El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1912-04-18
MAY CONTEST THE
ELECTION AT BELEN
Spanish American Citizens
Think Injustice Was
Done Them.

Belen. y. n. April 1S.-The election
for members of the school board OF
Belen. precinct and which. resulted in in
the election of two Americans TO I'LL
the vacancies, on a ticket which was
introduced late in the afternoon. wiz
probably be contested by the de-
feated candidates and their friends in
the very near future, unless a com
promise of some sort can be reached
imm ediately.
The two successful candidates were
elected shortly before the polls closed,
the action being a complete surprise
to everyone except those. who were
on the inside. The two defeated can
didates, both of whom were Spanish
Americans, received the immediate
sympathy Of their friends, and con-
siderable feeling was aroused over the
matter.
Some Of the more conservative Of the
supporters Of the successful cand1-
dates proposed q compromise with the
opposing faction by presenting the res
ignatiOn OF one Of the candidates
elected. This met with the veto OF the
remainder and nothing was done to
give the native people representation
upon the school board.
AS a result. mass meeting has been
held in Belen at which a number OF
citizens made addresses, demonstrating
against the action which had -been
taken. County school superintendent
SaturninO Baca proposed that COM
mittee be appointed. and that the sue
cessfuI faction be asked to appoint an
other committee, -the two to confer
win = view to effecting a settlement
The proposal was adopted. and the
committee appointed
The mass meeting also decided that
in case negotiations for compromise
fail proceedings should be instituted
at once to annul the election It is
claimed that several irregularities
exist in the manner Of calling and con-
Quoting the election, and the native
people will take adYantage OF every
thing in their effort to secure rep
reservation upon the school board The
outcome Of the contest is being
awaited with much interest by the res
idents Of Belen.
In spite Of the continued cold wealth
er for several nights last week, the
fruit in this section of the valley
is as yet unhurt, although early var
ieties have suffered considerably in
other localities. The Orchardists took
the precautiOn TO heat their orchards
when the thermometer dropped to the
lowest point, but this proved TO be IN
necessary.
In the earliest Of the orchards, the
apricOts are now well formed, and
show every prospect OF making gOOO
crop. The pear trees are now in full
bloom. and they also appear 10 be IN
excellent condition in every particular.
Mrs Paul 3. Dalies and Mrs L c.
Becker were the hOstesses TO a num-
Der Of their friends at a card party,
given at the home Of the former.
Refreshments were served by the
hOstesses-
The third quarterly conference and
official meeting Of the Methodist
church Of Belen has been held. DR.. s.
AlonZO Bright Of Albuquerque, the
district superintendent of the denOm-
nation. officiating. Reports were
received from all departments OF the
received from all departments OF the
ton to be very good. Prior to the
holding OF the Official meeting DR..
Bright delivered sermon, and held
& communion service.