The Lamar register., 1910-07-20
An Extra Sessian

Colorado is at peace with ltseii
and the world. There is neither
public turmoil nor disturbance Al
though there is a Democratic ad-
ADMINISTRATION the wheels OF govern
ment are running smoothly. Inc
courts are omen for the redress OF
wrongs and the enforcement oil JUS
tice. Possibly the state may not
have as many laws on the STATUTE
hooks as some OF our neighDors'
but we are managing to struggle
along in spite of this handicap. COZ
orado has not yet adopted all the
reforms that are being SO vigorous
ly advocated. but the people are
ouietly considering them and
watching the experience OF her SIS
ter states.
Taken as a whole we are really
doing very well. Even the dogs Oh
noIitics and partisanship have ceas-
ed to bark, and in these days wheh
the rest of the country is sweIter-
ing in the heat we are glad TO wei
come the visitors who come Tor
bealtb. rest and strength amid the
cool breezes OF the everlasting nils
But Governor Shafroth tells us
that this is an extraordinary oc-
casion.
The conditions are so extraor-
binary that he has found IL neces-
sary to call together the ia"ihah
ers of the state in special ana ex-
ira session. The constitution pro
yides that such action must be bas-
ed on some extraordinary reason.
The situation. according to the
government, is extraordinary IN
that the general assembly nearly
two years ago failed to pass law
providing for headless ballot. for
the initiative and referendum. or
q direct primary
Think of 1t! Think of several
hundred men called from their
homes in the mountains and from
the valleys and forced to swelter at
the state capitol to meet such
tremendous emergency as this,
1t seems that the Democratic
party in the campaign OF 1908 drew
up q platform in which there were
many promises. This is not aston
fishing. Democracy being in the
majority of cases a more or less
irresponsible opposition. has been
writing platforms for so long that
II Ia ready to promise anything in
order to capture votes. Our dis-
tinguished friend. Mr.. Bryan. was
q past master in the art of making
promises. He had a subtle instinct
for catching the popular fads OF
the hour, some good and some vic
ious. and placing them In his plat
forms.
The Colorado Democracy at the
last state election was most prolific
of promises. II agreed to give the
people almost anything they wanted
But when the party found itself
in control of the legislature II care
fully forgot all about the PLATFORM
IL elected a United States senator
who was frankly and unequivocaiiy
opposed to all progressive legisla-
ton.
Governor Shafroth reminded the
legislature of its duties In respect
to the platform but he talked to
empty benches. To tell the truth
the Democrats themselves dwere so
astonished at the sudden accession
OF power that the idea OF taking
n platform seriously was a joke to
most OF them.
The governor after all these
months has decided to apply the
whip of discipline to the party. But
he will find the child rebellious II
not incorrigible. and so far as the
people are concerned indifferent.
We have no serious quarrel with
zone of the propositions which the
governor insists the special session
must enact into law. The direct pri-
mary and the headless ballot are
really matters of considerable i'm
Icrtance. but can the people look
% rebellious legislature called In
, ,he heat of summer to enact desir-
llle lawsf
The Democratic party is recall
rant, and the chances are that
n, session will result in a useless
e. penditure OF public money
But academic discussion as to
the session ended with the COVER
nor's call. The gov irnor and the
party must abide by the conse-
quences of the folly.-Leadville