Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1907-02-26
A Curious Position

IN IS difficult 10 recall any newspaper IN any period since newspapers
began which has ever taken such an absolutely cowardy position upon
M a public question as that which the Burum newspaper Albuquerque
has taken upon the situation in the present legislature The DAILY
Citizen has denied that ii IS owned o controlled by Bursum. But II any
ding we're needed 10 convince the people that IS IS owned and absolutely
dominated by Bursm, its position upon the legislative situation would supply
conviction, for OF no other ground can any possible reason be found for such
a position other Than absolute orders which cannot be dsobeyed
Member. Of the machine Of which Bwsum IS the head have openly and
without reserve threatened the people of BcnaEno county with the removal
Of the university from this city and a refusal to make an appropriation for It's
support. The fact that Bwsum and his few remaining followers ac wholly
powcbss 10 even begin to carry out such a threat does not modify o minimize
the spirit which prompted the making of it There Is no denying that such
threats we're made by members of the machine for they wuc made to Albu-
querque business men. Naturally these business men resented these threats
Any American Of spirit and manhood would have resented them eve though
he knew them to be nothing more than bluff.
But what IS the position Of the Daily Chzn}
The Daily Citizen is found vigorously advising the people Of Abu
qucrquc and BemaIllo couay to whip Bcmailo county, representatives. IN
the legislature into Inc with Burum and his maohmc-n order that yenge-
ace may not fall upon Albuquerque and that these threats may not a@
carried out
In a word. the Daily Citizen IS found advising The people Of Abuqucr
que and of this county 10 uuehe 10 tho methods and assent to the purpose o.
a corrupt political machine a deodenI rapidly dsnee5a'ns machine IN
order that the people may get what Of right belongs to them; that the UNI
vcnig may get uppod which a a territorial institution the territory owes
No man can be found who would deny The craven cowardrc Of such
a position
Bat putting the mranncss Of it aside, overlooking for a moment the
pGfu sorddne@ q it ALI what is % be found IN the practical side OF u}
Two years ago Bmnum was The dominating force in the LEGISLATURE Ir
notorious that bills were passed at republican headquarters and that Bursum
was supreme there. He was then at the height OF his power In that egs
'tare je Bcnallo county representatives were his plant tools They obeyed
orders much as The rest Of the Legislature obeycd orders
What did BcmahNo county get from the then all powerful Busum}
II got an appropriation for the university which was totally nadequat
to support a-and it got a law allowing a sheriff to tax the people of this
county 3 mills on The dollar fm his personal benefit and to the dsercdung OF
dc honest bill Of honest business men.
dominated and IN which BemallIo county representatives have been plant
puppets IN the hands Of the boss and YOU find that this county has got nothing
but bills to increase the fees of machine county officials. and bills to protect
Two years ago Busum was supreme in the legislature. Can mybod'
recall what this county got IN return for the trucking obedience to Buaum
And vet the Daily C01cn is found urging the representatives Of this
county IN the present assembly to sell themselves out, to abandon a aaghtor
ward. manly position which meets with the approval Of the people of Abu
qu1que and Of the entire territory, IN order that they may receive the tMo
OF tins dnaedaed boss, who would not reward this couoys obedience to his