The Colorado statesman., 1905-03-18
PEABODY is GOVERNOR.

Elected by safe and comfortable ma
jority of the legal votes cast on the Sth
of November, 1904, it required more
than four months, owing to Democratic
election frauds and subsequent politi-
cal chicanery, to clearly show to the
people of the state and fully satisfy
them that he was undoubtedly chosen
by them to be his own successor in
the Office of governor After a most
thorough and impartial investigation
by joint ballot committee of the Leg
islature, operating under a specific pro
vision of the state constitution, this
has been abundantly done. The proof
is of such convincing and overwhvlm-
ing force that public excitement had
long since Gained down and given
place to the popular demand that Alva
Adams be ousted from an Office OBJ
tained through fraud, and that the
rightful owner be seated. About two
weeks ago the committee made their
reports to the General Assembly in
joint session, the majority report find
ing that Peabody was elected and rec
ommending his being seated; the mi
nority insisting that Adams was right
fully entitled to retain the Office which
he was occupying by virtue of the
prima facie returns; while a third and
fourth report, signed by two or three
Republican members of the committee
expressed the opinion that neither the
contestor nor the contestee was
elected and that Lieutenant Governor
Mcdonald should be declared COVER
nor. The consideration of these va
rious reports naturally and necessarily
consumed a great deal of time. The
contention of the conflicting factions
waxed warm and fierce. Criminations
and recriminations filled the air. All
sorts of rumors became current and
were greedily gobbled up by the over
credulous. But the Republican ma
jority, calm, cool and sure of the
truth and justice of it's cause, remained
unshaken. 1t afforded the other ele-
ments every facility to present their
case in the most favorable view, both
before the people and the courts. De-
lays, caucusing and adjournments
seemed to be the order, aim and end of
things. The report signed by Mr..
Griffith and one or two other Republi-
cans, expressing doubt as to the suf-
ficiency of fraud unearthed, was
promptly disposed Of Alexander's
proposition to decide there was no cleo
tion and declare the lieutenant COVER
nor to be the governor, was submit
ted to the Supreme Court under pro-
vision of the state constitution, for
their opinion. The court held this could
not be legally done. So the rubbish
and debris having been all cleared
away and the ship stripped for action,
CO 10 ,lA
mained was, who was rightfully en-
titled to be seated as governor, James
II. Peabody, the contestor, or Alva
Adams, the contestee? There could be
but one answer. 1t came about 4:30
p. m. Thursday. That was recorded in
favor of the contestor by the decisive
vote of 80 against A. Thus truth, JUS
tice and equity are triumphant.
Governor Peabody is to be heartily
congratulated on the high and unyield-
ing attitude he firmly and consistently
maintained throughout this contest.
He did not want the office unless it
was plainly shown he was clearly
elected to it by a majority of the gen.
uine and legal votes cast. This highly
unselfish and patriotic stand has re-
ceived its just and merited reward.
The governor enters upon his second
term under most happy auspices. In
his past administration he had to deal
with chronic condition of strikes,
rioting, general disorder and paralyz-
ing terrorism. Red anarchy, in fact,
had its vice-like grip upon the state,