Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1906-02-12
MUST ss ON PARTY LINES.

L
leading democrats Of the territory are
advocating a nonpartisan constitu
tional convention, IN case the state
hood bill passes the senate and The
people are given an opportunity 70
vote on the question.
This Is wise enough from the demo
cratic standpoint. but VIII hardly
prove acceptable 10 the republicans OF
the territory. The fact that the demo
Gratis desire u non.partisan conveu
tIon " certain proof that they be-
lieve the republicans are ths stronger
In tho two territories. II the demo
Gratis believed they could tlect a iaa
jority Of delegates 10 the coastitu
tl0nal convention. they certainly
would never advance the propos..ion
they are supporting.
The history Of representative gov.
erument In the world has shown that
IL ends can best be served through a|
political party. There has probably
never been Z single constitutional
convention In this nation that has not
been held ON . party basis, And there
Ii no good reason Why there should
be- Z non-partisan convention In the
case Of New Mexico.
IL legislators and governors ana
judges are to be elected through the
medium Of political parties. why
should not the constitution which our
governors. judges and isalslators are
to enforce and protect. b drawn by
the leaders Of those parties?
We who are republicans be,ieve
that the greatest good 10 this coun.
try should como through the triumph
Of republican principles. We believs
that the new state. II there a. TO b.
One. WIN Be stronger. betty. II the
principles Of the party are &issly en-
bodied In the Constitution. The re.
publican party IN the territory may
b trusted to ask the people TO adopt
nothing In the constitution that will
not be for the best interests Of the
state. The people Of the t1tritory have
shown time and again that they Dc
not approve Of the democratic princi
pies Of government and they would
not approve Of 4 constitution whici
emb0died these principles. n shs
democrats have the confidence " /
majority and can elect q majority y
delegates to the constitutional con
vention, then their theories shouit
govern In the adoption Of . coustlru
ton.
We have ardently supported tn
cause OF separate statehood for tn
territories. and shall continue 20 do n
until the matter has been settled q
far a. congress II concerned. Yet "
have always said that when q bill nt
hitting the territories. whether Join
or severally. has passed congress. v
shall urge the people to favor II II
wise and equitable constitution ca
be secured. TO our minds the sure
means " securing q desirable const
tuition Ii by means Of a convcrsic
based on party elections.
Political parties In this nation In,
. been one OF IL chief safeguards. RI
opposition 10 ready to watch cve'
point, detect every flaw. pick o
every weak spot and resist to Il
uttermost any legislation Or actit
that might inJure itself or prove
I wrong to the people. So will Il be
!. the case Of i constitutional conve
tion to prepare Z constitution.
!. Whether the republicans or u
democrats are In the majority. the
will be so strong an opposition, tn
: wise and conservative course mu
be adopted. A non.partisan conve
tion would be much more likely
favor provisions that would be objt
(. tionabie to a large number Of peoI
. Of the territory and to defeat the e
stitution entirely.
~. II the greatest good 10 the grs
cst number IL the object to be achis
ed II the preparation Of q constil
tion. II must be secured by means
4 political convention.