Durango semi-weekly herald., 1904-12-26
PATTERSoN's OUTRAGEOUS
ASSAULT ON SUPREME COURT

II is difficult to comment in meas
ured language upon Senator Patter-
sons editorial onslaught of the ac-
uon OF the Supreme Court of this
state relative to the rejection from
official canvass of the fraudulent re-
turns in the city of Denver.
With brazen assurance he utilizes
the columns of his papers to pour
forth flood of vile abuse upon the
court for its courageous. meritorious
and lawful course in placing a whole
some check upon the high-handed dis
regard OF its mandate by certain elec
tion officials. These officials sought
openly to steal an election for the
benefit of an organization he now
seeks to dominate as its high priest.
But II is only few short months since
he was publicly clamoring for the use
OF the militia at the spring election
to impale its leading spirits on the
aoint of the bayonet or failing in
this. for the organization of Wig
lance committee TO infiict summary
vengeance should they then attempt
TO perpetrate frauds similar to those
he now seeks to have condoned
Verify politics make strange bed
fellows, The Supreme Court requires
no vindication at our hands-its
course is openly commended by every
thoughtful well disposed citizen
but we cannot refrain from express
ing our indignation at the blatant as.
saults that are being made upon It
by the arch disturber of peace and or.
der in this community.
The vital features of the situation
are simple. For years Denver has been
afflicted with horde of political ex-
ploiters banded together to despol
the lawful voters of the elective fran.
chse--local elections existing only
in name The will of the people had
been time and time again defantly
set at naught by the officials in charge
of the administration of election laws.
Convictions for crimes against such
laws had become impossible, the ne
farious influence of the machine was
so potent and farreaching
AS a last resort the state, through
its attorney general, appealed to the
Supreme Court for its aid to secure
upon full argument participated in by
the leading Democratic lawyers of the
state, and after careful deliberation.
decided that it had the constitutional
power and was its duty under the ex-
traordinary conditions that existed IN
enjoin various officials of the city, in
cluding those in charge of the elec-
tion, to refrain from violating any of
the requirements of the election stat
utes--in brief, to obey the law and
abstain from interference with the
holding of a fair and lawful election
An injunction to that effect was ac-
cordingly issued, and who will dare
to say that 1t was not necessary? VIII
even Mr.. Patterson have the hardihood
to reply in the negative?
The gang treated the mandate OF
the court with open derision. The elec-
ton held in the wards under the spe-
cial control Of the machine was a
bold farce Ballot box stuffing. repeat
ing on a colossal scale by the direct
conniyance Of election judges. tam
pering with the official ballots be.
fore they ever reached the hands OF
the voter. substitution of ballots by
election judges, false election returns
all these official villainies and much
have been publicly proven and judi
cially established in the contempt pro
ceedings tried before the Supreme
Court.
Under these circumstances what
could any self-respecting court do
save declare that the fraudulent elec
,tion returns so made in direct con
tempt Of its order should not be al
lowed to have any legal force or effeci
that the beneficiaries of the whole
sale frauds should be required tt
prove this claim before the proper
contesting court OF body, unaided b,
such spurious documents?
Mr.. Patterson says there is no pre-
cedent for such an order. Granted
but that is not significant, either fo
or against Its lawfulness Courts ar,
frequently compelled to make move