Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-12-19
The Colorado Outrage.

The Colorado Outrage.
The seating of Patterson of Colorado
In the House is such bare-faced swindle
that II will require multitude of devou'
savings from the democratic reform party
to cover up Its enormity. The facts IN
regard 10 the Colorado election are as fol-
lows;
The people of Colorado voted on the
first Tuesday of October, 1876. for their
new Stafs officers and as the enabling
act for the State of Colorado conferred
upon the convention to form the constitu-
ton the privilege OF naming the date al
which the election OF representatives in
Congress should be held, the convention
fixed the election for congressman on the
same day as the election OF State officers
and both elections were held at that time
It was well understood by all parties that
there should be but one election.
The day for electing Presidential cleo
tors and Congressman named by the gen.
eral law of Congress was month later
but as the machinery of State govern
ment could not be put in successful oper-
alton In thirty days the choice OF Presi-
Dental electors was specially confided to
the Legislature and no November elec-
ton was seriously contemplated by either
party. Judge Bedford was accordingly
nominated by the republicans for the
short term of the Forty-fourth Congress
and for the full term Of the Forty-fiith Con-
gress. and Mr.. Patterson yrs nominated
in like manner by the democrats. Both
sides accepted the issue AS involving the
choice of q representative for both Con-
crosses; an active canvass was made.
and the official and undisputed vote was
declared as follows:
Bedford, Rep. l3.43S Bedford, Rep. II, 4S3
Paiterson, Dem. l2.4lo Patterson, Dem. 1854
Belford's mai. sls Belfords maj. s72
Thus in q total poll of 25.7SS for the
short term and of 26.094 for the long
term and the largest vote ever cast in Col
orado they elected Judge Beliord, republi-
can, to the last Congress by 9l8 and to
the present Congress by s72. Finding
himself defeated for both seats, Mr.. Pat
terson finally resolved to hold an election
of his own on the 7th of November, and
he was allowed by all parties to have IL
pretty much all TO himself. A democratic
State Committee issued the necessary
proclamations. to rally the party for Pat.
terson. while the republicans formally de-
clared their purpose to abstain from par
ticipation In second election, when the
first had covered the whole ground and
certificates had been issued Of the result.
A pretended election was held, however,
with the following result:
Patterson, Dem. $3.50 Scattering II
Bedford, Rep. liz
Upon this sham vote Of the people Of
Colorado. being %. 265 less than was cast
for the same Office In October. and 9,OSl
less received by Patterson than he received
10 October when he was beaten 872. Mr..
Patterson claimed seat In the present
Congress on the shabbiest technically.
and In insolent defiance of the clearly ex-
pressed wishes of the people Of the State,
and on this claim he was admitted by the
democratic majority against the most
strenuous efforts Of the republicans. With
such an example as this to begin with,
those who favor Reform under democrat
ic auspices can see how much their hopes
and expectations are worth. Every Con.
gresham who voted for the admission Of
Patterson deserves to be pilloried for the
act.