La Junta tribune., 1917-08-09
UxDER THE CAPITOL DOME
BY Alva A. Swain

Whatever may be the final result
of the legislative fight over Governor
Gunter's program. the fact remains
that once again has Democratic
governor been compelled TO appeal
directly to the members of the Re-
publican party to aid him in main
tanning state government while the
members OF his own party, including
several federal oiiiceholders, have de-
liberately gone on the floor OF the
house and senate and done their best
to defeat the proposed legislation. II
Governor Gunter was of the same
temperament as Bob Speer, there
would be half dozen or SO federal
oilice-holders lose their jobs. or Pres
ident Wilson would know that his
employees were monkeying with the
buzzsaw.
However, that is a Democratic mix
up, and the object OF this article is
TO show that when Colorado really
needs friend. her governor, whether
Democratic or Republican. invariably
appeals to the patriotism. stability
and integrity of Republican leaders
and of the Republican masses TO pro-
duce that friend for the state. The
picture of the Democratic party for
saking Governor Ammons, and of the
/ Republican party coming to his res
cue, is not yet dry on the memory
screen of this state. We all remem-
Der how. when the state was In the
crucible. and the fires were about TO
consume not only her laws. but her
constitution, the Democrats from the
highest TO the lowest. turned tail and
ran. Governor Ammons appealed to
the Republicans of the STATE. and II
was the Republicans of the legisla-
ture, backed by the party leaders and
the solidarity of the Republican
masses. that kept Colorado in the
sisterhood OF the states. unblemished
so far as supporting her constitution
is concerned. We yet remember how
Governor Ammons' name was Kissed
in the Democratic state convention.
and how the Republicans endorsed
/ friends"
The same situation prevails today.
Governor Gunter has outlined n pol
icy which he believes will keep Colo
rado in the correct light before the
rest of our sister states. The Demo-
cratic majority of his legislature Is
opposed TO his policy The Democrat
ic ofiice-holders. both federal and
state are. in the majority. opposed TO
II. Governor Gunter finds himself
confronted with the situation that the
hold back element" is going to OBJ
struct his program. There was moth
Ing else for him 10 do but 10 appeal
on the broad plane OF patriotism to
the Republicans. Calling in Demo-
cratic State Chairman Miller. Speaker
OF the House Best. and Leader Of the
Senate Adams. Wednesday morning.
he told them the situation and said
'1f Colorado IN 10 be saved TO her
people and herself in this crisis. IL
must be done through the members
OF our opponent party. the Republi-
cans: call them in--let's lay the stu
alton before them-confess the ina
bility OF our own majority member
ship 10 realize the situation as II ac-
tualiy exists. and appeal to these men
to save the day" Best. Miller and
Adams got busy. and before Thurs
day night. tho situation had NO
cleared that II appears that the day
IL saved.
VIII the people OF Colorado ever
come TO the realization that In times
OF crisis. II Is the Republican leader
ship OF this state that saves the day?
VIII they ever como 10 the full know
ledge that In times OF peril. II Is the
Democratic ofiice-hoidcrs who would
rob the state OF her constitution dla-
monds and leave her lying assaulted
and outraged In the gutter OF chaotic
mobism7