The National tribune., 1906-08-30
coMRADE COOK 1n,ron CONGRESS.

IL required nOoprpphet to foreteii thai
so popular a man and suoh a public
spirited and tireless a worker as Past
. Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief Geo
w. Cook, of Colorado. would be pressed
30 run for Congress The wonder. rath-
er, Is that this wastnot done long ago
1t has come npw, land Comrade Cook
bows to the strong demand. The Den
yer Republican osayF:
-"On his return from participation in
the Annual Encampment of the Grand
Army of the Republic, finding on his
arrival large humaer of letters bear
ing on this subject George W. Cook, of
this city, known throughout the length
and breadth Of Colorado as a stalwart
Republican, yesterday announced his
candidacy for the nomination for Con-
gresham n-at-Iarge on the Republican
Party ticket. Ever since Mr.. Brooks
stated that ne would not run again
friends of Mr. Cook have been deter
mined to get him into the race.
.ln many ways Gen. Cook is admir-
ably fitted for the place to which he
aspires. He has strength in his State
and lie has strength at Washington. He
has the friendship and confidence of
many public men at the National Capt.
tai. He has used his influence for the
benefit Of the State on more occasions
than one. He was an active factor in
the tariff bill provisions on lead and
manganese. and in G. A. r. affairs he
has done wonders
1T is a question whether another
man in the State has as many personal
friends as Gen. Cook. He has the mag
netism that draws people to him and
the loyalty that holds them. He Is a
great fighter for his friends As rail-
| road mininr fnr
some Of the larger industries in the
State he has thousands of supporters
among the wage-earners.
"A year ago his greatest triumph
came with the magnificent success of
the Grand Army of the Republics En-
campment in this city. For more than
| a year Gen. Cook worked to make the
Encampnent notable. He accomplished
more than he really set out to do, for
| the gathering was more than success
full: it was magnificent; it set the stand
ard and 1t brought name and fame to
Denver. By unanimous consent the
laurels were given to Gen. Cook, who
| was elected Senior Vice Commander-in-
CHIEF. This year he would most likely
have been elected Commander-in-Chi
Of the battle-scarred organization had
he been willing to accept the honor. but
| he would not enter the race.
"Mr. Cook is a Republican who never
| wavered or faltered. In the dark days
Of 1896. Gen. Cook stood out boldly for
| the party and his friend. William Nc
Kinley He was willing to fight for the
cause, and did so whenever the occasion
arose. On election day he drove around
the city. the drummer boy of the old
brigade. fighting as heartily for his
party standard on the streets Of Denver
as he had done for Old Glory on a
greater battlefield.
"In everything that has tended to ad-
vance the good Of Denver Mr.. Cook has
taken an active part. AS President of
the Denver Business Mems League he
has done great deal toward further
ing the commercial interests of Denver
within the past year"
Comrade Cook has given out the fol-
lowing letter announcing his candidacy:
"In view ofIthea wide publicity ac-
corded my name during the past two
months as a prospective candidate for
the nomination fof Congressman-at-
large, take thfs opportunity of thank
ing my friends for their kindness and
also to announce that l have decided to
yield to their solicitations by. allowing
my name to be presented to the Repub-
lican State Convention.
while always. active In furthering
the interests OF the Republican Party,
with which I baye been identified for a
lifetime, / have never sought or held a
political office, with one exception, and
that was when I was twice elected
Mayor Of Leadyille. Each time / was
returned by an overwhelming majority,
and was unanimously nominated for
third term, which l very respectfully
declined.
For 27 years I have been actively
engaged in developing the latent wealth
nf rtn 40 md in, that a,tt,, t,o 20
employed thousands Of men. I have
always been a consistent friend Of Or
ganized labor, and am honored with
the good will and friendship Of thou
sands of miners, railway employees and
men and women engaged in our chief
industries. who have Joined In urging
me to allow my name to appear as their
candidate for Representative in Con-
greSS.
THE old soldiers, their relatives, fam
lilies and auxiliary organizations in this
State, who will poll $4,000 votes, have
also especially urged me to be a candi-
date.
II was unalterably opposed to plac-
ing sugar beets and hides on the free
list. and have always favored the pro-
lection Of industries. especially those
which are Of vital Importance to our
own beloved State, and. II nominated
and elected. 1 solemnly pledge myself
to use my best efforts to interest the
Government in the expansion of irriga-
ton, reservoir systems and experiment
tai station. to develop the wonderful
agricultural and horticultural resources
Of our State, thereby increasing our
population to measure commensurate
with the importance Of Colorado, re-
claiming the plains and valleys, and
thus materially inuring to the prosperi-
ty of the farmer and all producers by
reducing taxation.
THE interests Of the people at large
in a young State like Colorado cannot
be served better than by stimulating in
terest in our lands. by diverting the
tide of immigration that rolls by our
doors. building up the wealth Of ad-
joining States and Territories.
with proper representation at
Washington and at the various seaports
and in our Consular Service. I am GER
tain that we can attract an army of
hardy people to till the lands that are
begging for settlers. Every other State
IL spending hundreds Of thousands of
dollars In this movement. and am con-
fdent that q little well-directed per-
sonal energy will produce results that
Will increase our population 25 to sol
per cent within few years.
without egbtisrn, l desire to express
the belief that through my extensive
personal acquaintance with Senators
and congressman all over the United
States, with whom I have held close
friendly relations, and familiarity with |
the work Of Congress. that I will be in
position toi accomplish a great deal
for the people of, Colorado