Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1900-08-13
IN THE PECOS VALLEY
Political Pointers from Eddy and
Chaves Counties by a New Mex
ican Correspondent.
FAVOR HON. SOLOMON LUNA
An Exceedingly Light Vote at the Demo-
cratic Primaries in Eddy County-A
Prominent Democrat Who Will
Vote for Mckinley.

Special Cor. New Mexican.
Carlsbad, August lin the Iscos
valley, Eddy and Chaves county are
favorable to Hon. Solomon Luna for
delegate to congress, and it is practi-
cally certain that the delegate to the
territorial convention from these two
counties will be instructed to cast their
votes for him. In addition to having
every requisite for the delegateship, Mr..
Luna is a large stock owner, and has
the interest of that class of citizens
very much at heart. This fact appeals
very strongly to the Pecos valley con-
tingent.
An exceedingly light vote was cast In
the Democratic primary election in Ed
dy county, and the anxious nominees
are specializing as to whether the fall
ure of participation of voters was mere
ly due to apathy or aversion to pledg-
ing themselves to support the ticket.
The Republicans of Eddy county
have not yet held their convention, but
it is definitely announced that Jonn F.
Matheson, collector and treasurer, and
A. N. Pratt, county superintendent.
the two Republican officials of the
county, will be candidates for re -elec-
ton. The voters of the county hail the
announcement with elation. The record
of these two officials is without criti-
cism and as a result of their admins
tration the county has greatly benefit
ed. The tax-rols were never in so cor
rect condition as now, and as the col
lector has repeatedly added names to
the rolls that were negligently or GRIM
inally omitted by an incompetent DEM
ocratic assessor, people pay taxes now
who never did before. Mr.. Matheson
has performed the duties of his Office
without favor or prejudice, and the tax
payers are appreciatiye. County Sup
erintendent Pratt has reorganized the
school system, and Eddy county's
school facilities were never in so salts
factory a condition as now. These
facts are all apparent to the people who
have taxes to pay and children to edu-
cate, and their votes will go for per-
petuation of present conditions.
The cattlemen OF Eddy county. and
the Texas men who run cattle on Eddy
county grass, are celebrating con-
stantly these days to the end that some
way may be devised to stay the hand
of the government before the drift fen
ces are demolished. What plan will
evolve is uncertain, but certain 1t Is
that they will not again commission r.
S. Benson to represent them in Wash
ington. Mr.. Benson has the unfortun-
ate habit Of talking only not unwisely,
but likewise too much.
Ex-District Attorney John Franklin.
of the Pecos valley district, embracing
Eddy and Chaves counties, a man to
Democracy born, and who has always
faithfully cast that ballot without
scratch or erasure, is on record as stat
ing that this year he makes the excep-
ton. He is an honest believer in the
demand, merit and benefit of expansion.
and will cast his vote in aid of that pol
ICY The gentleman is located In Ell
Paso, being associated with Attorney
W. A. Hawkins, and Mr.. Franklin
states that the great Texas stronghold
of Democracy will show an increased
Republican vote in November. AS his
ballot will read-For president VIM.
Mckinley. it will be well to watch the
vote of Texas this year. for there are
others who will cross the line and vote
with the ex-district attorney. Mr..
throughout New Mexico, and Is regard
ed as one of the most brilliant pleaders
Of the southwest.
When Judge w. w. Gatewood, of
Maria, Texas, cast his lot in Carlsbad.
and became a member of the law firm of
Gatewood & Bateman, the Eddy county
Democracy figured that Its strength
had been increased, and checked the In
voice-"one silver tongued orator. Tex
as Democracy brand."-as correct.
Judge Gatewood has made three public
appearances on the speakers stand.
and the local leaders have now pulled
him down. He insists on pOrtraying the
beauties of expansion, and telling what
just, proper and good thing such
policy as is now being pursued by the
administration is for the people, gov
ernment and country. His speech in the
legislative convention at Roswell, al
most converted that assembly into q
riot, and the fiat has gone forth that
the judge must hereafter submit his
speeches to the censor.