12. Soapy aligned himself with corrupt Denver officials in opposing the governor
In 1892, Davis Hanson Waite ran for governor of Colorado as a Populist, promising reform of the corruption in state and local governments. He won, and in 1894 ordered the removal of the commissioners of Denver’s excise, fire, and police departments, in the belief that they were on the payrolls of the Blongers, Soapy Smith, and other of Denver’s underworld. The Denver politicians refused to comply, and were joined by other city officials who feared losing their jobs. Smith offered his services and was hired as a deputy sheriff. He in turn hired several of his men and they prepared City Hall for open conflict with the state militia.
When it was reported to the governor that open warfare was likely, he recalled the militia and used the courts. The State Supreme Court decided that he was within his rights as governor to remove the officials, though he was chastised by the court. They found that he had escalated the situation to the point of it being hazardous to the citizens of Denver. The offending commissioners were removed, and Waites installed new officers which were allied to him. Soapy Smith returned to his office retaining his commission as a deputy sheriff, which he would soon use to his advantage.