New Mexico state record. (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1914-19??, 1918-07-12
PLAN TO DISPENSE
WITH POLITICS AT
NEXT ELECTION
By HOLM o. BURSUM.

boys the opportunity of exercisini
the right of suffrage at the from,
where they are fighting to perpet'
uate the institutions which make i,
possible to live under free govern
mente If not, why not?
That is one of the questions being
considered just now by those in au.
thority as we'll as those of the rank
and file. Iowa. New York, Massachu.
setts, and many other progressive
states of the union have made provi,
sion for making available the ballot
for the benefit of her citizens en-.
gagged in military service when alb
sent in the performance OF duty. H.
linois is about to submit the ques-
ton and will probably adopt similar
measures, providing for the right OF
suffrage for her citizens engaged in
military service.
II our soldiers are good enough to
bare their breasts in the trenches OF
blood-stained Europe so that democ-
racy shall be made safe, are they not
good enough to exercise the ballot
in the affairs of the country for
whose cause their lives are being de-
voted9 This is not a question of par
tisan politics, aggrandizement, or ad-
vantage for any person, set of per-
sons or political party; political
creed or affiliation is not to be con-
sidered a standard or measure pre-
liminary to the extension of suf-
frage rights.
1t has been suggested that to grant
this privilege would incur a burden
some tax; That is pure, ordinary rot.
First: No expense is to great to
show due appreciation to the heroes
whose presence at the front is a
guarantee of peace. good will and
perpetual freedom under the Stars
and Stripes.
Second: There is no sense in in
curing any great expense. The bal
lots may be sent over and brought
back as any other mail which is
carried by your Uncle Sam at normal
rates.
Some unknown patriot. signing
himself Subscriber" in the Las CRU
ccs citizen. sets up the argument
that to grant this franchise would
be great waste of resources: that
the legislature might better appro-
pirate money for the purchase of
war stamps, liberty bonds, contribu-
tions to the Y NJ. c. A.. Red Cross,
and so on. True these war activities
must all be supported and the full
quota forthcoming to meet each and
every call of our government; how
ever, not through legislative appro-
priations, but from the sweat of the
brow of every human being in close
cooperation for the winning of the
war.
For the early winning of this war
every resource is essential, both ma
terial and mental: That means econ
omy, thrift. mobilizing our material
assets; it also means elimination of
political strife, We must all thor
oughlv appreciate this war is waged
to make democracy safe in the worl I.
II is not war to make the demo-
cratic party safe. nor is it war of
the republican party; nor is it war
to be made use of for the benefit of
any political party. 1t is a gigantic
worldstruggle wherein the Ameri-
can people united and in close CO.
operation, faithfully adhering to
principle, are to furnish the balance
Of power which will bring victory,
with guarantees of peace
and freedom henceforth for all peo-
pies and all countries
This being our basis, why not cut
out political strife for two years, the
end OF which period, let us hone.
will witness the end of the war. Why
not agree to let the statu quo con-
irue for two years as to all state,
district and county officers This
night be done through constitution
n ann ndn ent. extending the tenure
d office fof~ two years. 1t might be
argued that this cannot be done on
account of prohibition OF the cor
'titution, providing that months
period must elapse before. an
amendment is voted upon after the
late of submission by the legislature.
take it, however. that military nee
IS ty would permit of ar immediate
'utm ssion. If such an amendment.
ln'l that the same having once been
'u' mitted by the legislature. the
,coLle having spc ken, no ue.tion of
'al,dity could therefore be raised.
Wow, as to our federal officials, we
will have a vacancy for senator and
respectively. What are
he reqnirments? Full fledged red
FLOODED Americans. At present these
,fices are filled by Hon. Albert B.
Fall, United States Senator, and Hon
B. Walton, member of Con-
yress. One a republican and the 9TH
n a democrat. Both patriotic and
thorough Americans, and actively in
he harness, being clothed with ex-
,erience in matters relative to he
var since its inception.
Why. not both political parties
lgree to maintain the present con-
litions. Let both Senator Fall and
representative Walton be reelected
" the consent and will of all poll
ical parties without opposition. Let
Ill state, district, county and pre-
inct officers continue for two years
onger, and have no election or po-
itical strife this year.
The energy, the wire pulling, the
luareling, the scandals, the mud
singing and everything else some
lines made use of in political cam
,aigns be substituted by united eff
'ort to win the war, and win it now.
n this manner can we achieve Kip
ings definition of the essentials
Necessary for success, THE everlast-
n team work of every blooming
oul," That's the way to win the war
md win it now.
1t is up to the republicans; it is
lp to the democrats; it is up to ev-
.ry citizen to decide If it is through
'uch measures should be adopted.
=. If you do. get busy with Governor
indeaw "A c,n an n<As~ .a..:-. ~H