Rocky Ford enterprise., 1905-03-24
PEAB0DY's REASONS
FOR RgsloNlNo eovgRNoRsHlP
Letter Of Resignation Defines His Po.
sition-Retires to Endeavor to
Heal Breach in Repubii-
can Paftv

ssHSH-VShEee 70 GHueaSSt J"
Heal Breach in Repubii-
can Party.
Denver, March ls.-Governor Pea.
body's letter. in which he resigns his
position. is as follows:
State OF Colorado, Executive CEaM'
Der, Denver. March II. 1905.
ITO the Hon. James cowie. Secretary
Of State OF the State OF Colorado.
Denver. Colorado.
"Sir: l herewith oficiaily inform
you that l hereby resign my position
as governor OF the state OF Colorado.
the same To take unqualified effect
upon the delivery hereof to you.
In view of the peculiar conditions
now existing. ] deem IL proper u
briefly state, for the information OF
the public. the prime reasons that have
moved me to take this step.
Il Initiated the contest before 'hc
Legislature of Colorado to establish
my title to the once Of governor. In
the early part of the present year. be-
Iieying then. and fully convinced now.
that ! received u plurality Of the lawful
votes cast for the ONCE OF governor
nj the last general election.
II deemed II my bounden duty to III.
people OF Colorado and TO the Rcpubls'
can party. whose principles ] revere.
that l should begin and prosecute such
contest. to the end that the will OF the
people. lawfully expressed at the polls.
should be carried into effect.
''Thc action OF the legislative ms
scmbiy OF Colorado. In joint convention
assembled. In deciding that my com
pctitor. the Honorable Aiya Adams.
was not lawfully elected TO the ONCE
-. "a has \ al. al
Ia n complete yindication of my course
In prosecuting such contest.
TO my surprise and regret. discov.
cred toward the latter stages OF the
contest. that certain members Of the
Legislature. elected as Republicans.
entertained feelings OF Ill will and dis.
like toward mo personally: ! was. of
course. conscious that an unfortunate
schism existed among the members OF
the Republican party Mt the time be-
gan my contest proceedings. but was
not then aware of the extent to which
such xchiKm extended.
II shall not attempt in this commnni-
cation to yindicatc myself against
what conceive to be personal en-
nifty. unwarrantcd by the facts. nnd
unScncrous TO u degree. suiiicc II TO
say tina; ] am now painfully conscious
Of It's magnitude.
II have always been. and will ever
continue to be, n faithful ndhcrcnt Of
Republican principles and doctrines.
and conceive II to be the duty OF cv-
cry true citizen to make personal sac
rificcs. II need be. for the welfare OF
the political organization to which he
may belong.
'fmbucd with these sentiments am
constrnincd to the conclusion that the
best interests Of the Republican party
Of this state will be subscrvcd II now
retire to private life. hoping thereby
that M present effacement Ms polit.
ical factor In Colorado will restore
peace and harmony now so sorcly
needed In the Republican party OF this
| state.
"In taking this step. It affords me
| pleasure TO say to the people OF Col.
| orado that my legal successor In onice.
the Honorable Jesse +. McDondald. is
n true and loyal Republican. as firmly
devoted to Its principles and policies
rs I am. I confidently believe that he
will carry out both In letter and spirit
the true Republican doctrine that law
and order must be preserved Mt all
hazards. that every law-abiding citi-
zen shall be permitted to freely enter
into contracts OF employment with
whom and for what wage he may elect
free from any domination or control
by so-called labor organizations or 9TH
ers, The business interests OF Colo
rado and Its welfare will be rs fully
safeguarded in his hands as though
| remained at the helm of state.
"I feel that have been cruelty as
persed by those who should have
stood by me loyalty. but 1t is not meet
| that I should dwell upon this topic.
For the good OF my party. for the best
interests OF the state l love SO dear.
the step I am about to take seems hoc-
| essary from the standpoint Of patri-
otism. retire from the office n much
poorer man than l entered II. and l
indulge in the hope that in the near
future those whose enmity has prompt
ed me to retire from public life will
come to a realization OF the fact that
their ill.regard was undeserved.
For the foregoing reasons ! now
herewith formally and unqualifedly
resign the office Of governor of the
state of Colorado. the same TO take ef-
feet Immediately, to the end that my
lawful successor, the Honorable Jesse
| F.. McDondald. now lieutenant COVER
| nor Of the state. may be forthwith duly
| inducted into office as governor or Col.
orado. Respectfully submitted.
JAMES Fl. PEABODY.
Governor of Colorado"
1