The Tucumcari news and Tucumcari times. [volume] (Tucumcari, N.M.) 1907-1921, 1915-05-20
HON. RALPH c. ELY
DELIVERED ADDRESS
BEFORE BIG CROWD

Opera House last Friday night were
attended by one Of the largest crowds
ever assembled in this city.
The program was interesting and
the platform was beautifully decor.
ated In national and class colors. One
Of the most noticeable was the lattice
work bearing American Beauty roses
and green foliage. The class consist
ed Of seven girls and six boys and as
arranged on the large stage they made
most picturesque appearance.
The various numbers on the pro-
gram were rendered with capability,
especially the main address of the ev-
ening which was delivered by Hon
Ralph c. Ely, which was mostly "a
plea for better citizenship. He said
it would be up to the young men and
women of New Mexico to make this
state what it should be.
Mr.. Ely's address dealt more par
ticular!y with the tax question which
every citizen of the state il more or
less vitally interested. He raped the
new system just inaugurated and he
thinks IL frost, although it was the
pet bill put through by the party of
which Mr.. Ely is n member. He did
not talk partisan, or did not intend to
but he made one of the best Demo-
cratic speeches one could ask for any
one to make. II is supposed that he
was launching his boat on the sea of
fate with the expectation of dragging
the good democrats into his net, and
If that would elect him he is certain,o or
we are certain he will be our next
governor. but this line of talk does
not appeal to the Republicans who
believe our last legislature did right
in passing such measure as the pres
ent tax law.
Mr.. Ely is pleasant speaker and
the large crowd enjoyed his address
much more than il it had been along
the finer points of education. He does
not blame the rich man for putting
this tax law through but he does put
the blame on the poor man and he
proved his assertion by saying that
most of US are too busy to vote or see
that the right cause is championed
and won. He described how the party
leaders, three or four, get together
blindly into the trap and sanction the
action Of these few and let them han
die the county conventions and say
who shall he and who shall not be put
on the ticket. He believes in a pri-
mary law which is protected, because
1t gives the people chance to speak
their sentiments and time to figure
out who would be the best man for
the place. Many other good sound
thoughts were revealed in his MASTER
ly way and if the Republicans do not
run him for governor the Democrats
are under obligations to. He puts
principle above party and the Demo-
Gratis need more of such men in their
ranks as we'll as the Republicans.
The class address while far differ
ent from anything we ever heard on
similar occasion was we'll received
and timely and will perhaps do much
good in opening the common fellows
eyes to the fact that il he wants to
have equal rights he must secure them
with the ballot and select men who
stand for something. Do not vote
for the man because you knew his
father, because you have sympathy
for him because of some deformity, or
because he has fought for the party
in previous campaigns, but you are
voting against your own rights un-
less you vote for the man who has the
ability to do something and has an
upright character with good morals
and will TO do right as near AZ he
possibly can.
The class was presented by Prof.
w. ID. Shadwich in an eloquent ad-
dress, after which Supt. Hofer dis
tributed the diplomas.
The members Of the class of 1916
were Hettie Allen, Harold Aull,, Fish
er Bonds, Freddie Gee, Alice Holt
Edith Edwards, Earl Gerhardt, Chas
Goldenberg, Norval Jones, Zilla Whit
more, Clinton Wharton, Gladys Keeler
and Rhea DeOliviera. Norval Jones
gave the salutatory and Miss Hettie
Allen had the honor of giving the val.
edictory. The class song which was
composed and sung by Miss Whitmors
was a mastery production, well rem
dered and received.
We are justly proud of this class
and will endeavor to let nothing com,
in our way to mar the school which
deserves the support of every man
woman and child in our city. Tn,
acts of any man or set of men shoult
not and does not give any man thu
right to pull against the school. Tn,
way to settle difficulties is by the bat
lot, not once but every time the oppor
tunity presents itself.
The Tucumcari High School has n,
superior in the state and we are prou'
of the achievements il has attained.
We wish to extend the hand Of con
graduation to those who have jus
finished the four-year course and hop
you will be able to continue you
studies in some institution of highe
education and iit yourselves for NOR
useful career.