Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1910-07-19

bat the committee up 20 this time hai
mot given the people OF New Mexico
larry reformation as TO the proceedings
lhad. beyond the bare fact that th'
Iahaifuan. Mr.. James G.. Fitch Of So
Zorro county. and the secretary, Mr.
Summers Burkbart Of Bernaliie
.lconnty. resigned. and that Mr.. w -
Naiion Of Grant county was elect !
'iohalrman. and Mr.. ] III. OfRicIiy u
Hernali1lo county, secretary. The
further fact was. Of necessity. given
lout that a committee OF five had beer
.lappoinied 10 confer with a like corn
naiiee .r.H the republican tenira'
lcommittee regarding the ~non-partisan
plan Of selecting delegates TO the con-
stltutional convention. The repuh-
llican committee, through courtesy,
lappointed a committee Of conference.
allhoueh without hope Of any tangible
.lfesnlts, and. az the conference proved,
line democratic committee not only
lhad no definite practical plan to pio-
pore. but were strongly divided among
themselves AS to the wisdom OF pro-
p3ting any plan at all. II was made
lpiain that the democrats in the strong
democratic counties OF the territory
desired no non-partisan convention,
but that their desires had been over
ridden by the old line democratic
lboeses from the strong republican
counties, who up TO this time seem
to nave been able to keep their hold
on the party machinery, although un-
liable to deliver anything toward party
success.
Rumors have been afloat since the
adjournment Of the committee as 10
what actually tool place there, and
those rumors indicate that the ses-
sione were extremely stormy, as dem
l%ocratlc meetings are wont to be, but
a word Of definite information has
been given out.
The action Of the democratic COM
mittee in holding secret sessions II be-
ing severely condemned by democrats
throughout the territory, and rightly
so. 1t is conduct which cannot but
result In a loss Of confidence in their
leaders among the rank and file. II a
political party is 10 be a factor in the
politics Of the community, it must
have not only members, but must
have a considerable body of mem
berg, and these members may be held
together only by a genuine belief IN
the principles Of the party and most
complete confidence IN It's leaders. If
the men who now dominate the pres-
.cnt democratic committee ever At any
time enjoyed the confidence Of the
rank and file of their party, they can
not hope 10 retain II and viii not re-
thin II unless they take the people into
their confidence. The secret sessions
We're unWisc and are TO be regretted,
although they viii result In much
benefit to the republican cause. we
had hoped for better things from the
democratic committee. II IL better at
all times for the whole people that
beth parties should put forward Their
Iitest men and their best efforts and
maintain their respective principles TO
tho best OF their ability. II this is
done III the broader sense, II cannot
help but be OF benefit. since one party
acts az a balance against the other ana
better results may be expected In the
construction OF the new state and It's
after administration. The action OF
the democratic committee in smother
ing the proceedings Of It's meetings
here is unworthy Of the leaders Of a
great party, and is meeting the con-
demnation It deserves.
The democratic committee also
adopted a set of resolutions crying out
against corporate influence and cor
poration domination, but at the same
meeting they elected as chairman of
their committee. as the general who
is 10 lead the army OF ihe democracy
10 battle, one of tho most prominent
railroad attorneys IN New Mexico. In
Il word, the secret session committee
of the democratic party has, tn 50 far
NJ the people can sec, attempted to
deliver the party over TO the corpor-
%ations, and so far as It has gone, has,
ina the minds OF the corporations at
least, made ~commendable Roadway,
It is our opinion that Mr.. Walton.
the new democratic chairman. or no
other man can consistently serve the
corporations, and the people at the
suale time. We have looked for Mr..
Wliiton's resignation as chairman Of
ths committee, or for his severance of
his connection with the corporations
he represents. Up TO this time neither
has occurred.
Summing up briefly, the republic
can committee took "a broad. states
man-liko stand ia dealing with the
coming constitutional campaign and
convention. in leaving the whole great
work OF state buiidins in the hands
OF the people. where Il helougs There
was he evasion. no conccmmtnt The
issue WAS met squarcly ana openly
no tn the manly way mon gkc or
tie other hand the o%erlo,rdtic conn
mittec has cffcctiyoly concealed what
over action 10 took. other than the
fact which could not Dee concealed.
that while shouting loudly against cor
.parntr Influence and control the conn
mlttee elected "a corporation lawyer
nev actively identified with large
corporate interests. 90 lead the party.
Tho ncople may. and undoubtedly viii.