The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1910-09-10
DISCORDANT DEMOCRACY.

DlSCORDANT DEMOCRACY.
The Clear Creek county democratic
political pow-wow was held in the OPP
era House on Monday. 1t was a
scorcher. For over an hour before the
time of converting there were side
whispering Indicative Of the coming
storm. CONSERVATION and alarm was
depicted upon the countenance of the
leaders while the followers dropped
their heads in moody forebodings.
About ten O'Clock Chairman A. J.
McAndrews grabbed big stick and
by vehement pounding on the table,
with the same vim that Lajois handles
the willow bat, he finally got his ag-
gregation in a quiet mode. Mr.. v. l.
Noxon, the secretary, proceeded at once
to read the call issued by the demo-
cratic state committee concluding it
with few choice gems from the rules
of the state committee. This was fol-
lowed by another interesting serial
call from the prolific pen of the dem
ocratic committee of the congressional
district. When the reAdinR of this
was concluded, the chairman asked
convention what it "would do with the
calls" when the secretary informed
him that there was another important
chapter to the political story that he
wanted to read, namely the reading Of
the call in pursuance of which the dele
gates had assembled. County Assessor
Tom McGrath was unanimously elected
temporary chairman and took his seat
without the formaIity of an introduc-
ton as the presiding officer. Then our
only and original Jim Humphrey was
cho sen secretary without dissenting
voice and assumed his duties with a
profound bow and hands spread out in
the attitude of professional base ball
catcher. AS no paper had been fur
nished for the occasion, representa-
tive of the Siftings- News, relieved the
situation by rendering a supply and the
convention proceeded toward par
limentary organization and continued
10 Sklrnl1D dIOulu tuI6 ulICCtlOH I'LL
til the final adjourn ment.
At this point of the proceedings, Mr..
E. L. Reggenitter asked the consent
of the convention to make few re-
marks, IS he was not a delegate. which
was granted. After explaining in an
olive branch style his actions as MEM
ber of the state committee, he unearth-
ed his thnlahawk and proceeded in a
vigorous manner to trim off the olive
limbs. Then harmony (O poured into
the room in dense volumes, through
doors, windows, stage openings and
skylights. He recounted how his fell
low democrats, Messrs. Ellis and
Noxon, had packed the caucuses in
their interest. He stated that he had
been informed that there was graft
ing on the part of the commissioner
and that the filial affection between
these brothers-in-law at present was
different from "what it used to be-"
His remarks became so emphatic and
spiced with harmonious (?) expressions
that point Of order was raised and
sustained that caused the speaker to
take his seat after another parting
thrust.
After some bantering, Mr.. Ellis was
permitted to make reply and stated
that all this howl about graft was due
principally to an oversight in putting
in bill for three days time in excess
of the legal number for year. amount
ing to only $500, and that when his
attention was called to the error he
Immediately returned the amount and
held the treasurer's receipt for the
same. He stated that in reference
to other insinuations that were
hummed around he had letters of
justification for his acts from the At
torney General and the Governor, to
whose attention the matters had been
called. Furthermore he stated that
now he would be q candidate for re-
nomination and reelection but that if
people wanted grafters in the court
house. they must not vote for him as
he would not stand grating. And
then the delegates looked around with
a quizical expression, WHO, WHICH,
WHAT?
Then Judge Walter S. Hobbs took
the floor with his customary dignity
and in emphatic tones and no uncer-
tain words, gave the convention to un-
derstand that as the chief executive
officer Of this county, he did not pro-
pose to stand for any grating wheth-
it was for overtime, excessive mileage,
illegal telephone charges or having
the county pay the premium on surety