The Springfield herald., 1905-01-20


there was such law it was an absurd
ity and he for one was ready to over
ride 1t. Mr.. Patterson and his COL
leagues made the same argument re-
garding the Denver frauds. "They ex-
ist." they said, but everything you
have done to expose them and to pun
ish the guilty Is prohibited by the con-
stitutior; there is nothing. therefore,
for you to do but to drop these con-
tests and keep still about the frauds. "
The Senate was clearly within its
right in reconsidering the action OF
the Senate two years ago in throwing
out Dick and Mcdonald. Born and
Healy had no certificates and their ten
ure of office depended wholly upon the
pleasure of the Senate.
1t has also been made a matter of
record that the four Democratic sena-
tors from Denver were fraudulently
elected two years ago. The same bo-
gus ballots that unseated Shafroth
were counted for these four men. 1t
is possible that they, too. will be
thrown out unless having certificates
there may be some legal or constitu-
tional technicality in the way.
The Contest.
1t was argued by many that II the
of election and then contested his seat
in the strict accordance with strict
Interpretation of the constitution, that
there would be Republicans and Re-
publican papers that would conclude
that perhaps he was duly elected after
all and urge the abandonment Of the
contest. There have been very few
such instances reported. The Republi-
can leaders who have had an opportu-
nifty to examine the evidences of fraud
in Denver. Adams, Pueblo. Las Animas
and other counties are in a position to
know whether or not they can make a
good case before the public and the
Legislature and they unhesitatingly
declare that the evidence will show
Republican under these circumstances
can afford to surrender the victory to
the Democrats.
THE election of Adams is fraudu-
lent. There is no question about it.
said Chairman Farley. And the Re-
publican organization would be cow
ardly and deserving of the contempt Of
every Republican in the state II 1t did
not do its utmost to recover the Office
which the votes of the people gave its
candidate. The idea of permitting
someone to rob you and then stand
without resistance and watch him
walk off with your property may ap-
pear the manly and patriotic thing to
do. to some people. but l imagine such
Republicans are very few"
Diiatory Tactics.
The indications are at this writing
that the Republicans will promptly
overrule the demand Of the Democrats
for delay and proceed with the investi.
Adams lawyers will be one of delay
and dilatory requests and motions.
They now hope by such policy to
prolong the investigation until the
close of the session, when of course
Mr.. Adams would hardly be expected
to call a special session to unseat him
self
But the Republican majority will un-
doubtedly set time limit for the in
vestigation and give each side reas-
enable time to present Its evidence.
The Adams lawyers will, it is believed,
call for ballot boxes from several coun-
ties in the state and demand witnesses
from afar. When their fllibustering
tactics are blocked they will loudly de-
nounce the Republicans as anarchists,
etc. This is all to be expected but
the good people of Colorado may rest
assured that after the smoke of this
next battle is cleared away, they will
find, as they have found in the pTelim-
mary skirmishes, that the Republican
majority has shown infinitely more
consideration and respect for right and
Justice and the constitution than the
Democrats have ever shown in cleo
ton contests in this state.
Plurality Melting.
The rotten precincts already thrown
out by the courts and the one thrown
out by the state canvassing board in
Boulder county brings Mr.. Adams plu
rality down to about $500 at the open
ing of the contest and those who are
informed as to the extent of the frauds
say that this will be overcome by a
presentation of barely half of the evi
dence now ready for the committee.
An interesting coincidence in con
nection with the operations Of the po
litical brothers of the Adams family is
called to public attention by clay's
Review of last week:
Two years ago when Franklin E
Brooks defeated Alva Adams for the
office of congressman-at-large, Conejos
| county where Brother "Billy" Adams