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the return of General Grant to the country he saved, and should he conclude to be a candidate for reëlection we pledge now the six votes of the Centennial State.

The Democratic Convention assembled at Denver on September 23d. G. Q. Richmond was chosen chairman, and subsequently he was nominated as the candidate for Associate Justice. The following platform was adopted:

The Democratic party of the State of Colorado, in convention assembled, renewing its pledges of fidelity to the Jeffersonian doctrine that this is a government of the people, where the will of the people should rule, does hereby declare.

That the grave question to be determined by the American people at the election of 1880 is, whether a republican form of government shall remain to the people, or one republican in name but monarchical in fact. That in the arbitrary action of a fraudulent President, by which he and his party defeated the will of a majority in the Senate and House of Representatives of the American Congress, and maintained the right of the Federal Executive to surround the polling places in all the States with troops, and of deputy marshals to arrest citizens at the polls without oath or warrant, can only mean a determination upon their part to use these agencies to maintain themselves continuously in power; and that in clamoring for the

nomination of General Grant for a third term as President they are but seeking the man who, as shown by his repeated acts of usurpation while President, and his unlicensed use of Federal troops to control the domestic affairs of sovereign States, has the will to carry out their revolutionary and wicked designs.

That we denounce the combination of crimes by which the country was cheated and robbed of the rightful possession of the offices of President and Vice President of the United States; that it was a plot and fraud unparalleled in free government, and one which should not be condoned, and must never be repeated.

That the action of the Republican party in demonetizing silver was a perfidious breach of the trust reposed in them by the American people; that the action of the Democratic party in securing its remonetization was an act of justice performed in response to the demands of the people, and one which has made resumption not only possible, but a success.

That as the law now exists the Government discriminates against the silver product of the country, in favor of gold and the creditor classes. That, like gold, the coinage of silver bullion into standard dollars of 4124 grains each should be continued.

The result of the election was the success of William E. Beck, who received 16,920 votes, to 12,702 for G. Q. Richmond, and 1,246 for G. B. Saulsbury. In each of the four judicial districts the Republican candidate for District Attorney was elected.

The returns of the assessors of the various counties of the State, except Arapahoe, to the State Board of Equalization, of the valuation of property of all kinds, give the following

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841,263,550 70

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To this should be added the assessment of Arapahoe County.. Following is a summary of the grand totals of stock: Horses, 57,107 heads, valued at $2,136,768; cattle, 424,040 head, valued at $5,640,178; sheep, 664,059 head, valued at $1,075,308; swine, 8,918 head, valued at $35,215.

In the assessment of railroad property the Board made an increase over that of 1878 from $1,200 to $2,000 per mile, in order to bring the railroad property up to an equalitv with other property in the State. The reture of their work present the following results:

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Some interesting facts were presented at the meeting of the State Board of Health relative to climatic influences in the State. instance of Leadville was presented, where two years ago there existed a sage-covered valley whose population scarcely numbered a score, but where there has sprung into existence a city with a present population of over 12,000, and whose increase is at the rate of 2,000 per month. This rapid accumulation of humanity-drawn from almost every portion of the continent, transplanted suddenly to an altitude of over 10,000 feet above sea-level, many of them living under circumstances of comparative discomfort, and ignoring the most important hygienic laws-promises to furnish an opportunity for observing the development of exotic diseases under new conditions; and,

although at this time a few facts may be brought in review, they can not, without further and more extended observation, be formulated and made available for purposes of study. By far the larger part of the population live in hastily built houses of wood, unplastered and devoid of most of the concomitants of comfort. In the hotels, boardinghouses, and lodging-houses a system of crowding necessarily prevails, that in many localities would be productive of much disease. In many of the boarding-houses about the mines the conditions are even worse. The bunkrooms are often arranged to contain two or three times as many occupants as should be lodged in them, often located above the cooking rooms, and receiving through the loose floor or open stairway all the odorous gases from below; beds used both by night and day by alternate occupants, according to their hours of labor, and never subjected to the purifying influence of outdoor air and sunshine; slops, bones, and refuse thrown outside, and remaining near the doors for months. These are the conditions under which many of the miners live-conditions that, under greater degrees of heat and moisture, would breed pestilences from which none could hope to escape. In the city itself the greatest neglect of sanitary precautions may be observed. In the back lots and alleys may be seen heaps of filth and garbage in which are stored the potential germs of manifold disease, only waiting the liberating influence of the spring sun to call them into action and enable them to begin the work of destroying human life, opposed by no disinfection save that which is furnished by the incomparable climate. Thus far the city, notwithstanding its crowded condition and lack of comfort, the irregular hours and hurried unsettled life of the greater portion of the population, and the almost criminal neglect of sanitary measures by the authorities, has not shown an unusual amount of sickness or a large mortality. The total number of deaths occurring in Leadville and the surrounding country during the seven and a half months ending February 15th, as collected from the records of the various undertakers, was 115. The average population for this time by conservative estimates was 9,000. This gives an annual death rate of about 2 per cent. From the above total at least 25 per cent. may be deducted for deaths due to violence, accidental or criminal, and those that may be fairly attributed to intemperance.

Some remarks were made on the subject of clothing. When thermometrical changes are Bo frequent and sudden and great as in this altitude, the subject of proper clothing becomes at once important and suggestive; and the further fact that nearly two thirds of the present population are to some extent invalid, makes it imperative on the medical profession to advise, promptly and positively, as to the changes necessary to protect the bodies and

persons of their patients. The fall and most of the winter months the weather is generally very pleasant during the forenoon of each day, but often soon after noon becomes windy and sometimes quite unpleasant. The morning then is inviting. The invalid feels the necessity and the benefit of a ride or open-air exercise. Late rising unfortunately is the rule, and almost invariably the start is made as late as eleven o'clock. The air is balmy; the sunbeams fall warm and pleasant, and, in spite of the kind advice of mother, wife, or friends, the party insists that the present wrappings are quite sufficient. A cold is the consequence, and several days of confinement and doses of medicine follow. From the first of November until the first of May, and sometimes later, the thermometric changes range from 10° to 30° during the twenty-four hours. True, the atmosphere is dry, and this change does not produce the results that an equal change in the lower altitudes does and will; yet, to preserve health, these changes must be met by a corresponding change in clothing. The body must be protected in all such cases-in the robust as well as the debilitated-or harm to some extent will and must be the consequence. Again, this protection of the body is carried to the extreme in the other direction. many times the physician stands with stethoscope in hand (when a patient presents himself for the first time at the office for a careful examination of the lungs), waiting and watching. Coat and vest are removed, then shirt after shirt, until several great, heavy flannels

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enough to tire a common horse to carryare laid aside, and the "end is not yet." A complete case of chamois skin, buckskin, or perhaps red flannel lined with some of these, and known as "chest protectors," perfectly impervious to air, water, and perhaps lightning, is then removed. In such cases disease is certain-if not from hereditary or acquired cause, most assuredly from abuse in careful protection.

The following plan was proposed at the session, by which pure air may be introduced into any room or building without the least draught, giving free, pure ventilation without exposure or any possible chance of the air striking the patient or sleeping occupants of the chamber, or seated congregation of a public building, until it has passed the entire circuit of the room. It consists of a single flanged piece of zinc, galvanized iron, tin, or sheetiron, attached to the upper sash of the window, so arranged that, when the windows are lowered two inches (sufficient for pure ventilation), the flange or protector extends half an inch above the casing, leaving a half-inch space. The side-pieces are fastened to the casing on the inner side at a certain distance from the top, so that the flange, when the window is opened the desired distance, will come exactly even with them, thus forming a complete box, compelling the air as it rushes in to ascend to the ceiling. No air can possibly es

cape from either side, and, when the window is closed, the side-pieces are not in the way, the whole being no incumbrance or inconvenience, not interfering with any kind of curtain, blind, or drapery.

An exciting contest broke out between the Denver and Rio Grande and the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fé Railroads, which at one time reached such a pitch of violence as to make it necessary for the Governor to call out a military force to preserve the peace. The editor of the "Denver Tribune " has furnished full details of the grounds of conflict, from which it appears that about 1870 the Rio Grande road commenced from that city with the intention of ultimately reaching the capital of Mexico. At this time the English road-gauge of three feet was introduced and adopted by the Rio Grande. The road soon became popular, and after several years was extended, first to Pueblo and afterward to Cucharas; from Cucharas to El Moro; from Pueblo by a branch line to Cañon City; and afterward from Cucharas to La Veta, and across the Sangre de Cristo range of mountains to Garland, and thence to Alamosa, on the banks of the Rio Grande. At the time when the construction of the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fé road reached Pueblo, the Denver and Rio Grande controlled the trade of southern Colorado in every direction, and was in excellent position to make a move in the way of building. It had the advantage of being nearer important passes in all directions than any other line. From El Moro it commanded the Raton Pass and the route via Las Vegas and the trade about Trinidad and southeastern Colorado and New Mexico, except that portion lying along the Rio Grande River. This latter section and the San Juan country was controlled by the branch to Alamosa or into San Luis Valley. Here also the Rio Grande people had the advantage of having a road built over the Sangre de Cristo mountains, a formidable barrier, and an opening line building along down the Rio Grande as far as it might be desirable to go. The Cañon City branch ended almost in the mouth of the Grand Cañon of the Arkansas, almost the only southern opening to the Upper Arkansas and Gunnison centers, and one of the most desirable and feasible routes to the San Juan. Thus fortunately situated, they controlled the trade of the entire south, besides seeming to possess every advantage. An understanding with this line was indispensable to the Santa Fé, whose terminus was at Pueblo. On the other hand, the Santa Fé became of importance to the Rio Grande. The first road was the great trunk channel for the outlet and inlet of the business collected by the Rio Grande. That the two roads should work together in harmony was the most natural thing in the world. In fact, they were regarded as almost an unbroken line from the Missouri River to Denver and other points covered by the Rio Grande. The most perfect harmony prevailed.

But this blissful state of affairs lasted no longer than until the Santa Fé people began to show their ability and desire to be independent. Such a step as this on the part of the Santa Fénians was not for a moment to be thought of. The Rio Grande officers resisted. This led to a strife between the two companies, which has been going forward with occasional remissions since March, 1878. It began on the Raton Mountains, which at the point of crossing constitute the line between Colorado and New Mexico. The Santa Fé began to assert its intention of building into New Mexico and of continuing its line toward the Pacific Ocean, in accordance with its original plans. It was one bright, crisp, frosty morning that the Rio Grande people awoke to the knowledge that the Santa Fé company had decided to run a branch line of their road across the country from La Junta, a station in Colorado some eighty miles east of Pueblo, to Trinidad. Here, the terminus of the Rio Grande road being at El Paso, only four miles distant, the roads would become competitors, and the Santa Fé would have the same chance to command the Raton Pass and the trade of New Mexico as the Rio Grande road. Almost before the parties knew it themselves, each company had a hundred men in the pass asserting its right of way by preparing the way for the road of its line. Intense excitement was the natural consequence, and the wildest rumors were set afloat concerning affairs at the point of contact. It was more than once reported that the employees of the two roads had come together, and that several had been killed. Fortunately, in each instance the report was successfully contradicted. This contest attracted great attention. It soon bounded from a matter of local importance to a place where the entire country looked on with interest. It then became generally understood for the first time that the Santa Fé road had aspirations to cross the continent. The prospect of creating a transcontinental line which should destroy the vast monopoly which was said to be extorting money from the public in all directions was greeted with the heartiest good feeling from every source. Hence the fight on the Raton Pass became a subject widely known and spoken of. The Atchison Company began at the same time to build its line from La Junta. It has now been many months since the road was completed to Trinidad, over the switchback into New Mexico, and it is now striking hard for Las Vegas in the heart of the Territory, with an excellent prospect of opening its line to the Pacific during 1880. It has certainly "scooped" the New Mexico business from the Rio Grande, even if that road should continue in possession of the line which it now holds. It only remains to be said concerning this fight that the Santa Fé people made short work of their opponents, and were soon masters of the entire situation, leaving not even a taste for the Rio Grande.

This affair was followed by another of the same nature, which became even more famous than the one just spoken of. Reference is made to the Grand Cañon war-the fight for the possession of the right of way through the Grand Cañon of the Arkansas-the most sublime and terrible gorge in the eastern slope of the Rocky range. This fight has since figured in one shape or another in nearly all the State and Federal courts, from the police court at Cañon City to the Supreme Court of the United States. It began on the 19th day of April. It was born on the 18th, or perhaps sooner. It is agreed between the parties that there was considerable cipher telegraphing, and it is generally believed that the Rio Grande people possessed themselves of the key to the Santa Fé's cipher; that they sat in their offices at Denver and at Colorado Springs, and became acquainted with the design of the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fé company to begin to build a road through the Grand Cañon. While the Raton war was still raging quite furiously, the discovery was made that the Rio Grande people were likely to be attacked at two points at once. Leadville was just then beginning to be an important point for consideration, and the Rio Grande people decided, as between the Grand Cañon and the Raton Pass, to concentrate their efforts on the Cañon. Having ascertained, as above stated, that the Santa Fé people expected to begin operations in that great chasin, the Rio Grande folks attempted to offset them by getting in first, with the idea that if they were the first to obtain possession it would be impossible to oust them. A spirited scramble ensued. Mr. Strong, General Manager of the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fé road, was on April 18th at El Moro, where he heard of the preparations which were going forward on the part of the Rio Grande people to cut him out. He at once made application for a special train to carry himself and men from the spot. The Santa Fé Railroad had not then been completed from La Junta. The Rio Grande people refused the train. Thus he was shut up in that little town, without power to get away, when it was so important that he should be elsewhere. Nothing was left to do but to call in the assistance of the telegraph. Engineer Morley of the same road was at La Junta. He was instructed to take a special train to Pueblo and outrun the Rio Grande people for the Cañon. He came into Pueblo as if on wings, arriving there at 3 o'clock on the morning of the 19th. He asked for a train, but it was refused. At the same time the Rio Grande parties were making preparations to send one hundred men, duly equipped, to the site where the interest centered. Morley was in a corner apparently, but he lost no time. He procured the fastest horse that could be found, threw himself astride his back, and turned his head Soward the mountains. He had forty-five miles of road before him and a special train to compete with. It is needless to say that he rode

fast. The horse was killed, but the goal was gained. He rode into Cañon thirty minutes ahead of the train. He did not have a man at his back, but this was an obstacle of very little importance to him. He found Cañon City already in arms against the Rio Grande, and ready to do anything in the world to bring another road into the city. They were sick and disgusted with the Rio Grande and its explorations. Almost to a man the citizens threw off their coats-professional and non-professional men; all laid down the shovel and hoe employed in their usual avocations, to take up the pick. When Engineer McMurtrie of the Rio Grande road arrived on the scene with his hundred followers, he found what was to him a surprising state of affairs. Morley with his one hundred and fifty civilians had taken possession of the mouth of the Cañon and had graded a firm piece of road-bed. Thus began the cañon contest, which was unsettled fourteen months afterward. The attorney for the Santa Fé, Mr. Gast, now applied to the county judge of Fremont County, and obtained an injunction against the Rio Grande parties. The matter was soon brought before the United States Court at Denver. The Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fé Company then was known technically as the Cañon City and San Juan Company, the name of a local organization. The Rio Grande claimed possession because of a special act of Congress, and the Santa Fé people set forth that they had filed the proper plats of surveys as required by law with the Secretary of the Interior, and that the Cañion City and San Juan Company had not done so. Though often enjoined by Judge Hallett of the U. S. District Court from remaining in the cañon, the Rio Grande men staid there day after day and week after week. Up to this time no one had ever penetrated the Royal Gorge, except in winter when the river was covered with ice, and then but very few went in because of the great danger. Now, however, the Royal Gorge was the home of hundreds of men. They swarmed in there like bees in a hive, climbing about from place to place almost like flies on the wall. There were at one time 1,500 men in the cañon attached to one side or the other. They had no communication with the outside world except that afforded by ropeladders suspended over perpendicular walls a thousand feet high. During this time the men were armed, and an open outbreak and bloodshed was at all times imminent. It was feared that there would be war on a great scale, and the militia practically lay on their arms for a fortnight. Several parties were arrested for transgressions of the law. Indeed, the excitement ran up almost to the fighting point, and remained there for two weeks. At last a truce was called. The white flag was raised. That happened in this way: The Rio Grande people had become so thoroughly offended with the Santa Fé people that they had long since annulled all traffic contracts with that road,

and had sold themselves to the Northern combination, including the Union Pacific, the Kansas Pacific, and the Colorado Central. Thus the Santa Fé was cut out of Denver completely. The Rio Grande would do nothing to accommodate them. This was a disagreeable circumstance, and it was agreed that it must be remedied. The most expeditious way in which to accomplish this end was to build a road from Pueblo to Denver. The road was incorporated and the engineers sent out. They located their line, and the money was at once subscribed to construct it. The Rio Grande people were quick to see that such a line as this would ruin them, and hence they agreed to lease the constructed portion of their road to the Santa Fé Company. This lease was effected on the 19th day of last October. The Rio Grande people took their men out of the cañon, but said that they desired to have the case go forward in the courts as to the right of way. The money was paid over for running stock and implements, and the lease sealed and signed for thirty years.

Soon Leadville began to be a most important point. Emigration poured in and business improved immensely. It was then that the Rio Grande people began to wish that they had their road back. They had no other reason, and their wishes in the matter were the hotbed out of which have been sprung any number of schemes. As soon as it was determined to make this effort there was a great gathering at Denver. Very soon after a suit was brought in El Paso County, in the name of the people, requiring the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fé Company to show cause why it operated roads in Colorado. The case was appealed to the Supreme Court of the State. Subsequently another bill was brought in Costilla County, requiring that the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fé Company should be enjoined from operating railroads in Colorado. Judge Bowen granted the writ, and it was served, and the Rio Grande people took possession by force of arms, killing three men in doing so, and wounding several. The former company then applied to the U. S. District Court for a writ of restriction against the Denver and Rio Grande Company for a return of the property. Judge Hallett, with Mr. Justice Miller concurring, said:

Without going into discussion whether firearms were used, whether any one was killed during the controversy, whether violence was used, it may be assumed, I think, upon all that is stated upon both sides here, that this road was not peaceably surrendered by the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fé Company to the Rio Grande Company; that some force was used under this writ to obtain possession; and, if that be true, the result is the same whether the force was much or little. The fact remains that, under a writ which did not authorize any such proceeding, this company obtained possession of this property; and whether the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fé Company quietly yielded to the force of the writ as it was interpreted to them, and gave up under protest, or after some show of force was made, or after

force was actually used, the result is the same in either case the possession of the property was unlawfully obtained. It only remains to say upon all that, if these things are true, that process of the Court was used in some way to obtain possession of this property, and unlawfully used. And if so, it appears to me that, before any other proceeding is taken in the cause, the parties are entitled to be restored to the possession in which they were before the writ was issued; that is to say, the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fé Company is entitled to have this property restored to them.

The controversy continued to rage in the courts and out of them with increased bitterness, until it was finally terminated by the action of the U. S. District Court in placing the Rio Grande road in the hands of a receiver.

Meanwhile the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fé Company proceeded with the construction of the road through the Grand Cañon, which was a stupendous achievement in railroad engineering. The Grand Cañon of the Arkansas is now known to be eleven miles in length, and the gorge a mile and a half, being the narrow winding way of that river through a converse palisade of granite rock, rising in many places to the height of 2,500 feet. This rock-bound river pathway became known to the Spanish missionaries as early as the year 1642. From that time it was not known that any animal life had ever passed through it successfully until the summer of 1870. The first train passed over the road on May 7th, and the event is thus described by the Denver paper:

On reaching the cañon the engine was placed in the rear, so as to give a better view to the tourists. The approach to the cañon is gradual. The distant hills draw nearer, and the valley of the Arkansas becomes narrower and narrower until the river is shut in closely on both sides by high mountains, sloping gently away, and covered with verdure. Then the slope of the mountains becomes more perpendicular, and the hills become higher, until suddenly the river is completely shut in by mountains with mighty tops. The roar and rattle of the train grows louder, and echoes up and down. The train is fairly in the cañon. It moves slowly. The mountain walls are of a dizzy height, and so close together that, looking ahead, they appear simply to form a crevice-a huge, awful crevice-through which the miserable little train was timidly crawling. The curves of the cañon are superb. They constitute the finishing touch to its grandeur, and fill the mind with a fuller appreciation of this great miracle of nature. But the Royal Gorge! Imsto a height of 2,200 feet, and only thirty feet apart, gine two almost perfectly perpendicular walls rising those walls presenting jagged and irregular masses of rock that on the railroad side hang over the train, all creviced and ready to fall in thousands of tons. The road-bed is cut out of the solid rock, and masses of this hang over it, stretching out a hundred feet. One can not look to the top of this wall on account of these projecting, irregular bluffs; but the height to the top, even as measured by the eye, disturbs the faculties and brings on vertigo. The cooped-up Arkansas rushes madly by, a narrow thread, made still more so by the rocks thrown into it. There is not room to step from the train without pitching into the river. Not a word is uttered. The engineer whistles occasionally, and timid folks look for the rocks to fall. It is really a strain on the mind to take it in, and this can be only feebly done on a single trip. Two thousand feet above you are the tops of the mountain walls. You are imprisoned in a crack thirty feet wide, and

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