The Grit-advocate., 1902-10-17
Democratic Extravaganza
and Corruption.

vT IS ONE of the peculiar Of this campaign
h that the most telling Republican arguments can be
X secured direct from Democratic Last week
we printed the scathing arraignment of the Denver
fire and police board by the Democratic county judge
b. Lindsey He charged them with being in league with
the criminal elements and Of conducting their office in
such everlastngly disgrace their party
their city their The charges made by Judge
Lindsey have been denied. Their truth is evident
lives in occasionally visits that
city This scanaous condition of affairs is enough OF
itself the party toerating it to everlasting
oblivion.
But it is not alone in Denver and Arapahoe county
that corruption exists 1t is at the state house
On August 10th of this the Denver Post valiant
Democratic organ printed the following doubeeaded
editorial
Two years ago the people of Colorado, discouraged
by the angle into which the public finances had fallen
demanded honest straightforward, common sense
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 a success
of his business afairs-should be placed at the
head of the administration the Democratic convention
after much travail chose the leader Of its ticket the
name of Honest Jim" Orman.
Mr. Orman had had large experience in bus
ness way, was a successful railroad contractor and
large employer of men, and it felt that he could
bring the executive Office that practical
knowledge understanding of business details which
greatly desired.
The people evidently concurred in this view OF the
situation Mr.. Orman elected.
well the hopes of the people have been
realized is told by the facts published by the Post
yesterday and today regarding transactions at the
state house during the past eighteen months.
Distressing these facts may be they appear to
admit of very fattering explanation.
From them the conclusion is inevitable that there
has been either gross eareIessness garins ncom-
potency the part of those who are responsible
for the states financial transactions
fund of $251 900, appropriated by the last Legs
ature for-among other thingsthe purpose Of paying
the emergency warrants held debt Of honor
against the state to have been largely divert
ed to other not authorized contemplated by
the LAWN direct violation of it, in fact.
In the meantime not cent of these emergency
warrants has been paid, the plea that the Legs
lature did not directly authorize each expenditure.
Yet much of this fund has been used for other
purposes not remotely specified and even
contemplated by the lawmakers.
Not only this, but for purposes plainly forbidden
| by the general statutes.
| The state auditing board, consisting of Governor
| Orman chairman Auditor Crouter and Attorney
| General Post members is directly responsible for
the administration of this fund.
1t placed under their sole guardianship and
control
their majority consent.
Irregularities in the use Of other funds are also
apparent.
The printing bills paid amount to the enormous
of $11S000-fully $4,000 more than the ap-
propriated-and among them many glaring