El Nuevo mexicano., 1916-10-19
REPORT OF OUTSIDE ACCOUNTANTS
AND EXCEPTIONS BOTH IGNORED


H. Q. Bursum, Republican candidate for governor, has
sued the Albuquerque Morning Journal for $4,000 libel by
reason of statements made by that paper about his record
as superintendent Of the New Mexico penitentiary.
In a public statement preceding the filing Of his suit Mr..
Bursum says:
Neither The political opponents referred to nor this
newspaper which publishes their charges Wthout substantial
ton or inquiry dared to bring their allegations into omy com
petent coart. When these charges mere made public r. took the
only course open to a citizen eOho has been oronged. I sought
trial IN a court of justice and Uds there cleared of every trace
of suspicion of s~Oromgdoing and mig eronerGtion sO0s yraten
into the court records of this state IN a decree eohch found
that all records kept at the penitentiary during me- sOordenship
s0ere in Evidence and intact, and aohich decree gaze me a judg-
nnent and an erecution against the Territory of New Mersco
IN the sum of $4,335.56, aOhich sam the court found to be due
ME in my final settlement with the Territory"
Mr. Bursnh having made this statement, it becomes in
cunbent upon the New Mexican to inform the people of the
true nature of his alleged exoncration, in pursuance Of it's
duty to the public as a newspaper and to the end that the
people may be fully advised on the issues Of this campaign.
For that purpose the New Mexican today publishes facts
of record, which cannot be denied in or out Of court by Mr..
Bursum: 1t also publishes part Of a speech delivered in Dem
ing October %, 1911, by Ex-Governor Hagerman, a man whose
integrity or veracity has never been questioned and will not
be questioned by anyone in the state. This speech was pub
lished in the Albuquerque Morning Journal Of October 90,
1911. No statement which he made at that time has ever
been disproved.
Governor Hagerman did not call Mr.. Bursum a thief nora IN embezzer
The New Mexican does not call Mr. Bursum a thief MOI an embezzer 1T ID
submits the facts and allegations which have been made by a ex-governor
of the territory and a mn of unimpeachable integrity and allows the
people to draw their own conclusions as to. whether Mr.. Bursum's admins
tTatton Of the pententary was the kind of administration this state wants
in the governors office We likewise allow the people to draw their own i
conclusions as to whether Mr.. Bursum was "exonerated" and given a
bill of health which reasonable men win claim is "clean." Threats of libel q
suits cannot properly deter any newspaper which does Its duty t. the pub
lie from publishing these facts. IL
We call the attention of the people to the following facts;
Mr.. Bursum secured his accounting by virtue Of a special law passed
by the legislature, a legislature over which Mr.. Bursurn has his usual Ier r
isahve influence, directing that his case be heard In his own county, Of I.
which he vas the political boss. before a Judge who, al he had a perfect =
right to be- was a personal friend Of Mr.. 5ursum and closely affiliated
with Mr. 5ursun politically and with the political organization Of which
he was the head. li
committee Of which Mr. 7uFsum was chairman, a personal and political
friend Of MI. eursun.
The attorney general supposed TO prosecute the cas- In behalf Of the
state, was Albert 3. Fall appointed BY Governor George Curry whom Fall h
9'cwingy eulogzed at the Inauguration Of Curry The governor vas a per-
sonai friend OF 5ursum and has been prominent In his political organize.
ton; the attorney general was = personal and political friend Of Mr. Bur h
sum-, and Mr. sursum is now hls candidate. M Ia
The attorney general vas appointed In August Of that year and quilted \
ofhce some four months afterwsrd, following the Vndlcaion.
The report Of the referee was frankly an attack OF the outside audit
Of the prison books and a iabored defense Of Mr.. Bursun. Il was written
extensively and Is IN exoneraHon. A copy Of the report IL IN file Il tls |.
office M those who doubt this may call and read IT,
The report admitted that the prison books could not all be found. II
The report OF the Colorado Title G. Trust companys dsInterested ac
ccumant upon Mr. Bursuns accounts wal not introduced Tor defended i
by the attorney general at the hearing.
The Dill II exceptions to the referees report offered by Mr. Faps +
preseason nc which pointed out garing impropreies In the report was
not introduced Tor pressed by the attorney general
BY stipulation with defense counsel, Mr.. Fall allowed the case to no
before the curt in the form Of the Stafford report.
There being no contest the court found for the Stafford renort