The Lamar register. [volume] (Lamar, Colo.) 1889-1952, 1915-12-22
Correspondence from the Capitol


EObAl bu6llAtoo man NeAhfa al inventory
at the end of the year to learn wheth-
er he has been making or losing mon
ey, 50 the citizens of state should
inform themselves as to what their
servants have been doing with the
trust committed to them.
They should inquire whether the
promises they made have been kept,
whether their oaths to enforce the
laws have been observed, and whether
the states honor and credit have
been maintained.
One year ago Federal soldiers were
cncamped in six counties oil the state
and their commands were the su-
preme law. The state had done what
President Wilson said was inconceiN %
able-surrendered her sovereignty.
Labor was threatening and sullen, cap
ital was timid and suspicious; busl-
ness was almost paralyzed. Today,
owing to wise laws passed by the late
legislature and the firm and fair po-
sltion taken by the executive officers,
industrial peace reigns throughout the
length and breadth of the state.
Labor has been emancipated from
the despotism of its own leaders, has
accepted concessions that have been
made them and are working under
better conditions and for more pay
than ever before in the history of the
state; while capital has been convinc-
ed that law will be enforced and order
preserved and has voluntarily assum-
ed responsibilities which it is to be
hoped will prevent any such out
breaks as have occurred in the past.
One year ago the states credit
was almost destroyed. Certificates Of
Indebtedness issued to suppress the
insurrection were being hawked about
for whatever they would bring and
were frequently sold for as low as
from so to 20 cents on the dollar
Even state bonds were away below
par Today, nearly all the Certificates
have been redeemed at par and the
rest will be upon presentation. Bonds
cannot be had for less than par and
accrued interest and every claim
against the state is met the day it is
due Over $4,000 in excess war
rants, issued by the last administra-
ton to pay for penitentiary supplies,
have been paid and many old ap-
preparations, including one of $780,
900 for d Denver viaduct, and another
Of several thousand dollars for a
Grand Junction bridge, have been sat
isfied.
One year ago, those interested in
the manufacture and sale of intoxicat-
ing liquors, angry at the adoption of
the prohibition amendment, were
predicting disaster to the state and
threatening all kinds of opposition to
the enforcement of the law. Today, |
they are patriotically and philosophi-
cally accepting the situation and it |
looks as now though one of the great
est changes in the social customs of |
the state was to be brought about |
without any concerted opposition, and
that business, instead of being injur-
ed, is to be enormously benefited.
The administration can hardly claim
credit for the splendid crops and good
prices that our farmers have enjoyed,
but for the stable conditions, content
ed workers and the growing feeling
Of fraternity which exists, they GER
tainly can claim some degree of the
credit
Probably the two busiest and most
efficient branches of the government
at the present time are the Industrial
and the Public Utilities
Commission. The latter has been in
existence for several years but just
muddled along in the usual demo-
cratic way without accomplishing
much Of anything. 1t has been reor-
ganized the past year and is now an
active, virile force in the state gov
arnment. The Industrial Commission
is more than justifying its existence.
A number Of serious labor disputes
have been amicably settled. In a num-
Der of cases labor conditions have
been materially improved and re-
spect for law has been instilled into
the minds of both labor and capital.