Durango semi-weekly herald., 1904-07-28

the total collections for the two years
will show an increase of at least sl00,-
000-a pretty good showing. 1t will
only be fitting recognition to adj
vance Mr. Woodruff from register OF
the land board to stute auditor, and
The Herald trusts that the entire San
Juan will join with the San Luis val
ley In pushing his candidacy. Mr..
Woodruff learned the printing trade
In Emporia and Topeka, Kan, finish.
ing his apprenticeship on the Kansas
State journal in the latter city For
a number of years afterward he work
ed on country papers In every capacity
known to print shop; owned and
edited different papers in various parts
of the Republican Valley of Kansas,
and busted" with the boom of 1883,
He came to Colorado in 1889 and work
ed at the trade in various cities and
towns. and went to Creede in 1892.
He dropped printing at that time, and
went to work on the Chance mine as
a miner. His political principles were
formed in a state where it cost some
thing to he Republican-Missouri.
As member of the state central com
mittee of Colorado. he helped to keep
the holy fire" burning on the altar
from 1895 to 1902.
There seems to be a general senti-
ment in favor of renominating Mrs.
Brandt for school superintendent, a
position to which she was honestly
elected two years ago. but cheated out
of by the fraudulent vote of Arapahoe
county. admitted to be rank by John
Shaffroih, who resigned rather than
he the recipient of stolen goods.
In the congressional line tn second
district already has the Hon. Ii. NJ.
Hogg selected to succeed himself, an
honor worthily bestowed. In the first
district there will be no question of
the retention of Mr. Bonynge. This
leaves the position of congressman
large the only one to be considered
1t is probable there will be aspirants
for the honorable position, but The
Herald can hardly see how the party
can do otherwise that name the pres
Colorado Springs. Mr.. Brooks made
the race two years ago and won
against great odds. At this time he
was not very well known outside of
his own city But the state took him
on the word of his fellow townsmen,
and wa haya yat tn baor pf anyppa who
has had cause to regret his election
On the contrary. he has been com
mended for the active interest taken
in the welfare of Colorado at the ma
tional capital-his every effort being
in Colorado's behalf The success of
the first session of congress entities
him to denomination, and if the con
stituency OF the rest of the state feels
the same as in La Plata county he
will make the race along with his
present colleagues. and the voters will
see to 1t that no break is made in the
In the lower house.
Coming down to the local situation
IL is trifie early to prognosticate the
nominees of the party. The Herald,
being the only representative of the
party in Durango, we feel 1t Is not
right to take an aggressive part in
the nominations, trusting to the good
judgment of the Republicans to select
he best material, A good many feel
that the old officials have made good
records, and having made the race
when success looked dubious. are en-
Titled to consideration at this time.
But there are equally as good men
who may become aspirants, and it re-
mains for the working Republicans to
say who shall be the standard bearers
locally. In this connection it is not
out of place to refer to certain posi-
lions that will be open to new men
assessor and two commissioners. The
Herald is reliably informed that Mr.,
Hopkins Is not an aspirant for renom-
nation. Should this be the case, it
will be well for the party to cast about
for the right kind of man. 1t is dawn
ng on great many people that the
position of assessor is of more i'm
portance than heretofore considered
The Herald desires to say that it
loubts II the commissionership is as
important as the assessorship so far
AZ the people as a whole are concern
ed, and this being the case. politics
should be largely discarded in the Sc
ection of a nominee, as 1t stands the
voters in hand to select good material
'or this position and then retain it be-
cause knowledge attained in the as
'essing department is valuable as
slstance each year.
And the commissioners. Durango is
entitled to one. and the eastern part
IF the county one there being TWO to
elect. The Herald is truly solici,ous
regarding these places. The other Of
ices to be filled may be more remun
srative to the ones filling them, but
so far as the public is concerned, the
assessor and commissioners are the
,nes that AFFECT them directly. There
ore we trust these matters will be
given wide discussion prior to the
convention, politics to n
arge extent being discarded and men
,elected who will bring La Plata conp.
y ont of the financial Quagmire 1t has
logged along In since the DAYS of