Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1910-12-14
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Editor Albuquerque Morning Journal'
Dear Sir: II Is with extreme sor-
row, sympathy and regret that | note
tho unpatriotic. selfish, narrow, one-
idon, "dog-ln-the-manEor' policy as
sumed by the Rev. Seder with refer
enoe 10 the constitution. with sorrow
because Of his unfair ana misleading
statements. his wanton assault, either
malicious, ignorant or the result Of
Wild frenzy. upon the truth as ex-
pressed by the proposed constitution.
With sympathy because OF the noble
cause he liz supposed to represent.
Us doctrines e%xpoundod 20 the end
that a capitalization OF It's sentiment
may find approval with the popular
viii 70 the extent that n realization
OF its ambition may ultimately become
an accomplished fact. With regret
the the cause OF prohibition should
so suffer and pay the penalty Of many
years Of additional effort and energy
otherwise unnecessary, All on account
OF IA foolish attitude assumed by the
superintendent OF the anti-saloon
league; a policy OF rule or ruin; de-
mand Of compliance accompanied by
threats Of political destruction. an in
tolerant attitude Of dictatorship COM
pared with which the ordinary much
abused political boss palcs into insig-
~nificance Mr. Sedcr makes he broad
general statement that the proposed
constitution Is "trust-made" aud
"iiuuor soaked" We Gun only Judge
OF the nature, provisions and inten-
lions of the proposed constitution by
the expressions contained therein /
fail to find a single line. syllable or
letter granting any privilege, surren-
dering n power that would preclude
the people at their viii through law
ful channels OF governing the right
of regulation, abolition or suppression
OF the liquor traffic or prohibiting It's
use or manufacture.
or all the states admitted into the
union only Oklahoma came with
prohibition as a provision in It's con-
stitution. Does this near that we
have a country filled with liquor
soaked constitutions. or that It's pco-
pie are liquor-soaked2 Nothing OF
the kind. The control, regulation or
suppression uf the liquor traffic In
New Mexico still lacks the crystalliza-
ton Of thought MS IA statewide propo-
sltion to formulate and obtain a defi-
mite policy, The good work already
commenced which has IN many com
munitieH and counties crystallized defi-
mont sentiment, action and obtained
results can be best enhanced by a
continuation Of intelligent advocacy
In behalf OF the cause upon It's merits
and by refrainins from ~cntanRling poo
litioal controversies on questions en-
tlrely foreign to principles of prohi-
bition.
/ became thoroughly convinced at
Santa Fe that public sentiment would
Justify ana bring rs local option at
the first legislature of the new state
and so expressed myself TO the Rev.
MIR. Sodcr.
The nl-advised, unp0triotic, narrow
policy assumed by the official head
iof the anti-saloon league m0y become
the means OF creating prejudice which
might defeat legislation favorable To
reform or change with reference 60
the liquor question. II is reasonably
certain hat the hostility of the Rev
| Scdor to the adoption of the consti-
tuition viii De but as u ripple on a
high sen. yet. the possibility of allen
iattng the friendship OF powerful fac
TORS disposed Go assist Ina the cause
Is obvious. hence the folly ot mixing
the liquor question with politics. If
any recall principle rs needed 1t should
De applied To- the management of the
Inntl-saloOn league. There can be no
doubt hut that the legislatures viii
carry out tho wishes of public sonti-
mcnt once aroused and any relief de-
sired with reference to liquor lcgisla-
tion should be directed through the
proper channels of legislation.
Tho great trouble with enthusiasts
OF all classes is their Willingness To-
m~isconceiVc tho real strength of their
cause. In this the prohibition leaders
are mo- exception. That tho majority
OF the citizenship of New Mexico at
tho present time are uufRvorahle 60
statewide prohibition. no well-posted
person will question.
Mr. Seder states that the coustitu-
ton is "trust-madc There is not n
syllable or line contained ia this docu-
ment expressing any such thought; on
the contrary explicit. ample and FUN
authority is provided for the regula-
tuu and control of public utility cor
poratiou charges and accommodations
~necessarv to the public welfare which
viii hc entirely In the hands OF agcnts
chosCn hN tho people. n this be
corporation rule then indeed have
the corporations exhibited a spirit OF
patriotism worthy 81 emulation. 7
lChaufngo Mr. Scdcr o. quote "a single ]
thourht expressed 900 the constitution
llNurInr the trusts or corporations ass
arninst thc interests ef the people.
EoN. SrdCr refers Co the expensive
state government Has Do come Co mis-
that abe hoon OF o. spif-EoVcrnmcnt
for which our people have strleen o. I
worked tor sixty years. the rights 30
citizenship liberty and hl the bless
iurs. honor and PRIVILEGES accompany
ing the right of participation upon an
equal footing with other states in the
lnnairs 90 this glorious nation. shall
Do measured ty IA few paltry dollars
SO. never. so long as there shall live