Durango semi-weekly herald., 1902-02-24
POLITICAL GOSSIP.

The reviving effects of the Lincoln
day banquet rendered the Republi-
cans of Colorado at the Brown Palace
last week is noticeable throughout
the state. 1t was a grand gathering
OF Republicans, no mistake 1t re-
minded one of years ago. Or rather,
1t reminded one of the return of the
prodigal son, for there was great re-
joicing, and judging from the gather
ing. there were many prodigals. But
the prodigals had strayed for what
they considered good cause. They
had remained with that cause. some
longer than others. until hey discov-
cred that the game was one of office
and not the unselfish advancement of
the silver cause. They discovered
that instead of grand onslaught
against the enemy, it was a grand
onslaught as to who should fill the
offices of Colorado. until it required
from three to four days of pickering
and quarreling to select a state ticket
delegates returning home in frames
of mind that augured bad for mother
in-laws and the like. Therefore of
late it has not taken much urging to
cause a great rush of prodigals to
the repentant stool, and the banquet
at Denver was only forerunner of
the feeling existing in every county
in the state."lt was bury the past"
gathering. Senator Wolcott, who
stands higher in the admiration of
the people of the state today than he
ever did, voiced these sentiments.
There were plenty of good speakers
at the banquet, but the senator was
the drawing card. In the way Of
leading the party he has taken a
back seat asking the Republican
hosts to meet and lead the party to
victory. He is asking no position
at the hands of the party, but because
of this he is not going to play the dog
in the manger act and skulk. The
party has rewarded him in the past,
and he is fully cognizant of the fact
and is going to do what he can to
have the party honor other members
either as governor, congressman
or senator, although We feel conf
dent nine tenths of the Republicans
of this grand state would rather see
the Hon. Edward o. back in the SEN
ate than any other Coloradoan. But the
senator is not seeking this honor
He wants the party to win and elect
whom the general assembly may de-
sire to the senate.
The meeting of the Republican
state central committee during the
n;v,o
oped the fact that every county was
represented. Much interest was TAX
en- in the gathering. Only one OBJ
ject seemed to prevail, the election
of competent, non-factional chair
man. This was certainly accom-
plished by the unanimous selection of
the Hon. ID. b. Farley of Colorado
Springs. Mr.. Farley has not been
mixed with factional politics of any
kind He is, however, full-fedged
member of the old Republican school
He remained true to the ship when
sinking in this state and now lives to
see the grand old craft gliding over
smooth waters to certain victory.
Mr. Fairley's selection undoubtedly
means his retainment during the com
ing two years. Mr.. Farley is es-
sentially a business man. He is en-
gagged in the furniture business at
Colorado Springs which he has made
success. His worth has been rec
ognized several times by his election
as president of the chamber of com
merce. He has served as county
chairman, and established a reputa-
tinU narnful i1ot bn
ing called to fields of greater labor,
we have no doubt he will prove equal
to the occasion.
The rules adopted by the commit
tee will have beneficial effect.
Whether true or not, many believed
the rank and file were not given voice
in the matter of selection of delegates
to county and state conventions-that
the machinery manipulated affairs too
easily. Under the new rules this is
obviated and henceforth there should
be no cause for complain. Every man
stands on an equal footing and here
after no one in city precinct can
vote half a dozen proxies from coun-
try precincts. Each precinct must be
represented In convention by some
one residing in the precinct.
1t was interesting to note compar-
isons of conditions existing in the va
rious counties under fusion rule.
There were many cases cited where
men have been elected to Office
through blind fusion who were not fit
for dog pelters, but in no county was
more contempt for law shown than
in La Plata, where the commissioners
have run things on wide-open plan.
In fact. La Plata county is cited as
an instance of fusion-treasury looting
although many other sections were
good seconds. 1t is hardly possible
however, that any other county will
show up such injustice in the matter
of assessments and for which the