The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-10-05
Colorado.

Like most states OF tho West freshly
emerged from territorial condition, where
Federal patronage Is n controlling power in
political organization, Colorado has followed
In the beaten track. But there was another
and better reason why the Republicans
should succeed at the recent election. The
present House OF Representatives, on the
nimsiest OF prctexts, gavc the scat TO
THOMAS NJ PATTERSON, Democrat, over
JAMES d. BELFoRp, Republican, who had
large majority on the popular vote.
After the admission Of the state in 1876.
when the first election for organizing the new
Government was held, public notice was
given that n member Of Congress would be
chosen for the fractional part Of the Forty
fourth Congress and FOR the full term in the
Forty-flfth, at the Same time with the cleo
ton for State officers, 50 rs to save the ex-
pense OF q second contest. Both parties
agreed to this arrangement, nominated their
candidates, and printed their tickets ac-
cordngly. When PATTERSON found himself
beaten, he took exception to the territorial
act for holding the election, as being in con-
fllct with the act OF Congress fixing uni
form day for elections 10 the House Of Rep
resentatives.
DlNt'Ftltfl 10 Ro Ouku AIt
farce OF n second election on the 9TH Of No
vomber. when only two thousand OF the
twenty-seven thousand that had voted a
month before, could be induced TO appear at
the few polls which were opened on that oc
casion. Rigidly construed, perhaps, BEL
PoRD, though fairly elected, could have been
thrown out on this technicality in regard to
the day Of election; but certainly PATTER-
son was In no sense the choice Of the people
OF Colorado. The fair thing 10 have done in
case Of doubt, was to order new election.
But the Democratic maiorityin the House
was small and needed recruiting. For this
reason, and this only, PATTERSON was
seated; and now the fraud has been re-
buked and punished, "a the greater Fraud
In the White House should be. by that
mighty tribunal to whose DEGREES all poll
ticians must bow. PATTERSON has got leave
10 stay at home and BELFoRp cannot be
voted out in the next Congress upon mis-
cradle and unworthy bubble.
Among the fatalities which seemed TO at
tend the Presidential election in 1876. was
the admission Of Colorado rs n State. The
hrst enabling act was passed March 3, 1875,
but was amended 10 be effective, March 8,
1876 after the Democrats had got posses
Sion OF the House Of Representatives., and
were In position 10 defer any legislation on
ihe subject. Every wcll-informed public
man ought to have known that the Terrific
ry was in the grip Of GRANTS Administra-
tion, and that il admitted It would certainly
send two Republican Senators and a Repre-
sentative 10 Congress.
In 1874 PATTERSON had been elected Dele
.
Bmall interest was excited, and there was
no concentration Of power against him.
This little success turned his head, and he
was deluded with the idea that he was
master Of the situation, and, II the Terri
tory was converted into n State, he would
be the first and most commanding Senator.
He exertcd all his energies TO procure the
admission Of Colorado, and succeeded eight
months before the Presidential election, just
h time 10 make the Fraud successful by
That act
The Democrats, with proverbial blindness
walked into PATTERsoS's little trap. They
tried to make n Senator out OF small ma
terial, and lost a President in the attempt
II Colorado had not been admitted, the Re
turning Boards in Louisiana, Florida, and
South Carolina, with all their villainy, and
AL the advice aud cooperation OF more dis
hnguishcd villains than themselves, could
not have counted HAYES in. Without Colo
RADIO the Electoral Colleges would have ag-
Hregatcd 3G6 votes, Of which Mr.. TILDEN
Nen by the admission OF tho consprators
had ls4, and by the actual returns POI. Thus
one Of the most important events in our
political history turned on the trllling am
bition Of an unimportant individual.