The Roswell daily record. [volume] (Roswell, N.M.) 1903-current, 1907-02-08

of Rev. Smith all ministers were re-
quested to announce the purposes of
the league at their next Sunday morn
ing service and urge cooperation on
the part of the Christian people
All speakers who were invited to
address this meeting were asked to
come to the next meeting and address
the League on that occasion. This
action was taken on account of the
light attendance and the lateness of
the hour. Thereafter the meeting ad-
journed.
Letter of J. J. Hagerman to Good Gov
ernment League of Roswell at its
Initial Meeting Thursday Night:
To the Good Government League, of
Roswell. New Mexico:
Gentlemea:-I am greatly interested
il the Good Government League, and
hope that the one now being formed
will do good work, and come up to the
high expectations of its founders.
want to be a member of it, and do all
can for its welfare.
Good Government is the chler cor
ner stone on which our true progress,
and our social, political, moral and
financial well being must rest. What
shall the character of our future gov.
ernment be?" is a question which ev
cry earnest man should ask himself.
The answer this: Our Government,
both state, county and municipal. will
be just what we ourselves make it.
1t is all in our own hands to make
ii good. bad, or Indifferent. The foul-
tain can never rise higher than its
source, and the source of government
selves.
1t is inevitable, and proper, that
political parties should exist. repre-
senting the different opinions of intel
ligent men on great questions, such
as finance, modes of taxation, tariff.
army, navy, foreign relations, state
rights, and many other questions, but
these questions are national, and do
not concern us here in New Mexico.
excepting in a general way, at present
Under our present form of govern
ment we can take no part in their so
more than any thing else is to become
state in the Federal Union, so that
our voice can be heard in their dis
cussions and settlement. How long
it will be before this desire can be
realized will depend wholly on our
selves. We must show the nation that
we can create and carry on a good
Territorial Government before we can
be trusted with a state government,
and take a hand in national affairs.
And how are we to get a better Ter
ritorial Government?
II my opinion the good men of all
parties should not waste their time
and energies in wrangling over ma
tional questions, which they can, at
present, have no influence in settling,
but should unite on properly settling
questions which are right here before
us, which enter into our daily lives,
and which depend wholly on our
selves. AS to nearly all these prob
lens. the questions of Democracy or
Republicanism cut no figure whatever
There are certain fundamental things
on which all good and reasonable men
should agree, no matter to what par
ty, creed or race they may belong.
For instance, here in Roswell, what
have party doctrines to do with the
saloon, gambling, drainage, sewer,
paving or school questions? Nothing
In the selection of county officers.
what should party doctrines have to
do with the best men to build roads
and bridges, to care for our county
property, and to use the peoples mon
ey, collected in. taxes, honestly and
properly? Nothing. County and mu-
nicipal government are business af
fairs pure and simple. and il the Sc
lection of the best men to manage
them. the question of party beliefs or
affiliations should have no more TO do
to run a railroad or a cattle ranch.
Our Territorial Government is the
creation first of the Federal Govern
ment, and secondly of our own people
The Governor and some other impor-
tant officers are Federal appointees,
but the Legislature-the law making
machine-and also the Agent we
choose to represent us in Washington,
are elected by the people.
Our agent has 40 vote in Congress-.
and has no more influence on national
affairs than II he, were the Consular
Agent from Canada
Our Legislature elects no United