The Idaho Springs siftings-news. (Idaho Springs, Colo.) 1905-19??, 1908-09-26
Silent on
Party Record
COLORADO DEMOCRATS MAKE NO
REFERENCE TO THEIR PARTY
RECORD IN THIS STATE.

RECORD IN THIS STATE.
One OF the extraordinary features OF
the state Democratic platform is the
absence Of any reference to the
achievements of that party in Colo
RADIO. The leaders OF course know
that the party has record: but 1t is
of such a character that the least said
about it the better from the Demo
cratic standpoint.
1t Is the intention of the Republican
campaign managers to see to 1t. how
ever, that the Democratic record at
the state House and in the Assembly
shall not be overlooked. The party OF
Mr. Bryan when In control in Colorado
demonstrated its utter incapacity to
initiate or carry through constructive
legislation. in much the same manner
as 1t was demonstrated by the Demo
cratic party when 1t controlled the
presidency of the United States and
the National Congress. 1t has left no
laws on the statute books in the ma
ton or in the state Of Colorado that
are of any special value. The most Of
them are trifling statutes covering Or
binary routine matters Of administra-
ton and police regulation.
A number Of the acts OF the last
Democratic legislature in this state
were unconstitutional A complete list
Of all the absurd performances of that
legislature would fill book. But it
is the intention OF the Republican lead
ers to see that this record Of incom-
potency shall be held up to the voters
in order that they may know what to
expect should the Democrats win In
the coming election.
Especial stress will be laid upon the
utter failure Of the Orman administra-
ton.
Extravagances prevailed in every de-
partment large numbers Of unneces-
sary clerks were idling away their
time. and the money Of the people.
Ordinary discipline and decorum In the
state Offices was not even maintained
Clerks and subordinate officials would
come and go at their will. The records
we're badly kept and the Offices were
used chiefly for social and political
conferences. 1t was a common thing
to go into an office in the State House
and find a group Of clerks laughing
or singing or telling stories, having a
good social time. The Democratic gov
ernor who permitted this sort of thing
used fund OF nearly two hundred and
fifty thousand dollars, which was ap-
propriated to pay the deficit of for
mer Democratic administration, to pay
for the extra salaries and expenses of
his administration. This act was In
direct conflict with the law.
The scandals in state printing are
matters still fresh in the minds OF the
| taxpayers. The most outrageous prices
we're paid for trifing articles. The
expense for printing in the Orman ad-
ministration was 231 per cent. more
than for the following Peabody ad-
ministration. These scandals were ex-
posed by the Denver Post and also dis
cussed publicly in the newspapers of
the state, by Ex-Governor Charles s..
| Thomas. The scandal in the fiat-tax
| accounts in the auditors ONCE showed
that the state lost over $685. as the
| result Of incompetency and a lack of
business judgment and economy in the
administration of the office. The sit
uation in the State House now is in
striking contrast to the conditions
prevailing under Democratic admins.
trations. Every department is con-
Quoted in an orderly business-like way.
Economy and efficiency are the order
Of the day. The Republican admins
trations have paid OF the deficits left
by the Democratic administrations.
/ Governor Buchtel's administration will
close with about s225.ooO cash on hand
over and above the amount appro-
J priated by the legislature.