I know that there are no limits to which
the powers of privilege will not go to keep the workers in slavery.
-Mother Jones
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Saturday March 18, 1905
Denver, Colorado - Republicans Rule: Governor Peabody Seated with Promise to Resign
Ex-Governor Alva Adams
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At long last,
the efforts of Colorado Republicans to overturn the will of the people of that state have come to fruition. Governor Alva Adams, elected to office last November by a large majority, has been unseated, and Governor Peabody has been returned to office. The unseating of Governor Adams came at a price, however, when a scheme was hatched whereby Peabody was required to promise to resign soon after his inauguration. According to reports, the resignation has already been signed and turned over to
W. S. Boynton for safe-keeping. The aim of the scheme was to smooth over the moral dilemma of those Republican legislators who were uneasy about overturning the state's election. Should Peabody resign, as promised, his place as Governor will be taken by Lt. Governor Jesse McDonald, Republican of Colorado.
From the Los Angeles Herald of March 17, 1905:
PEABODY SEATED, MAY NOT RESIGN
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INTIMATION THAT PLEDGE WAS ONLY A RUSE
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ADAMS HIGHLY INDIGNANT
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Chairman of the Republican State Committee
Says Promise to Retire Was Only Part of Their Plan
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By Associated Press.
DENVER, March 16.-James H. Peabody today won his contest for the office of governor, from which he retired on January 10, after serving a term of two years, but his victory was achieved only after he had given his pledge to resign and surrender the chair to Lieutenant Governor Jesse F. McDonald.
Standing on the portico of Governor Peabody's residence tonight, while a band played and a chorus of voices shouted congratulations to the governor, D. B. Fairley, chairman of the Republican state central committee, engaged in conversation with a representative of the Associated Press:
"Will Peabody resign?" he was asked.
"I think not," was the reply.
"Has he signed a resignation?"
"A tentative one, yes."
"What will be done with it?"
"Nothing," answered the chairman.
"Was this a part of the plan to seat him, Mr. Fairley?" the reporter asked.
"I believe so," responded Mr. Fairley.
Pledged to Resign
At the conference at which the bargain was made pledges were given to the independent Republicans by the heads of four large corporations who had been active supporters of Peabody that he would retire after being seated and Lieutenant Governor McDonald to take the office of governor.
Governor Peabody's resignation, it was said, was placed in the hands of W. S. Boynton, and will be filed by him with the secretary of state tomorrow.
Governor Adams, who had spent the day packing his effects, surrendered his office to Governor Peabody shortly after 5 o'clock this afternoon. Scores of letters, telegrams and telephone messages had reached the executive chamber during the day advising Governor Adams to hold his office by force, but he decided to ignore this advice.
Adams Is Indignant
In conversation he said he felt out-raged at the action of the general assembly and expressed surprise that Mr. Peabody should become a party to what he termed a conspiracy to secure the office of governor for a man who had no claim whatever for the place. Later Governor Adams will issue a formal statement to the public regarding the result of the contest.
Jesse F. McDonald, who is slated to become governor of Colorado, was born in Ashtabula, Ohio, in 1858. He came to Colorado in 1870 and has extensive mining interests in Leadville and elsewhere.
Governor Peabody was escorted before the joint assembly by a committee after adoption of the report, and resolutions restoring him to the office of governor. He was greeted with cheers. The oath of office was administered to him by Chief Justice Gabbert. When the applause following the ceremony subsided Governor Peabody thanked the members of the legislature for having "done their duty," and assured them that their action would meet with the approbation of their constituents. He said that his election would do away for all time with criminal elections, and if this end was attained a great good would come to the state.
No Hint of Retiring
No hint was given in Mr. Peabody's speech of his intention of resigning. The joint convention adjourned until next Tuesday, when it is expected a report on the bribery charges will be made.
Governor Peabody, accompanied by Adjutant General Sherman M. Bell and a number of friends, went directly to the governor's chamber after the conclusion of the inauguration ceremony. Governor Adams had left when Governor Peabody arrived, but the retiring governor's private secretary, Alfred Patek, was still in the office. Governor Peabody inquired for Governor Adams and when told that he had gone, said:
"I am very sorry. I had expected to see him."
Governor Peabody then introduced himself to Mr. Patek, remarking that he had been seated as governor, and offered to shake hands.
Mr. Patek drew back and uttered a contemptuous remark which caused Colonel F. N. Gross of the Colorado National Guard to seize Mr. Patek by the shoulder and demand that he repeat the remark he had made.
Before Mr. Patek could reply General Bell separated the two men.
Governor Peabody remained in the office about twenty minutes receiving congratulations from many callers.
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From the Oakland Tribune of March 17, 1905:
PEABODY SAYS "THEY CAN HAVE RESIGNATION"
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Colorado Muddle Relative to Governorship is Still Very Much Unsettled.
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Lt. Governor Jesse McDonald
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DENVER, March 17.-The Denver Republican, which has been a consistent supporter of Governor James H. Peabody throughout his political career, today says that he has determined to resign the Governorship to which he was inaugurated yesterday as a result of the decision of the joint assembly on the contest filed by him against Alva Adams. It says;
Today a conference will be held which will be attended by the leading Republicans of the State and Governor Peabody will leave the matter with them. If he consulted his own desires he would step aside before the week ends. However, he made no pledges that would be binding, if it were to the interest of the State or the Republican party to hold him there.
Chairman D. B. Fairly of the Republican State Central Committee, is opposed to the Governor resigning.
Lieutenant Governor McDonald is quoted as saying:
I am in the hands of the leaders of the Republican party. I have no personal knowledge that Governor Peabody is going to resign. I have not been consulted I can say that if I become Governor that I will assume the office without being pledged to anyone or any faction.
MAY NOT RESIGN.
DENVER, MARCH 17.-The uppermost question in legislative and political circles today is whether Governor James H. Peabody will repudiate his resignation, which was written in advance of the action of the General Assembly declaring him entitled to the office for purpose of influencing Republican members who would not otherwise vote for him, but who wished to place Lieut. Governor McDonald in the Governor's chair. That Mr. Peabody gave his pledge to resign within 24 hours after his inauguration is positively known by scores of members of the legislature and others and is not denied by his friends. Nevertheless, D. B. Fairley, chairman of the Republican State Committee, has strongly intimated that Gov. Peabody will not resign and that his resignation, which was placed in the hands of W. S. Boynton for filling with the Secretary of State, was merely "tentative," and will be withdrawn.
Gov. Peabody himself is noncommittal on the subject of his resignation, merely saying he is "in the hands of his friends," and will do whatever is decided to be for the best interests of the Republican party. To a message from friends in Victor, Colo., inquiring whether he intended to resign the Governor replied:
If they want my resignation they can have it.
HAVE POSITIVE ASSURANCE.
Positive assurances were given to-day by prominent Republicans who supported Gov. Peabody earnestly during his contest for office, that his resignation would be filed, and Lieut. Gov. McDonald be sworn in as Governor before night. The undated resignation of which W. S. Boynton was made custodian is addressed to Secretary of State Cowie, and reads as follows:
I hereby tender my resignation of Governor of colorado to take effect immediately.
(Signed.), JAMES H. PEABODY.
[Photograph added.]
An Editorial from the Oakland Tribune:
The Colorado Infamy.
Colorado Republicans Plot to Steal an Election
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The outcome of the Gubernatorial contest in Colorado is a discreditable ending to a discreditable piece of business. When the majority in the Legislature stooped to dickering and making terms with representatives of corporations as to whom they should declare elected Governor, they disgraced the State and disgraced their commissions.
Either Alva adams or James H Peabody is entitled to the office of Governor. On the face of the returns Adams had a majority of 9,774. Now Peabody has been declared elected on condition that he resign and let Lieutenant-Governor McDonald take the office. The deal was made by agents of corporations, and Peabody signed a resignation in advance of being voted into office. In other words, Peabody was willing to do anything to rob his competitor of the office to which the people elected him.
But it is not so certain that Peabody will resign. Having been inducted into office, he can repudiate the resignation if he desires to do so. A man who has shown himself to be so unscrupulous in getting an office is not likely to hesitate about repudiating a corrupt bargain entered into to accomplish his ends. The whole proceeding is a travesty on popular government and an affront to public decency.
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[Drawing added.]
SOURCES
Los Angeles Herald
(Los Angeles, California)
-Mar 17, 1905
http://www.newspapers.com/...
Oakland Tribune
(Oakland, California)
-Mar 17, 1905
http://www.newspapers.com/...
http://www.newspapers.com/...
IMAGES
Alva Adams
http://en.wikipedia.org/..._(governor)
James H Peabody
http://www.newspapers.com/...
Jesse McDonald
http://www.rebelgraphics.org/...
Colorado Republicans Plot to Steal Election
http://www.newspapers.com/...
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The Battle Cry of Union
We are fighting for our rights, boys,
We are fighting for our homes,
Shouting the battle cry of union;
Men have died to win the struggle;
They've died to set us free,
Shouting the battle cry of union.
The Union forever, hurrah boys, hurrah!
Down with the gunthugs, and up with the law;
For we're coming, Colorado, we're coming all the way,
Shouting the Battle Cry of Union.
-Frank Hayes
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