The Estancia news. [volume] (Estancia, Torrance County, N.M.) 1904-1912, 1908-08-14
DEHTH-KNELL OF GANG
RULE in T0RRANCE COUNTY
Tactics Of Gang Methods Voted Down bD Maor Of Deeaaes
Delegation to Territorial Convention Vnstructed, but
Majority Known to Favor Mann

held in this city last Wednesday prov
ed the most spirited of its kind eve
conducted in the new county of Tor
rance. 1t was understood for SOM
time past, that this would be the de
cisive struggle as to whether the re
publicans of Torrance county should b
| ruled by the gang which has had coil
troll since the organization of the coun
ty, or whether the wishes of the voter,
should be taken into consideration. Al
the very outset of the convention al
attempt was made to force the tactics
of gang rule, but by united persistent
effort of the opponents, the day was
carried by those opposed to the domina-
tion of the present chairman of the
county central committee. Chairman
Padilla failed in his attempt to ride
rough-shod over the delegates but
through no fault Of his, unless it be that
he allowed an interpreter to tell the
English speaking delegates or grin
gos" what was going on. His illustri-
GUS predecessor, Col. ]. F. Chavez, four
years ago, won on the same line by not
allowing an interpreter to be named.
Chairman Padilla having anticipated
the course events would take, had
gathered his supporters as numerously
as possible. 1t is even reported that
in the precinct of Abo, the primary
was not held on the day set for the
same in the call issued by the central
committee, as the voters there could
not do anything until Mr.. Padilla couls.
be present to tell them what to do.
We have been unable to verify this ru-
NOR, but it comes to us on good au-
thority from Republican residing in
that part of the county.
When the vote on temporary presid-
ent was taken, no human being could
have decided from the "ayes" ard
"nays" which side had won, but Chair
man Padilla Immediately ruled in favor
of his man. The fight which he put J
up to prevent rising vote being taken
was proof of itself that he did not care
for justice to the wishes of the major
ity of the delegates, but was deter
mined not to allow the reins to leave
his hands. Had he controlled the tenn
porary chairman, of course the rest |
would have been easy. But the % votes
agaiest him will yet prove the "skidoo"
to Chairman Padilla. The large num-
ber of native people who voted and J
worked against Mr.. Padilla, throughout
the convention, proves conclusively that |
not merely the ''griugos" but a large
number of his own people are becoming
weary of incompetency in county poll
tics.
The convention met at ten O'Clock in |
the Methodist church, and was called
to order by County Chairman Candido
Padilla. After few brief remarks,
which were interpreted by Federico
Chavez, the chairman called for nomi-
nations for temporary chairman of the
convention Valentin Candelaria and
H. L. Smith were nominated, both
nominations being seconded at once.
After the. vote was put, the chairman
announced the result as favoring Mr..
Candelaria, request for rising vote was
ruled out of order by the chair, on the
ground that the convention not having
heard the report of the committee on
credentials, the membership of the con-
vention was as yet unidentified An APP
peal was taken to the convention. A
suggestion that the different delegations
seat themselves in groups, and rising
vote be taken was urged by various dele
gates and at last, the chair submitted.
The vote being taken resulted % in favor
of Smith, and 20 for Candelaria.
Celestino Ortiz was chosen temporary
Secretary without opposition. A motion
that the chair appoint the usua! CON-
mittees was carried. After Mr.. Candi-
do Padilla had made this motion, he