The Springfield herald., 1904-12-23

Denver Dec. 20-The burning ques-
ton in Colorado is still. Who was
elected governor?
There were extensive frauds COM
mitted in Denver, in fact the most ex-
tensive in its history. There were
frauds committed in three other coun-
ties that will add materially to the
chances of Mr.. Peabody. There seems
to be little doubt. II the rotten pre-
cincts are thrown out in Denver and in
the other counties where bogus ballots
were cast and fraud ran rampant. that
Mr.. Adams apparent plurality will be
wiped of the records. but 1t is neces-
sary to show clearly and conclusively
that this is the case.
While 1t will be impossible to open
all the ballot boxes in all the tainted
precincts in the state and settle the
matter by bringing the voters to ident-
ify and swear as to the correctness OF
each ballot. yet such course would
be the only one to afford an opportu-
nifty to do the two candidates exact
Justice.
The next best thing to do is to con-
slider the evidence given from various
precincts before the courts. to investi-
gate SO far as possible In reasonable
time, by legislative committee and
come to a conclusion, and this is the
course that will be pursued beyond a
doubt.
Legislative Investigation.
The Supreme Court has enough
contempt cases from Denver alone to
keep it going for two months or more.
according to the statement of promi-
nent Republican attorney.
The precincts thrown out by this
court, il any more are thrown out. Will
be those which it has Investigated in
the course of the contempt proceed
ings. These will not be very many. In
fact but mere handful. by the time
the Inauguration day arrives for the
next governor, which falls on January
10th next.
The throwing out OF fraudulent re-
turns or returns from stuffed ballot
boxes by the Supreme Court will not.
therefore, settle the question as to who
is governor. The action Of that court,
together with the evidence which 1t
has collected, will. of course. be con-
sidered by the Legislature, which by
law canvasses the vote and deter
mines who is elected to the various
state Offices from the governor down.
The committee appointed to invesu.
gate the matter will have to consider
an enormous mass OF fraud evidence
from Denver and may determine to
open all the ballot boxes In that city.
II this is done the conclusion OF the
investigation will not be reached for
several weeks, and In the meantime
who will be occupying the governors
chair?
" Peabody Holds Overt
The indications are that the frauds
in Denver alone will exceed the plural
ity of Mr.. Adams. It would therefore
be manifestly unfair that he should be
given the office until the matter is
fully Investigated and determined by
the Legislature, which has the sole
right to settle the matter.
Suppose Mr.. Peabody holds over and
after the investigation is completed,
say some time in February, the Legis-
lature concludes that Mr.. Adams is
elected. Would the acts of Mr.. Pea
body, while holding over, be legal?
This and other similar questions can
not be answered off hand.
1t Is believed that the solution of
this problem lies in having Lieutenant
Governor Mcdonald. about whose elec-
tion there is no question. act as gov
ernor until the matter is decided.
One thing is certain, at the present
time the evidence so far as divulged
indicates the defeat of Mr.. Adams, al
though there does not appear to be the
slightest disposition on the part of the
Republican managers to take snap
judgment OF use unfair OF UNJUST
means to settle the matter. The gen
eral opinion among Republican lead
ers is that the party will not under any
circumstances adopt the arbitrary and
brutal methods which were employed
by the last Democratic Senate in un-
seating Senators Dick and Mcdonald
to elect Mr. Teller to the Senate.
"If we cannot win fair We don't want
the Office" said a prominent leader,
but if we have won it, we want it;
and We want the people to know all
about the frauds, and If they do. they
Will support us in an effort to get it."
The Senate will be Republican by
one vote. The indications are that the
first official act OF the Senate after
organization will be to unseat Born
and Healy. who were given the seats
of Mcdonald and Dick. This will give
the Republicans five majority in the
Senate and they already have large
majority in the Lower House.