The Ordway new era., 1917-01-26

Of the Colorado State Grange a res
olution to change the laws affecting
the taxation of metal mines was un-
animously adopted by that body. 1t
struck every one as rather strange a
lot Of farmers should resolve on a
matter the very nature Of which was
foreign to them, and some Of the min
ing members OF the legislature COM
menced to little gumshoeing cam
paign. For sometime there has been
difference between the tax commits
sion and the metal mining interests
and the tax commission has recon-
mended change in the law which the
densome, most unfair and unjust. The
gumshoe brigade of mining men in
the legislature discovered the resolu-
ton of the grange was inspired by
the secretary OF that organization,
and then they disco ~ered the secre-
tary of that organization was an en-
ploye of the tax commission. 1t was
easy enough then to form the connec
tion. No one really takes the resolu-
tions of the Grange seriously. They
appropriate the feeling of members
of the grange to accommodate their
secretary who is a most estimable
young man, but they are trifle an
cry to think the tax commission or
any of it's members, should mislead
the farmers by drawing them into a
90 l., lit, Nt wi
dictive," said a mining member of
the house the other day, "but II I
was I think I could stir up enough
trouble to keep the men who inspired
this move busy for the balance of
their lives. There Is the charge from
a good many quarters, that the far
mers are not properly taxed. I think
they are but supposing, for instance.
I should feel like introducing a bill
changing the present method Of maxi
they like it?
The fact OF the matter is, the men,
bers from the mining counties and the
members from the farming counties,
are in complete harmony on this mat
ter and many of the farmers feel they
have been imposed upon by being in
duced to adopt the resolution refer
red to.
Friendship Exists
Possibly the most noticeable thing
in the present legislature is the feel
ing of friendship that exists between
majority and minority in both houses.
There seems to be no disposition on
the part OF any one to make cam
paign material for the next election.
This disposition was we'll illustrated
in the election contest which came up
from Denver county. Six democrats
contested the seats of six republicans.
in hand worked in complete harmony
and when thru found but one of the
contestors entitled to the seat, Mrs.
Hertz, democrat, having more votes
than George P. Winters, republican.
Before the report came into the house
Mr.. Winters arose and made mighty
clever talk. thanked the speaker and
the members Of the committee for
their showing of fairness and said
the only ones to blame for his being
unseated were the voters of Denver
who did not have judgment enough
to give him majority. He retired
from the house with a most friendly
feeling on the part of all.
Satisfactory Appointments
The appointments SO far made by
Governor Gunter have given general
satisfaction. Raymond Miller of XII
owa who comes to the land board,
is popular in Denver. Tom lyman has
won reappointment by the manner in
which he has held his position thru
different administrations and A. P.
Anderson who goes on the utilities
commission has experience and know
ledge which will make his a most
valuable member or that body. The
feeling seems to be that Governor
Gunter is going to seek the best men
for the positions at his disposal rath-
er than try to build up political ma
chine in any way. 1t is probable this
week will see a number of more ap-
pointments sent to the senate for con-
firmation. There seems little doubt
that all of the Carlson appointees will
be rejected by the senate.
Our own representative, M. e. Bas-
hor, has been taken well care Of so
far as recognition goes. He is on
seven Of the best committees in the
house and is playing prominent part
in the committee work. Representa-
tive Herzberger of this district,