The Lincoln County leader. [volume] (White Oaks, Lincoln County, N.M.) 1882-189?, 1884-10-11
CONGRESSIONAL PLATFORM

convention assembled, hereby rcaf-
firm our devotion to the Republl-
can party, and our adherence to
the great principles whose advoca-
cy for the last quarter of a century
has made that party the champion
of civil and religious liberty, and
whose maintenance has contribut-
so materially to the happiness and
prosperity OF the nation.
We endorse the platform of the
National Republican party adopted
by its convention recently held in
Chicago, and its candidate for Pres
ident and Vice President there
nominated.
We heartily endorse the adj
ministration of Chester Arthur as
wise, prudent, and entitled to the
approval of all patriotic and CON
sentative citizens.
We tender our grateful thanks
to the Congress of the United
States for the wise and salutary
measures inaugurated by it in the
cause of popular education in the
States and Territories, and pledge
ourselves to make all efforts re
CURED of us to secure the liberal
appropriations proposed by Con
gress for that purpose.
We assert that there now exists,
and has for a long time existed in
this Territory a combination OF
men who have controlled, and who
will seek to control public affairs
for their pecunIarv and personal
advantage, and to the wrongful and
selfish advancement Of their pri-
vate interests, to the public detrl-
ment.
We charge that this combination
for the accomplishment of a selfish
purpose, and for their personal ag-
grandizcment, has, by corrupt me
thods, directed Il course of legisla-
ton that has resulted in the impos-
ing of an enormous and u%nnecessa-
ry debt upon the people of the
Territory. AS an illustration Of
what they have done III this con-
nection. we refer to the acts known
as the Capitol and Penitentiary
bills, the passage of which by the
late legislative assembly Of this
Territory was procured b ythc most
reprehcnsiblc methods.
In the name of the Republicans
party of New Mexico we dcnouncc
and repudiate these acts, and the
methods rcsorted to to secure their
passage ; and we pledge ourselves
to do all in Il power to relieve
the people of the Territory Of the
incubus Of this corrupt combina-
ton, and of the indebtedness Gre
atcd by their wrongful agency.
We assert that the management
Of public affairs in this Territory
has been Of such IL character as to
demand an investigation by Con
gress. We charge that in numer-
Gus instances Spanish and Mexican
grants of small bodies of lands for
pastoral and agricultural purposes
have been fraudnlently extended
and distorted over enormous bodies
of the pub ic domain not included
in the original grants and over min
eral and other rights not included
or intended to be included therein.
We find the courts OF the Terri
tory incapacitated to afford us re-
lief from these evils which imperil
our material prosperity. And we
pledge ourselves to do all in our
power to obtain an investigation by
Congress with a view to securing
such legislation as will afford the
required relief, and also such legis-
lation as Will ehectually secure the
remaining public lands to actual
settlers only.
We demand the exposure and
punishment Of the notorious fla
grant frauds by which large bodies
of the most valuable public lands
have been stolen from the Govern
ment and people by color Of the
pre-cmption and homestead laws,
and kindred acts. We pledge our
selves to the prosecution and pun
ishment Of criminals, public and
private, without regard to their pc,
litical faith or position.
We admit with pain and regret
that the action Of men who for
years past controlled the Republi-
can party has not been such as to
command public confidence, and
the principal object which we have
in view Is to remove the control of
the party organization from all sin
ister Influences.
We believe hat with respect to
-u.,, ,,1,., al ~.