Davis Waite Demolishes a Corrupt Denver in 1893

When Davis Waite took office of Colorado governor in January 1893, the first order of business: drain the swamp that was the corrupt political system in Denver.  He tried to replace several city officials.  They refused to leave; the mayor put together an armed force to protect city hall.

Waite called in the state militia and a standoff ensued.  But violence was prevented when the two sides agreed to leave the matter to the courts. In April 1894, the state supreme court ruled in favor of the governor, breaking up the Denver political machine.