Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1906-09-25
Refuse to Stand DiSgracefuI Exhibition
of Packed Primaries, Gang Rule
and Refusal of the Ballot
BADLY RATIFIED BOSS HOLDS
TWO ILLEGAL PRIMARIES

Enraged at his failure to steal the
republican primaries in the country
precincts of Bernalillo county and
rendered desperate in his fight to re-
tain his control of the county, through
the overwhelming sentiment against
him, Frank \. Hubbell chairman of
the old county republican committee,
and former boss of the county, last
night essayed to carry the primaries
in precincts II and 26 of this city by
force. The result was one of the most
extraordinary and most disgraceful
exhibitions of gag rule ever presented
for the consideration of a community
of American citizens. In primaries
packed with his followers from Pajar-
ito, from Barclas and from other
country precincts, in which he still
has a following, lIubbel's chairmen
elected themselves, refusing to give
count Il division or ballot, Hubbell
ringers yelling themselves hoarse 20
drown the statements of indignant
workmen, business men, professional
men and even ministers of the gospel
who, thoroughly aroused by the at
tempt to steal the primaries, came to
take part i'm the fight against the for
mer boss. In the faces of the angry
men, the taxpayers of the two pre-
cincts of Albuquerque, Hubbell could
read his end, and there is little doubt
that ha read It.
Even with the noise and clamor ana
rufiianism of the men imported from
Barelas and Paiarito, even with the
gag rule of his chahmen, even
with the refusal of the ballot, the At
tempt to rush the primaries was Il
failure, for although the Hubbell dele
cations declared elected by the Hub
bell chairmen in both precincts, will
probably be seated I'm the Hubbell
convention To be held tomorrow night
these delegations with all the gag
rule and ruffansm we're not legally
elected, there was not even a SEM
blance of legality in the proceedings,
and both delegations before any fair
convention of American citizens viii
be declared fraudulent.
Frightened by the tremendous out
pouring Of taxpayers against him in
precinct 26, the Hubbell chairman
became ratified, the Hubbell rulers
became disorgaiized, and Hubboll
himself lost his grip on the well oiled
machinery, so that the primary was
finally declared adjourned by the Huh
''ll 'Iiftil ill'lh III ll'NlltA ~, l llolll -
n. Wilkerson, without the election
Of a secretary. This alone. aside from
the Illegal methods used to obtain
the vote Is enough to disqualiry the
Ilubbell delegates elected.
And in precinct ~, whore the same
methods were employed, the Hubbcll
chairman and the Hubbell followers
left the han without the formality of
an adjournment, thus invalidating the
proceedings in that precinct.
In both primaries gag rule was en-
ployed by the Hubbell chairmen Us
it has never been resorted to before in
the worst days of IIubbell tyranny.
But the most disgraceful scene
came in precinct 26, where Iubbcll
was present in person to direct his
! followers and his hired men,
In the armory Of Elks building, be-
fore o'clock had gathered crowd
of men who filled the seats back to
the doors. Fully twenty men who live
| In the precinct of Pajarito. several
miles from Albuquerque. were among
those seated in the chairs, thirty or
| forty men from Barelas were in the
chairs and lined up against the wall.
1t was as plain case of a packed
primary as ever was witnessed here
T.
citizens OF Albuquerque will make af-
fidavits today that they saw men
whom they know live outside of pre-
cinct 26 taking part In the proceed
ings.
And even with all his gang of out
side employees as the taxpayers of
precinct 26 filed into the hall. men
from the shops, men from the bust
ness houses and Offices taxpayers,
ministers. Hubbel saw his forces out
numbered and read so plainly the
coming end OF his political career ~
this county in the faces of the tax
payers. that he lost his easy self
control. lost his ability 10 direct his
chairman. and allowed his men 10
engage in scene of ruffianisn
which has never been equalled In any
public meeting In this county be-
| fore,
The Riot In Precinct 20.
Promptly ut 1880 o'clock Thomas y.
Wilkerson. the Hubbell precinct chair
man, called the primary to order anu
called for the nomination of "A per-
manent chairman. Even before he
put the call The Hubbell followers set
up u wild yell for their boss. which
could he heard for blocks, and the
| opposing taxpayers. angered by the
exhibition, responded with yell
which drowned out the voices of thi
/ imported crowd. Finally the call was
put and Hubbel was ready with the
nomination of Mr.. Wllkerson to be
permanent chairman. A. y. Stroup
nominated Louis w. Gales for per-
manent chairman. and Mr.. Wilkerson
retired calling on Maynard Gunsul TO
put the motion. Mr.. Gunsul proceed
ed to put the motion electing Mr..
Wilkerson chairman, without giving
any attention to the motion of MY
Stroup. but a roar of protest went up
from the crowded room which even