Albuquerque citizen. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1907-1909, 1909-01-16

When Celso Lopez, treasurer and
collector of Santa Fe county, wrote a
letter to Honest John" Beaven, DEM
ocratic reformer on Citizens ticket
2 couple oc years ago, asking Hon
est John" to aid in defeating a bill
then pending in the legislature and
which is now the law, reducing the
salary of county officials, Honest
John" with the fake reformer's ap-
probation of gallery applause, had
Mr.. Lopez's letter published, together
with a reply, in which Honest John"
held up his hands in horror at even
the thought of opposing such a bill.
In strong contrast to any such pro-
cedure, he wrote Mr. Lopez that he
hoped the bill would become a law,
though it affected him, personally.
Mr.. Lopez of Santa Fe county, who
did not desire his own salary cut, was
honest enough to openly oppose the
bill so far as he could and after 1t
became a law it was the law to him
and he respected it as such.
But after the gallery applause had
Gied away, Honest John" began to
look longingly at the money he might
have had If the bill had only been de-
feated, and listening to the advice
of his attorney, he set aside his cleo
tion pledge. his grand stand letter to
Mr.. Lopez. and held up the county
funds, declaring that he did not think
the law was good.
Honest John" in that instance at
least displays two traits which are
generally found in a certain kind of
a man. First, he made use of let
ter which to all intents and pur-
poses should have been considered
confidential; and, secondly, he held
up a fellow man TO ridicule and a
certain amount of gallery abuse. for
daring to oppose legislation which he
considered injurious TO himself.
1t may be left to the public to de-
eide which they consider the more
manly, more open and above board,
more self-respecting and more re-
sponsible for an Office of public trust
Honest John" late reformer, or
Ceso Lopez of Santa Fe county, who
didn't want his salary cut and who
vas man enough to openly oppose it
within the law.
from the actions OF these two men is
so apparent that it does not need dis
cussion. In the face OF an impending
election. Mr. Lopez spoke his honest
convictions In the face of an cleo
ton, Honest John" presumably on
the advice of his learned attorney.
made a beautiful grand stand play,
pledged his word of honor to get an
office and now he wants all that is
coming to him"
It will be worth while to the voters
Of Bernalillo county to keep these
two letters in mind. In the future,
all grand stand plays and all "holier
than thou" stunts will bear the clos
est inspection before they are used to
place a man in public office.
The proper officials should immedi-
ately take up the case of Honest
John" and his eminent attorney, and
make them turn over every cent of
the school city and county funds.
If Honest John" or his attorney
have any grievance against the peo-
pie let them take IL into court where
all law abiding citizens are supposed
to settle their difficulties The peo-
pie viii always be here and so will
the treasurers of the schools. city and
county
In the case Of Honest John" how
ever, recent developments do not give
the people ample assurance that any
funds he may retain are amply pro-
teeted.