Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1896-04-14

~ Correspondent over There Sugs
gests the Cause OF the Defeat
Of the Republican City
Ticket.
TO the Editor Of NE Optic.
SANTA FE, N. NJ, April 18th, 1896.
Il want TO first thank you for your
kindness in sending me q copy ofyour
paper OF yesterday, containing an edi-
torial on the recent city election In
Santa Fe and to ask you to allow me
to reply, through THE OPTIc, to what
| consider a malicious and unmitigated
falsehood In said editorial. II is not
my intention to affirm Or contradict
what Is said against the democratic
Tor violating the law, for the reason
that l I'M not personally acquainted
with any such occurrences on election
day, and only know Of them through
rumor and town talk, but / do want
to say something with reference to
what, in my judgment, among other
things, caused the defeat Of General
E. L. Bartlett and j. q. Sena, who
were the candidates for mayor and city
clerk, respectively, on the republican
ticket; also, on what seems to be a
reflection on Judge N. b. Laughlin
and thespriests, not that the judge and
the priests are not amply able to take
care Of themselves, but as the writer
of the information contained in said
editorial seems to be an enemy
of the truth, Of the Judge, and of Cath
Ole priests, it would be impossible for
me to say a word In either Of these
three instances, without dwelling on
the other two.
1t Is simply ridiculous to try and
put the blame for the defeat Of u
candidates on such a llimsy pretext as
'.raising the race issue" on the part
of a native, for the history Of politics
in New Mexico proves, beyond the
slightest doubt, that II the t'race"
question has at any time figured in
politics, it has not originated, nor has
1t been agltated, by a native, but that in
all instances it has been done by that
floating, good-for-nothing element of
Adventures who show up among us
suddenly; work themselves into the
friendship and sympathy OF the prom
inent native leaders of both parties,
and, relying on no other claim or
rights for political promotion or po-
litical recognition than their everlast-
ing, smiling treachery and astuteness,
manage through the kindness of the
natives, and with the aid Of the
American politician, to run on the
tickets for, generally, the highest
offices. thus getting the prestige
and Offices that rightfulIy belong
to the natives and bona fde
residents Of our Territory. When /
say bona fde residents, I refer to the
people who have come amongst us
from other parts of the country have
cast their lot with US; have become
part OF Jul communities, and conse-
quently, have something in common
with us; that these citizens, together
with the native element, are totally
by designing politicians and
cork. candidates, whose only
interest in our welfare is the money
they can make at our expense and
then 60, saying, ssthe Mexican always
gets it in the neck" As a rule, these
men are the ones who raise the alarm
on the 'srace" question. No, 1t was
not the race question that defeated our
candidate.
1t was, first and above all, lack of
harmony in our ranks, and, secondly,
the editorials published by the New
Mexican on the day before the day of
election, placing Gen. Bartlett as the
attorney of the water company, (as
though that was a crime) and as the
enemy Of the poor farmer, not in
exactly these words, but substantially
in such language, and rejecting on
The moral character Of j. d. Sena.I
Had religion and the race question
at all, then the democratic
candidate for city clerk, Mr.. Andrews,
would have been defeated by his re-
publican opponent, who is Catho.
lie and q native.
As to Judge Laughlin's winking at
and condoning the disobedience Of his
(for certainly such is the spirit
the phrase). ! think the writer must
nave some grievance against the Judge,
'or certainly Judge Laughlin has
proven himself an impartial Judge and
las not hesitated to severely reprimand
n open court democratic sheriffs and
,ther high officials for offences not as
'erious as that OF disobeying the order
VI the court.
As to the "Catholic priests having
preached sermons against candidates,
lot of their faith, running on the re-
ticket" I will say the man
Who gave you the information has
ither been made the victim OF a ven
'mous and slanderous tongue, or is
he willful instrument of the avowed
nemies Of the Catholic church, the
|. P. AS, who believe that in this
ountry of freedom and liberty, God
as created all men equal, except the
,atholics. As a Catholic and a re.
'ublican, / love truth and fair play,
nd abhor SANDER and cowardice. /
hallenge your informant to cite the
ames of the priests and the words
sed by them, and earnestly request
inn to rise 10 the dignity Of a man
y signing his name to his articles.
Our party will never triumph, here
! Santa Fe, until 1t is purged OF its
demonstrated bosses, some Of whom
ave not been in the party long enough
be recognized in any other light
as simple privates.
Yours respectfully, D
BENJAMIN M. READ. ,