The Delta independent., 1915-04-09

not come through he would get the
whole committee, and in addition he
made individual threats to two mem
bers, and when they declined to meet
his demands, he threatened to get"
them, too. The issue was squarely
made as to whether this body was
working for the people of the state or
whether it was working for the Den
yer Post
/ stepped on to the floor of the
House and moved the expulsion OF
Mr.. Mitchell for the remainder of the
session, which was carried without
dissenting voice among either Demo
Gratis or Republicans.
Following this, a caucus was held,
of Republicans and Democrats separ-
ately. Without dissenting voice in
either caucus every member of the
House decided that they could not sub
nit without protest TO the attitude OF
this newspaper The following resolu-
tions were unanimously adopted by
both caucuses:
Whereas, The Denver Post has In
various and sundry issues. by insinua-
tion and false charges, reflcted upon
the character of the members of the
House of Representatives of the Twen-
tieth General Assembly, and persist
emily questioned the integrity and hon
esty of purpose of said body; and.
Whereas, The Denver Post has in
terfered with and attempted by direct
threats to control the actions of non
partisan committee of the House, ap-
pointed to investigate the conduct oil
one of its members, while said inves-
tigation was still in progress; and,
Whereas, In the issue of the Den
yer Post under date of March 10, 1915,
the proprietors of said paper openly
charged the members of the Assembly
with indecent and wanton conduct;
and
Whereas. The Denver Post did in
its issue of March 10th untruthfully
charge the House with dereliction OF
duty and wauton carelessness in the
difficult and highly responsible duty
OF investigating a fellow member
charged by rumor with serious Of
Tense: and,
Whereas. The Denver Post of the
same date has published untrue and
malicious statements about and has
sought to heap disgrace and contume-
~ upon the House OF Representative
and the committee appointed by the
House to investigate the rumors rela-
tive to the action of one of its mem
bers. for the reason that said COM
mittee declined to give out advance in
formation relative to the work of the
committee; and,
Whereas Ii has been hitherto i'm
possible for the committee to get the
facts in the investigation because OF
the refusal of certain newspaper men
to divulge the sources OF their informa-
tion, and the committee has been 9TH
erwise unable to make more rapid
PROGRESS without the aid of evidence
brought out by the diligence of the dis
trict attorney and the grand jury OF
Denver recently sitting and endeavor-
ing to bring out the truth in refer
ence to these rumors; and.
Whereas, The said committee OF
the House is making a thorough non
partisan Investigation. open TO every
one. in a conscientious effort to ar
rive at the exact truth; and
"Whereas, The House of Represen-
tatives has full faith in the honor and
integrity of said committee, and re
sents the statements and reflections
unjustly cast upon them; now. there
lore, be 1t
Resolved. That for the remainder
Of this session the Denver Post be de
MED the privilege of a representative
or reporter within the chamber"
moved the adoption OF this resolu'
ton. Mr.. Fincher, minority leader.
seconded the motion, and without
dissenting vote the resolution was
unanimously adopted The Post re-
ports no Democrat voting for this reso-
luton and only caucus-bound Repuo-
lican vote cast for lit. Every Demo
crat voted for it and every Republican
voted for 1t. The issue for public opin'
ion TO pass on is this-is the Legisla-
ture of the state of Colorado bound to
submit to slanderous attack? Do the
people desire to substitute the DONNA
ton OF newspaper demands for the
discretion in conduct of their duties
with which they are charged as repre-
sentatives of their constituents. and a
responsibility owed only to this super
ior authority Are self-respecting men
called on to endure this form OF in
,imidation without protest? How can
this legislative body be built up to the
standard which We all hope to see II
such bulldozing is endorsed? Is this
kind of outside influence any improve
ment on the other sinister type from
which we are recovering, and from
which this Legislature is sinsularly
clean? We all concede the desirability
of complete publicity. and that every
member should be held accountable
for his. vote.