Rocky Ford enterprise., 1904-12-16
DENVER ELECTION
FRAUD SENSATION


election frauds in Denver as a result
OF the Supreme Courts inquiry into
the contempt cases against election
ofiiciais In that city has attracted the
attention OF the entire country.
Never in the history of Denver eiec-
ton thievery has 1t been SO extensive
or so brazenly committed. and mover
before has punishment followed 80
swiftly upon the heels OF the crime.
Tho most astonishing feature OF the
whole matter is that the frauds were
perpetrated In utter defiance OF the Su'
preme Court injunction and In the
very faces OF the Official watchers OF
the Supreme Court who were stationed
a; all voting places.
There Is but one explanation for this
extraordinary contempt for the power
OF tho highest court In the state.
Heretofore Escaped.
Heretofore the Denver election
thieves have escaped punishment upon
one pretcxt or another. They knew
that they always hal the protection OF
tho Police machine" OF tho Demo
cratic organization and the assistance
Of tho best legal talent In tho Demo
cratic party TO keep them ont Of jail.
They felt that they were immune. And
indeed they have received tho protec-
tioe and assistance OF tho Democratic
organization. leaders and lawyers. so
far as they could give It. Senators
Paterson md Teller have both ap-
pcared before the Supreme Court and
donc their best to save the election
crooks from legal punishment. but this
Is IN instance where their political
power was OF no ayah.
No Jury to Pack"
When the ward hccicrs figured that
there would be some way OF getting
around the Supreme Court injunction.
thcy rcckorcd without their host In
tho nrst place. there was no Jury to
tako up timo or to bo packed"
Tho cour, enjoinod the cyil.disposcd
to behave themselves and conduct the
election lawfully and honestly. Those
who violated this order were
promptly hauled up and promptly sent
to jail. A high court rarely II ever In
tcrfcrcs with lower court In It's cf-
forts to enforce respect for It's author
ity and dignity. and the appeal OF Sen.
ator Patterson to the United States
Circuit Court OF Appeals was in vain.
and his friends OF tho lower wards will
havo to serve their sentences 70 the
end.
Many Policemen Among osfendsrs-
Another surprising feature OF tho
whole proceeding is that such large
proportion OF tho arrested and con-
victed election crooks wcrc policemen
and other law officials and public en-
ployes.
or tho first forty.onc arrested. nine
teen were policemen. detectives and
court constables. deputies and other
police and county employes-just the
men who should have the most respect
for lawful authority. The very men
who arc daily called upon to carry out
the mandates OF courts and enforce the
law were the first and most reckless
Offenders against the Supreme Court
and the election laws.
In some places the Supreme Court
Injunction when served was torn up. 1t
is said that Alderman Mahoney. one
OF the arrested men, tore .hc injunc-
ton Into bits when 1t was served upon
him ut the polling place. In some
places the Supreme Court watchers
were thrown out and assaulted.
Violence at the Polls.
At others. Republican judges were
thrown out, and in some instances Re-
publican Judges were denied clerks
to which they were clearly entitled un-
der the law. In several polling places
fighting and rough-house tactics were
pursued and Republican voters run
out, assaulted or intimidated.
Thugs and bullies crowded around
the tables and ballot boxes in several
places and by the use Of foul and pro-
fame language and rough tactics gen.
orally kept numbers Of voters away.
Repeaters were voted in squads. as has
been proven by the examination of two
or three ballot boxes by the Supreme
Court. The Republicans have copied
the poll books and are now canvassiIg
the city to see how many of the flcti-
tious names were voted which are