Idaho Springs siftings., 1902-10-18
Democratic Extravaganza
and Corruption.

that the most telling Republican arguments can be
- direct from Democratic sources Last week
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 elements conducting their office in
everlastingly disgrace their party,
city and The charges made by Judge
Lindsey have never been denied truth evident
to lives in Denver occasionally visits that
city. This scandaous condition of affairs is enough of
itself to condemn the party oleraing everlasting
oblivion.
alone in Denver and Arapahoe county
that corruption exists is rampant at the state house
August 10th of this the Denver Post valiant
Democratic organ printed following a doubeeaded
editorial:
Two years ago the people of Colorado, discouraged
by the tangle into which the public finances had fallen
demanded honest Straightforward, common-sense
business administration of state affairs.
The Democratic party undertook to supply that
demand.
In response the general public feeling that
practical business man-one who had made success
OF own business anairs-should be placed at the
of the administration. the Democratic convention
after travail chose the leader of its ticket the
of Honest Jim" Orman.
Mr.. Orman had had large experience in busi
way, successful railroad contractor and
large employer of men, and it felt that he could
be trusted to bring to the executive office that practical
greatly desired.
The people evidently concurred in this view of the
situation, and Mr.. orman was elected.
How we'll the hopes of the people have been
realized told by the facts published by the Post
yesterday and to-day regarding transactions at the
house during the past eighteen months.
Distressing these facts may be they appear to
admit of very hattering explanation.
them the conclusion is inevitable that there
has been either gross carelessness garing ncom-
potency upon the part of those who responsible
for the states financial transactions.
fund of s251 900. appropriated by the last Legis
lature for-among other thngsthe purpose of paying
the emergency warrants held debt of honor
against state appears 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 Legis
lature did not directly authorize each expenditure.
Yet much of this fund has been used for other
purposes not remotely specified and never
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 and Auditor Crouter and Attorney
General Post members. is directly responsible
the administration of this fund.
placed under their sole guardianship and
control
No bill against could be allowed or paid without
their majority consent
Irregularities in the of other funds are also
apparent.
The printing bills paid amount to the
sum of s11s 000-fully $4,000 the sum ap-
proprated--and among them many glaring over
charges such have called down severest condemna-
tion upon heads of the Arapahoe county commits
sioners
Many other questionable transactions of a scarce
less serious nature remain to be expained-if indeed
they explainabe.
Upon the whole, the present administration does
appear to have been any improvement over any
of its predecessors.
The states finances in a deplorabIe con-
dition than
There appears to be utter disregard of law
handling of the state funds appropriations
are juggIed to suit the purposes of who have
control of them.
The people demanded and hoped for a really con-
scientious business administration the hands of
Honest Jim Orman and his responsible associates.
Instead they appear to have been served with the
same old brand of which they have been complaining
for these many years.
18th OF August the Post printed another leading
editorial on the same n it said.