Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1902-03-20
A N0N.PARTISAM TICKET.
II Is Claimed That Many Citizens Would 30 10 Favor Of
Citizens Movement.

Santa Fe, N. M, March ~, 19O2.
Editor of the New .dexican: The sem
sible people of Santa Fe. and they are
the great majority feel as If politics
should cut small figure in municipal
elections. The political leaders of this
city belong to the sensible people, but
they often mistake the cry of a few
ward heelers who are for fight and
the shower of dinero that follows, for
the voice of the people. and give In to
them, although against their better
Judgment. Property owners especially
would like to see nOn-partisan citl-
zens' ticket nominated with men upon
it who are generally respected, who
are clean and who are honest as well
as capable. 1t Is well known that the
men best fitted for municipal offices do
not care to ta.1ee..d to tie s.oughs of
party contest and therefore will not
permit themselves to be nominated FOR
mayor, for alderman or for school dl-
rector. I know that there are several
very capable men who would serve the
city as city clerk and city treasurer
without salary and let the money
spent for salaries in previous years De
used to better purpose. The money
that is usually spent for political pur-
poses in municipal campaigns had bet
ter go into the fund to buy terminal
facilities for the Santa Fe Central
railway. No merchant ever employs
an inferior man because he happens to
be on his side politically, nor does any
industrial concern or railroad system
choose it's officers on account of their
politics. A city should be run upon
the same high business principles. The
income of this city is small and must
be husbanded carefully in order to Sc
cure any good results in city admins
tration. Why not let sensible men
such as the political leaders of both
great parties in this city are, as well
as businessmen, property owners, ana
all other good citizens get together Tor
talk on this matter, the same as they
assembled the other evening at the
board of trade rooms for another pur-
pose Of public interest? Such a meet
ing would do good. Let such a meeting
appoint a committee Of unselfsh men
to nominate a good non-partisan city
ticket and Santa Fe would be much
better off during the coming year. as
far as municipal administration Is
concerned, than 1t would after heat
ed political campaign. Surely Santa
Fe has no time and money to waste
over little political squabbles and why
should the property owners of this city
stake the welfare Of the city. the up
building of the future Santa Fe, upof
the result Of a political fight in whicf
only certain men are willing to ot
candidates and after which the victol
must pay off political debts rather
than give the city good, economical
land vet progressive city administra
tion. Let the ten or twenty leaders o
both great parties in this city get to
gether, let then discuss this matter
|call a citizens meeting and the miracl
which will give Santa Fe a bette
lstanding than ever before will be per
formed.
How long will sensible men continu
to trust the welfare Of their city an
their property interests in the hand
of irresponsible or grasping men whe
they might just as well give them in
to the hands Of men who are responsl
BILE, public spirited, unselfish, and pre-
gressive without being extravagar
and visionary?
A Pronerty Owner and Politician.