The Ordway new era., 1908-01-17
TX ARRAICNS
he PRESIDENT.
Apo CONGRESSMAN sE.
RELY SCORES THE AD-
MiNIsTRATioN.
kND FRAUD CASES
PROMINENT CITIZENS
sERE VICTIMS OF PoLiT
icAL PERSECUTION.

hington.-ln a personal lette
he has addressed to the Presi
Ind vice president. Speaker Can
nd all members Of Congress. the
es of the Supreme Court, mem
pf the cabinet and the Washing
ewspaper correspondents. George
box, Republican congressman-at-
from Colorado. severely ar
the administration for its
De In prosecuting alleged infrac-
of the public land laws In Colo
ngressman Cooks letter follows:
b Dear Sir-I most earnestly pro-
against the continued high
ed, pernicious political persecu-
made by certain of the depart
bureaus OF the government in
city, branding many OF our most
rable, upright and law-abiding bus
men OF Colorado as criminals.
heir only information and au-
lty for such malicious statements
reports made to them by non.resi-
special agents and prosecutors
to Colorado. whose accusations
INST innocent men are for the sole
Jose OF securing personal promo
In Washington and the opportun.
or the governmental bureaus here
disseminate among the press
ughout the country misrepresenta.
B as 10 timber land and coal
hes that do not exist in Colorado.
Fudge Robert +. Lewis, OF the
led States District Court, Denver,
December cath. Goth. and Both.
khed all OF the indictments against
)e thirty OF our most worthy and
htable citizens, several Of whom
been engaged actively in business
Colorado for thirty years, on the
bnd that the government had abso.
ly failed to furnish any evidence
htever against these men-a most
ging and severe rebuke by Judge
lis ian appointee of the present
binistration.)
Active preparations were made by
lain high officials In Washington
the prosecution of these cases.
BY condemn honorable men of un.
kstioned integrity before they were
nd guilty of any violation OF the law
even given an opportunity OF de.
jse.
Judge Lewis decision gives univer.
satisfaction to all our people In
orado regardless OF their political
liations and Is endorsed by our
fss: in fact. every newspaper in the
te most heartily commends Judge
wis action. The truth has been vim.
ated.
In this connection | beg to call at.
tion to editorial below from The
lver Republican of December &c.
a. also editorial of December %,
u, written by ex-senator T. NJ. Pat.
son of the Rocky Mountain News,
hyer."
Congressman Cook then continues:
Referring to the action taken at the
Cabinet meeting of the year. De-
hber 3lst, as to the Colorado cases.
President criticised the judiciary
authorized the attorney general as
lows:
The government will use every
lans in its power to bring about in
! higher courts disapproval of the de.
ion rendered In Colorado by Judge
5wis.'
meet the issue raised by the impul-
Ne administration, but as to the pur-
pse on the part of the latter l can.
bt comprehend, unless 1t is to con-
hue in the 'limelight.' and therefore
le country will be saved-from the
hreaucrat's point of view.
The unprecedented and dictatorial
lcroachment of the executive against
lie executive and judicial departments
the government Is almost n daily
treat to the peace and prosperity of
lie republic and should be knocked on
lie head by the constitutional decis-
N OF the Supreme Court of the
nited States.
An article In the Washington Star
December 31st quotes the commits
oner of the land office as saying:
They will call eighty violations of
le land laws in Colorado to the atten-
on OF the grand jury and some OF
lese may involve number of per.
'ns whom Judge Lewis has dis.
larged.'
This is subterfuge bordering on
lie farcical and is disseminated to
lie press of the country for the pur-
'se OF misleading the public as to
''cailed land frauds that do not and
ave not existed in Colorado.
Our citizens In Colorado have with
atience submitted to these persecu.
ons for alleged offenses, and every
lr minded citizen should join in com.
endation Of the fact that we have in
y beloved country true judges who
lye the courage of their convictions
~ believe in Justice to every citizen
~ real square deal emphasized
IN conclusion / beg to say l as
'lne the personal responsibility for
atements herein made"
colorado visitors and members of
,e colorado delegation, decline to dis.
ent.