Coloradans on the Edge: Charles Spalding Thomas (1849-1934)

Charles Spalding Thomas was the 11th Governor of the State of Colorado, serving from 1899-1901.

Born in Darien, GA, Thomas served in the Confederate Army although his war record is obscure. After the war he went to the University of Michigan and graduated with a degree in law in 1871.

He moved to Denver thereafter and served as city attorney for two years starting in 1875. His regular law practice however was devoted to mining litigation which was robust during this period in Colorado's history. With the high stakes involved, litigation often turned to outright violence.

An avid member of the local Democratic Party, Thomas also was a member of the Democratic National Committee for 12 years starting in 1884. During that time he ran for US House of Representatives (1884) to the Senate (1888 and 1895) and for Governor (1894) losing all four contests. Finally he succeeded to the Governor's Mansion in the election 1898 serving one term from 1899-1901.

Like other Colorado politicians of the period, he was an advocate of the silver standard or bi-metallism, which tied the US monetary system to silver and gold.  Perhaps because of this, Thomas enjoyed support of Republicans as well in the election of 1898. In 1873, the US went to a monetary system that recognized the gold standard only which had an immense effect on western interests tied to silver, like Colorado was.

Thomas' chief focus as Governor was on realigning the state's revenue. With the loss of the silver standard, mines and claims depreciated which had an effect on state revenues making those revenues decline. Thomas replaced mine taxes with other taxes which ensured more steady revenues for the state.

Thomas went back to private practice until 1913 when appointed to the US Senate to fill a vacancy when US Senator Charles Hughes died. He was reelected in 1914 and served in the Senate until 1921. He fought a reelection campaign in 1920 but was defeated and thereafter retired from elective office.

He died on June 24th, 1934 and is buried in Fairmount Cemetery.