Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1890-08-22
REPUBLICANS VS.. We CAPS.
A Timely Review of tiSituattons in
San Miguel County Bne Who
Is on the GroI.

LAS VEGAS, n. M, Aus, 1890.-As
indicated heretofore, it is te reasonable
to presume that there ybe no Demo-
cratic party in San Mel county this
year That party has n effectually
swallowed by the Whitap party, and
its leaders are in trainingth White Cap
leaders, and so far as II, known there
will be White Cap ket, against a
straight Republican ticke
"A few so-called Republns here either
through fear or atfectiolre also crook
ing the hinges of their wk knees to the
White Cap element, but are so few,
that they can be countedl ones fingers.
Their reasons, il given, wild not surprise
any one, and their politicallegiance has
always been mistrustet But there is
another view OF this qstion, and it is
by no means discouraginp Republicans.
The conduct of the WhiCaps and their
abetors is bringing to us emocrats who
never voted Republicaicket, and who
would even now be Demrats, had their
leaders not rushed heaong into the
embrace Of lawless ng. | was in
formed few days ago by Democrat OF
long standing and great lnuence, that he
would drill iI the Demuatic ranks no
longer, saying "that whe the party he
belonged to lost its spirit ad ambition to
such an extent as to becom supplicant
for White Cap favors, he united nothing
more to do with it," Hesupplemented
his statement with the remark, that
there are fifty others his circle who
will do as he does. Wit Republicans
here it is:
speed the parting, welcomed tie coming guests"
The Republicans of Sar Miguel county
accept the issue. There will be no child's
play at this election. Every worker in
The party will be on had to contribute
his strength to the partys success. The
TACT that few disgruntiM office seeking,
mischief making sore-hea1s have left us
is regarded with perfect satisfaction. The
process has been tried in this
county time and time again, and has
proven a -sisnal faflkfa <Sga will bave
10 ' inore Of It. It is tie Republican parEy naEy
this time, pure and simple, against the
ield. 1t is law and order against vio-
ence. 1t is the party of advancement
against mob OF unhoy combinations, in
which the White Caps the Democratic
eaders and political exles, constitute the
ank and file.
Official negligence has made the White
Zap order here, a possibility. Nothing
'lse. There would be no White Caps
lere had the high sheriff had the courage
O nip it in the bud, IS he could have
lone. There never has been time since
he White Cap organization and the COM
nencement OF its depiedations, when a
'igorous officer could net have weeded it
'ut and suppressed it. Finding that the
heritf had not the purpose, and may be,
he courage, to call to his aid a posse
they became Pmboldened, and
'ut of assurance of theirfreedom from at
ack, surrounded his house and made
port of his unwillingness TO confront
hem. They rode through the principal
treets of the town, during which time
men could have been collected,
nd every White Cap made a prisoner.
But nothing was done. If the sheriff Was
fraid, afterwdrd his fears gave way to
for latterly we find him sup
'llcant for their mercy and their favors.
hey ordered him to take down his fence,
nd as meek child he complied with the
rider, rolled up his wire and stored it
way.
For this and other acts of subserviency
10 expects their support for reelection.
his is somewhat hulliliating confess
ion for the great county of San Miguel
0 make, but it is true. The responsible
Y of lawlessness lies between the two
actors named: The White Caps for
it, and the sheriff for not
uppressing it, no sort Of apology can
estroy this fact. Not even the COVER
or's reward which he offers for the ap-
rehension OF fence cutters, has taken
he sheriff or single deputy out of Las
,egas. The latter, of course, are not to
lame, for they are but subordinate Off
ers. This is the White Cap history OF
an Miguel so far as the sheriff is con-
erned. A sheriff who was bent on the
erformance of his duty without fear or
lvor, could arrest fifty White Caps here
l twenty-four hours. There is scarcely
ny attempt at secrecy among them. A
undred men could point them out, if the
lerif should seriously desire any lnfor-
lation on the subject.
The White Cap organization here found
s conception in the brain of a few
mbitious, worthless characters, whose
'ndency is toward nihilism, and who
,0lld rather see the nr0nertY of fhei |