Durango semi-weekly herald., 1901-02-11
EDITORIAL CHAT.

OF course, to ascertain the news,
be it along political, business or leg
islative lines. there is no place like
Denver-that is, If it is state affairs
one is interested in. If it is sights
yer is too small burg and it is nee
essary to go beyond the portals of
the state-Chicago or New York, or
possibly Paris. But newspaper man
does not care a straw for the sights.
His life is one continual round of
pleasure, and after months spent in
Durango certainly place like Den
yer or New York contains no charms
that fascinate. Still, if one keeps his
eyes and ears open the newspaper
man is apt to see and hear enough to
furnish a few columns of reasonably
sensational matter. But there are
times when the reporter closes his
vision and puts cotton in his ears
it really becomes necessary, and this
invariably happens when one visits
Denver.
At the present time, however, Den
yer is quiet so far as legislative and
state affairs are concerned. This is
especially so compared with the first
OF the year, when the city was filed
with those who were seeking pie and
other delicacies known to be in the
possession of state and legislative Of
fcials. In addition to the several thou
sand applicants for places who flock
"a RI hn
rial fight, which attracted many as
Interested spectators, while others
were in attendance-those whom
Charlie Thomas forwarded pass
and $25 for expenses in order that
they might exercise their influence
ever wavering members of the senate
and house. Comparing the differ
ence between the present time and six
weeks ago, a representative said he
actually felt lost and really longed for
the excitement that prevailed few
weeks previous. Another said he was
just recovering from the effects of be-
ing buttonholed by eager constitu-
ents who were to be greatly benefited
by the election of this or that man
senator, while others took great pains
to inform him that his political fu-
ture depended upon his recommends
tions for appointments. At present
the only thing that breaks the monot-
ony is an occasional brawl in the
house between the speaker and some
OK the representatives who opposed
his election, notably Bell of Las An
imas. Montgomery is fighter from
the backwoods and he manages to
keep the animals well stirred up, and
Notwithstanding there is a big DEM
ocratic or fusion majority in the
house, the opposing forces are about
equally divided, owing to the ill-feel-
ing engendered over the speakership
fight. 1t will be remembered that the
contest was close-28 to 26. Having
elected Montgomery speaker the win
ning side at once considered it their
right to trample on the minority and
forthwith went ahead and parceled
out among themselves some 40 of the
AZ employees of the house, leaving the
&c men who failed to support Mont
gomery the privilege of disposing of
four clerkships. La Plata's represent
ative, Blair Burwell, was among the
number opposing Montgomery and
belongs on the minority side, conse-
quently his slice of pie in the way of
a clerkship for some enthusiastic sup
porter was dished up to some one
else. The ill-will thus engendered is
still in evidence. 1t bobs up almost
daily and will undoubtedly continue
during the entire session: and being
sort of family row, there is much
more feeling than exists between po-
litical opponents. 1t Is charged that
many bills are being killed or ad-
vanced on account of favoritism. Thus
the state is again given an object les
son of the great benefits of fusion
legislature.
Blair Burwell's anti-treating bill
surprised many by passing second
reading. indicating a safe majority
for third reading. This is doubted
however. by many, who think it will
receive its death blow when up for
final passage. Should it go to the
senate we understand it is the inten
ton of Senator Copp to take the meas
ure in nand and push it through II
such a thing is possible, and as the
DIR. has kept out of quarrels and is
working amiably with all sides, he
may succeed in securing enough votes
to make it n law. Therefore there il