The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-10-04
DEMOCRATS
 CONFIDENT IN
 NEW MEXICO


 Santa Fe. N. M, Oct 3.-Never have the New Mexico Democrats pre- scented such a solid front asssat this present convention. Never before however, was there so much at stake Many of the delegates have express ed themselves to the effect that nol if they can help it will New Mexico enter the Union controlled by the Republican machine which for four years past has been in power and which has plundered the territory al will. The Democrats are supported sives Republicans and Anti Machine Republicans who admit that they have too much pride in their flew state to turn it over to the corrup- tionists. 4N
 Not ill. the limits of this short ar- rule. in New Mexico in the past be told. The present regime and its hirelings will have passed from pow CT before the world will ever know all the corrupt practices of the ma- chine now in the saddle. Suffice ii to say that such methods as coercion bribery, intimidation, servile judges freedom from arrest and freedom from taxation for the machine fol- lowers have long been employed tc perpetuate in office the Republican bosses. Although the national ad- ministration probably never realized the full extent of corruption %and graft in New Mexico. the territorial machine alwas had at least the tacft support of the administration and pen sions, postoffices and federal appro- priations helped strengthen the ma chine along with the methods men toned above.
 For these reasons, New Mexico has generally been regarded as Republi- can, the generally conceded majority being about $500 in a vote of be- tween 5O.000 and 66.000. This Is the handicap that must be overcome and the Democrats realize it fully, but
 The admission of New Mexicos to statehood has put new vigor and vi tality into its citizenship, has arous- ed the manhood. honor and intetllf- gence of it's citizens, and there is a growing and effective rebellion against the methods of the past.
 The Democratic party in this cam paign will stand as it has in the past for good honest, economical govern ment, and honest elections free from fraud and bribery. The party is unit ed harmonious and strong in it's de- termination to- win. The Demo crats of New Mexico however, are
 
 depend to a large extent on Dem ocrats from outside the state for funds, to help them carry on the ac- tive and aggressive campaign they have planned.
 On the other hand, the Republicans in the past, have brought in thousands of dollars from the outside, and now as state the inducements for Re- publicans put up money are many times multiplied. Outside. tne.pros- pect of two 'sstand-paf' or interest serving United States senators. and two members of congress within the feats for the ehees corrupt M1 %lthine. Which so long footed the teEH1tPry and knows Knows
 The men who haveE had the admin istration of New Mexico's affairs in the past know full we'll the vast re- sources of the new state that will even more completely than when as a territory they exploited every indus try which came under their blight1ng touch. There are vast coal meas ures, more extensive than. those, of Penn;ylvania; public lands more ex- tensive than the areas of many states in the Union; forests of great magn1- tude. dam sites for the development of water power, and reservoir sites for irrigation projects. These are some of the undeveloped resources Of the new state. What coterle Of corrupt men in the state offices play ing into each others hands could not do, is hard to imagine, and it is safe to say that such an opportunity will not be surrendered without fight.
 That the national Democracy has begun to realize what the fight means and what is at stake may be Judged from the interest that has already been manifested by men of national importance in the party; by the num- her of speakers, from the outside sent into the state and still further en- lightenments is expected when the speakers seeing conditions for them selves send out the call for aid to put New Mexico in the Democratic col umn.
 Not a little aid to the cause of clean government has been rendered by the Progressive Republicans of the state. who Mhila they probably will not put out state ticket, will devote themselves to "dftching the mas chine" and in great majority of cases will support the Democratic or at least will refuse to vote for the ring candidates. In ev-. cry county in the state numbers of former Republicans have come out for Democra and announced that their efforts will be used for the success of that party.
 Arizona, when admitted, was con- ceded to the Democrats and if a strorig united effort is made with the able assistance from the Democrats of the nation, New Mexico too will line up on that side of the aisle in both branches of the national con-