The Black range. (Robinson, Socorro County, N.M.) 1882-1897, 1884-10-24
Boiling.

W. T. Pratt the present probate CLERK
IL al independent candidate for re-
election and is actively at work 60
secure the office. The RANGE had grea'
respect Tor Mr.. Pratt both as a gen.
tieman and an officer and would have
heen pleased TO see him nominated by
the republican convention. but Il has no
sympathy for the man who goes into u
convention, remains In II % the close
and then refuses to abide by its action.
Mr.. Pratt, to be sure. feels that he is
%aggrieved. and In his own mind at
tempts to justify himself by the state
meht that the convention was packed
against him and that money was used
TO buy delegates who were pledged 60
him. Granted but yet where was the
cause for a bolt. Mr.. Pratt's friends
purchased votes openly and above
board by contract implied II not ex-
pressed, and would have bought more
had they thought he needed them.
The RANGE expresses ITS belief that
the convention cost Mr.. Pratt more
money than II did Mr.. Webster and
that his justification for coming out
independent and working against the
entire republican ticket is am halluci-
nation Of his own mind.
The candidates who entered the re-
publican convention striving for the
nomination each expected TO win. They
used every effort TO accomplish their
ends and while the RANGE is free To.
admit that pa, ing money for votes is to
be condemed ut all times, yet it is
equally certain that II is as fair for one
side as for the other AND that no man
has a right TO complain II he is beaten
at his " game. Mr.. Pratt and Mr..
Webster could not both be nominated
by that convent ton. and lad Mr.. Web
ster been defeated and then went TO
work against the entire republicans
ticket Mr.. Pratt would have had "A
right tn consider himself abused.
When a man takes part ina convention
he tacitly pledges himself to accept its
verdict and stand by its nominees and
IN the absence of a most foul outrage
he dishonors himself when he fails TO
do so.
1t Is claimed for MI. Pratt that be-
cause he has served under appoint
ment faithfully and well and with pos
sibly no remuneration above expenses,
that he is entitled to an election for
two years more. But the argument is
lame. That Dir. Pratt has proved a
capable officer the RANGE will BIO the
last to deny. but the people had moth
ing to do with his appointment. lie
was not given the Office in Difference to
their wishes and they are under obi.
cations to nobody except themselves
for his continuance. His friends
sought the office for him and he took
his chances for a reelection when he
accepted. If he has lost money by
hthiliE IL Hlo llitilhS anu lob lht pun
lie at large are ms debtors. The SAINT
is true of the sheriff and all other Off.
GERS.
The duty of the republicans of Sierra
county IN this campaign is plain. They
should stand by the ticket nominated
and exert every effort to see that il
wins at the pools. In this the first
election OF Sierra county they cannot
afford TO go off after every side show
that happens along, There has been nj
objection raised as to the qualification
of any man on the republican ticket t
Gil acceptably the Office to which b,
aspires and in the absence of sucl
charges there is no excuse for scratch
ing. Therefore don't scratch and let i
be shown that Sierra is a republican
county.