has been giving what he said was the TRUTH about the whole affair. Sweet claimed to be actuated by the purest humanitarian and most loft civic motives. Tynan said a contemptible conspiracy was back of the whole business.

            Sweet preferred charges against a civil service commission, tried and convicted him, and had the state soldiers carry him bodily out of office. Sweet said that was because the commissioner-William V. Roberts-was guilty of misconduct. Here is the REAL story, the TRUE STORY FROM THE LIPS OF WILLIAM EGO SWEET HIMSELF-the SWORN TRUTH AS TOLD ON THE WITNESS STANF IN COLORADO SPRINGS THURSDAY AFTERNOON:

            “The fall campaign came on and I was thoroly trounced, but I made up my mind that I would not go out of office without making public this report (Osborne report) for which the state had paid and the people had a right to hear and to know what was in it, especially in view of the fact that I had been served with notice by the warden that he dared me to publish it, and that if it was published I had to repudiate it.

            “No I went down to see my lawyer and I explained to him that I FELT THAT IF I FILED THE CHARGES WITH THE COMMISSION AS IT THEN EXISTED, I QUESTIONED WHETHER IT WOULD BE MADE PUBLIC; SO I DISCUSSED WITH HIM AND HE WITH ME, CERTAIN MATTER IN RESPECT TO THE PUBLICITY, AND HE ADVISED ME, AND I TOOK [?] COUNSEL AT EVERY STEP IN THE ROAD WITH REGARD TO HOW IT MIGHT BE PUBLISHED THAT WAS THE PRIMARY REASON FOR ALL THAT AFFIAR AND having twenty four hours in the cooler as the most sever punishment. Questioned closely on this point, he declared he would keep imposing imprisonment in the cooler, even over a period of years, if a prisoner persisted in misconduct.

            Sweet admitted on cross-examination that he dictated the telegram which was sent by A.J Bosworth of Denver, asking if Osborne was “available.” And then he explained that during the national Democratic convention at Chicago last summer he met Osborne.

            “I told him I would like to get a capable man to take charge of the penitentiary. He said ‘I might come out and do it for you.’ I was impressed with the idea. H said he would be glad to come out and install his Mutual Welfare league system, with the understanding that he would only remain a year or so until he had familiarized the deputy warden with the working system.”

            The telegram sent by Bosworth Inquiring if Osborne was still available brought an affirmative reply, and Osborne came to Denver. But Sweet had failed to get rid of Tynan. Osborne had to be sidetracked and it was then that Sweet began dealing with Morley to continue the fight against Tynan.

            Sweet said he had talked with Tynan about the cement plant plan, but dropped the idea because the expense of the installation would be too high. He testified against Tynan in June of 1923, discussed with him the question of spanking convicts. Sweet declared he had heard of only one spanking at the reformatory-an unruly negro.

            “I am against spanking or whipping or flogging or whatever it is called,” the witness said. “There is no provocation that justifies that kind of punishment”

            [cont.]

            Just what prompted Sweet to tell, with a smile on his face, of his secret conference with Governor Morley of his dealings with Arnold, Witcher, and Glasson-why he should, by interference admit that the charges on which Tynan is now being tried were brought only for the purpose of punishing him because he dared Sweet to make public the Osborne report-is a mystery. The only explanation is that he had rather tell than have the story dragged from cross-examination and further corroborated later by Tynan’s own witnesses.

            The former governor’s amazing recital of political intrigue came at the very end of his direct testimony. For nearly an hour he had told of his efforts to induce the warden and the members of the board of corrections to improve the educational and recreational facilities at the penitentiary and how Warden Tynan thwarted his efforts.

[cont.]