Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1903-11-23
EXPLANATION MUST BE MAI

Some one who signs himself
Nestor Montoya', has written d long
article In which he condemns The
Optic for objecting to the ~misapprop.
ration Of school funds by Bernalilio
county superintendent. We haven't
the pleasure Of your acquaintance, Mr..
Montoya, but since you presume to
speak for the chairman OF the repub-
lican territorial central committee,
we have a few words to say to you.
You claim that no explanation oil
the charges against the republican
leader will be made in the newspapers,
but that defense will be made at
the proper time before the proper
tribunal. When will the time come and
what will be the tribunal? 1t Is true
that a Bernalillo county grand jury
looked into the matter and declared
there was nothing amiss. II Is true
that a Judge advised a district at
| WI Ih9g NJ iHdhi llR tlldA 6fb##in liz
court and not In the public press,
Mr.. Montoya, have you not learned
that mightier than grand juries,
mightier than Judges, mightier than
ali the Wanted power Of the courts,
Is the power Of the people. II is the
court Of last resort. When courts
fail to give Justice. then It is time
To invoke the power Of the people.
In the present instance. d district
attorney. a man OF acknowledged
honesty, hi OF the ablast lawyers in
the territory, makes the public claim
that the grand jury made light 81 eyi.
dence which he then proceeds 70 pub
fish. The chairman Of the republican
party in New Mexico is accused Of
having taken three times as much
money for his ~aeryices as school SUI.
perintendent as he could possibly have
earned and taken 4, too.almost before
his term Of service began. His own
records are produced to prove the ac-
III iations.
Such accusations may mean moth
ing to a Bernalillo county grand jury.
They do mean much to the people.
They mean much to the republican
psrty Of the territory. The court has
had It's day and had done nothing.
The republican party Of New Mexico
I demands and has a right to demand
an explanation Of the charges, II cxpla.
nation be possible. The Optic has no
prejudice against Mr.. Hubbell He
has shown ability and industry IN
his conduct Of the affairs Of the re
t publican party In New Mexico. We
will be glad II he can yindicate him.
self But. Mr.. Montoya,, don't dplnie
yourself into believing that an ex.
planation i tho people and through
tho press N moi due. Why, II eNpla'
nation be possible. dbl you not, MIR,
: MOHluNh, inatehu VI utNVtlhk many
/ columns OF newspaper space TO the
abuse 81 those who ask that the mat.
Ter BE- cleared up. give the simple
facts that ara required by the repub.
!, leans Of this territory.
] Mr.. Montoya, The Optic wants moth
. ing but fair play and Justice g every.
4 me Why no, answer our questions!
| Did. or did not Mr. Huhbell, the lead
or of the republican party in New
Mexico aeonre pay for hts services a
/ school superintendent before he had
i performed the duty Did he eveI
perform The duty after he took the
! money! Did he pay himself . greater
/ amount than the Law allowed fer his
] services
/ Mr.. nontoya. since yon have
J cssayed the role DC a champion
! II Won 40 not answer thcs,
!, questions satisfactorily, your mar
viii be con idcrcd guilty by ever,
i citizen " the territory -Four cspia
q nation and defense d Mr.. Hubhcll'.
i acls arc due 10 tbe republicans d