Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1899-04-04
The Political Situation in This City.

1t is not to the credit of the Republi-
| cans of Santa Fe that they have allowed
the choice Of nominees for municipal
offices to be made the occasion of play
ing even for old grievances, and of
starting d~issensions by allowing person
al ambitions too much force. The ne
c~essity of maintaining an unbroken
front to the enemy every day in the
year calls for ignoring such petty mat
tiers. Party organization should never
be weakened. The New Mexican is for
a regular organization first, last and all
the time. To abandon it is to invite po-
litical ills. Under our form of govern
ment party contests constitute the best
method of getting the best officers,
Only party organization and obedience
to regular party authorities can main
tain strength and bring success.
There have been local conventions
which have acted in a manner that did
not meet with the approval of this
journal, and candidates nominated who
NCIC IlOl plCd0lllS W IAN ANSN VhC<NiSoi,
but the paper has in such cases taken
up the burden and done good service in
carrying the ticket along the road to
victory. Just so has the paper stood
for regular methods of proceeding dur
ing the petty imbroglio preceding the
election today. 1t cared little which
of the aspirants were nominated for
the local offices. That was a matter of
minor Importance. Fairness, however,
called for support of the regular party
organization. There was no shadow of
an excuse for contesting delegations.
They resulted from actions of men who,
in some cases at least, were prompted
by personal animosity or desire for re-
venge for bruises received in the last
county campaign. Personal ambition
led others to an improper course. In
ward A it certainly looked as if the
trouble was inspired to secure support
for Democratic nominees. In this mat
ter the New Mexican has no one to
punish, no one to push. 1t stands for
party control by party machinery. The
ticket headed by Mr.. I. Sparks was,
without question, the only legitimate
and regular one. Personal considera-
tons should not blind any one to the
fact in such a case, nor should other
considerations outweigh in such affairs.
This comment is written while the
result of the squabble is yet unknown
as to it's final effect. Whatever the con-
sequence of the division may be, this
wrangle should have a salutary effect
upon the Republican party Of Santa Fe.
Had there been a general attendance
of the better element of the party at
the primaries, as the New Mexican
urged, the disturbers would have been
silent.
The paper sought to have Republi-
cans do their party duty, and worked
for the nomination of the best men. 1t
stood up for party regularity when the
issue came; it advocated turning down
the contesting delegations. The advice
was needed, and refusal to recognize
the boilers followed. That point gain
ed Is important. The New Mexican
proposes to hereafter have a good deal
to say along this line, and when the
next campaign comes will be found
where it is now, on the side of regular
ity, discipline and party usage. It will
ever be ready to point out ~renegades
and party treachery in a way that will
bring defeat to them. The New Mexi-
a has long been on guard, and pro-
poses to stay at It's post through thick
and thin.