The Elk Mountain pilot., 1902-10-14
Democratic Extravaganza
and Corruption.

- secured direct from Democratic sources Last wee
printed the scathing arraignment of the Denve
fire and police by the Democratic county Judge
B. Lindsey. He charged them with being in league wit
The criminal of conducting their office
such everlastngly disgrace their Fart,
their city and their state The charges made by Judg
Lindsey been denied. Their truth is eviden
every lives occasionally visits tina
city. This condition of affairs is enough
Itself party toerating it to everastin
oblivion.
But is not alone in Denver and Arapahoe count
;hat corruption exists rampant the house
On August 10th of this the Denver Post valian
Democratic organ printed following doubleleade
editorial:
Two years ago the people of Colorado. discouraged
by tangle which public finances had fallen
demanded honest straightforward commonsense
business administration of state affairs.
The Democratic. party undertook supply that
demand.
In response to the general. public feeling that
practical business man-one who had made
OF his business arairs-should be placed at the
head of the administration, the Democratic convention
much travail chose the leader Of its ticket the
of Honest Jim" Orman.
Mr.. Ornan had had large experience in busi
way, a successful railroad contractor and
large employer of men, and it was felt that he could
be bring the executive office that practical
greatly desired.
The people evidently concurred in this view OF the
situation. and Mr. orman elected.
How well the hopes of the people have been
realized is told by the facts published by the Post
yesterday and to-day regarding transactions at the
state house during the past eighteen months.
Distressing these facts may be they appear to
admit of hattering explanation.
From them the conclusion is inevitable that there
has been either gross eareessness sIarins neom-
he of
financial transactions.
fund of s251 600 appropriated by the last Legis-
lature foramong other thngs-the purpose of paying
the emergency warrants held debt of honor
against the to have been largely divert
ed other not authorized contemplated by
lawn direct violation OF it, in fact.
In the meantime. not cent of these emergency
warrants has been paid upon the plea that the Legis
lature did directly authorize each expenditure.
Yet much this fund has used for other
purposes remotely specified and
contemplated by the lawmakers.
Not only this but for purposes plainly forbidden
by the general statutes.
The auditing board consisting of Governor
Orman chairman and Auditor Crouter and Attorney
General Post members. is directly responsible for
the administration of this fund.
placed under their sole guardianship and
control.
No bill against it could be allowed paid without
their majority consent
Irregularities of other funds are also
apparent
The printing bills paid the enormous
of s11s o00-fully $4,000 more than the ap
propriated-and among them many glaring over
charges such have called down severest condemna
ton upon the of the Arapahoe county commits
sioners
Many other questionable transactions of a scarce
less serious nature remain be expained-if indeed
they explainabe.
Upon the whole, the present administration does
not appear have been any improvement over any
of its predecessors.
The states finances in depIorabIe con-
dition than ever.
There appears to be utter disregard of law
handling of the state funds, appropriations
are juggIed suit the purposes who have
control of them.
The people demanded and hoped for a really con-
scentious business administration the hands
Honest jim Orman and his responsible associates
Instead they appear to have been served with the
old brand of which they have been complaining
for these many years.
the 18th OF the Post printed another leading
editorial subject in which said:
The Post has several times taken occasion com
mend the prompt and vigorous action taken by the
proper public authorities in the matter of the county
printing scandal
Now that it has been conclusivey shown that
serious and far extensive Irregularities
during the past eighteen months in the
handling and disbursement of state funds, the Post
confidently anticipates that similar prompt vgor
action will be taken in this case, also, bring
responsible parties justice protect in
terests of the people
No public official should be allowed to escape the