Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1906-09-13

in the Democratic National Platform
Of 1904, believing, as we heartily do,
that they make for a better govern
ment of, for. and by all the people.
We take especial pride in the fact
that our great national party is just
ly recognized as the true and only par
ty of the people, devoted to govern
ment in the interest of the masses and
not the classes, founded on the JEFF
fersonian doctrine Of vital govern
mental truth, Equal rights to all;
special privileges to none"-1the dis.
tinguishing characteristic of Democ-
racy.
We take further pride in the fact,
that, although temporarily out of con-
troll Of the affairs and policy of the
National Government and of this Ter
ritory, so that we are unable to put
into effect our benefcent principles
for the public good, we constitute a
strong and courageous minority, recog-
nizing the admitted fact that the
stronger the minority the greater the
safety to our government.
We are proud of our strength and
usefulness as such temporary minor
| ity, and we proclaim one fact out of
many, to wit; that the most useful act
to the people in the history of the
Republican party, the Rate Regulation
Law, is entirely Democratic in doc
trine and in prompt and prevailing
Democratic assistance in its passage,
reminding the people in this connec-
tion that the Republican President,
who was promoting this legislation
with the supreme effort of his public
career was hopelessly unable to get
the bill reported out Of the committee
controlled by corporation servants un-
til he appealed to the Democratic
minority, through whose prompt and
patriotic aid the bill was reported and
ultimately became law
1t is with the profoundest satisfac-
tion and feeling of unusual pride that
| we witnessed the hearty and most ua-
usual welcome home given by the peo-
! pie of this country, irrespective of
party, to the Great Commoner' and
intrepid leader of our party, William
Jennings Bryan. We look upon him
as the embodiment of the hope and
confidence that the common people
have in Democratic form Of govern
ment.
We declare our favor for joint state
hood with Arizona, under the pro-
visions of the enabling act therefor,
known as the Hamilton Bill, as it
was finally passed by the unanimous
vote Of Democratic and Republican
members of the Congress, and we
trust the people of both New Mexico
and Arizona will avail themselves Of
the liberal provisions of the enabling
act, to enter the union of states in
the only way the Congress, in its
wisdom, seems willing to provide.
We are in favor of home rule in
the appointment to all Offices in the
Territory, and we are also in favor
Of the fullest self-government pos
sible under our Territorial conditions,
and the full control of all our internal
affairs.
We condemn the present iniquitous
fee system in existence in New Mex
leo, for the compensation of county
officials, which is direct result OF
Republican legislation, and by which
such officials are paid greatly in ex-
cess of the value of their services to
the people Of their respective coun-
ties, thus imposing unnecessary and
burdensome taxation. The fee system
is relic Of by-gone days, and we
feel that this Territory has reached
that stage Of development and pro-
gress which demands its immediate
abolition. We pledge the Democratic
party of New Mexico, and especially
its representatives in the Legislative
Assembly, to favor and work for the
enactment of law placing all county
offices upon a salary basis, and the
reduction of salaries where they are
excessive under existing statutes.
We condemn the present election
law of this Territory as deliberately
planned and passed for the purpose Of
preventing the expression Of indepen-
dent political sentiment and the pre-
ferment of independent candidates
and we demand Its repeal.
We condemn the corrupt and extray-
agant Thirty-sixth Legislative Assem-.
bly, of the Territory of New Mexico
In Its special legislation for the bene.
fit OF few Republican politicians,
and In Its appropriation and eXpen-
diture Of public monies for which 1t
refused to account to the people, and
which we charge was used for the pay
ment Of political debts.
| We condemn the policy of the Re-
publican National administration in
establishing and charging unreasona-
BILE rents for forest reserves in the
Territory Of New Mexico, as tending
to destroy the live stock interests Of
the same, and more especially Of the
poorer classes of our people, who are
unable to lease lands for the grazing
Of their live stock.
We condemn the system as now
practiced in some judicial districts Of
the Territory, to.wit: One district
clerk for the entire district, without
deputies in the counties, and all the
court records being kept In one coun-
|ty, or at the head Of the district. We
pledge our earnest efforts IN passing
such laws as will correct this burden