Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1903-01-22
WAR IN COLORADO
LEGISLATORS AT DENVER HAV-
ING A TIME.
House Has Thrown Out Six Demo-
Gratis, Seating Republicans In
Their P1aces---Scnate Has Sep.
arated Into Two BOdies.--Large
Police Force Present.

Denver, Jan. 20.-Although two or
ganized senates were in session in the
senate chamber and two score ,or more
police and deputy sheriffs occupied the
lobbies and cloak rooms, peaceful air
prevailed at midnight, and there seemed
to be no likelihood of a clash for the
present. There were rumors that the
governor had been asked to send troops
to the state house to take possession OF
the senate chamber, but they could not
be contirmed.
The excitement began in the house of
representatives, when the elections COM
mittee, to which had been referred con-
tests involving the seats of all the
thirty-three Democrats who held certifi-
Gates of election reported. There were
two reports. One, signed by four Re-
publican members OF the committee,
favored the unseating of six Democrats.
Another signed by the four Democratic
members Of the committee, was against
the unseating of any. The first named
report was the one which prevailed,
and, according to it's provisions, our
Democrats, representing districts OF
which this, Arapahoe, county forms a
part, were unseated, and the Republ-
can contestants were given their places.
Two representatives from Las Animas
county were also unseated and Republic
cans given their places. This gave the
Republicans a majority of two on joint
ballot. The house then adjourned for
the day.
AS soon as the adjournment of the
house was announced, the senate, which
had been in session all day behind
closed doors, admitting none but the
members and employees and the report
ers, began business. Rumors had been
current that the Republicans had
formed plan to capture the senate
chamber, and the chief of police sent
35 men in citizens clothes and the
sheriff force of deputies to prevent
such action. No move of the kind was
made, however. The elections commit
tee presented report on some of the
contests. Under the new rules adopted
by the senate this report could be voted
upon at once. Lieutenant Governor
Haggott, however, declined to recognize
this rule, and refused to submit mo-
tion for its adoption. The secretary of
the senate was then called upon to put
the question. During the confusion
which resulted minority report by
the Republican members of the cleo
tions committee was submitted and de-
clared adonted by the lieutenant COVER
nor. This report unseated eight DEM
Ocratic senators, giving their places to
the Republican contestants.
Word was at once sent to the contest
ing candidates. and although the door
keepers would not admit them to the
chamber they took the oath OF office be-
fore notary public.
From this time the lieutenant COVER
nor refused to recognize any Democratic
Senator. He appointed new secretary,
and it was announced that the old or
ganization would not be recognized
Senator W. II. Adams, president pro
tenn, took his place at the side of the
lieutenant governor and the Democratic
members proceeded with business. The
report of the elections committee dis
missing the contests against Democratic
senators was adopted, and two Republic
can senators were displaced by the
Democrats. This served to Offset the
action of the house by restoring the
Democratic majority on joint ballot.
The Democratic Senators declared seat
ed were then introduced and the oath
was administered by Justice Gabbert
of the supreme court. 1t was then Civ
en- out that no further action would be
taken by the Democrat, senators at
present. 1t was, however, decided by
both sides to remain in the senate
chamber during the night.
There are still fourteen contests be-
fore the house and nine in the senate,
and it is thought more than likely that
more members of both houses will be
thrown out tomorrow, and the proba-
bility seems to be that there will be
two legislatures in session after tomor-
row,