Albuquerque morning journal., 1919-06-05
June 3, 1919
p,pERs AND POLITICS.

rverv state party gathering num-
hers among its most earnest eoul'Se'-
1crs and workers newspaper men from
various counties. They know Soho'-
lions in the parts of the state ana
,,,,o+ nolitical errors of management
ooc,, in campaigns. Their Journals
have much influence as informatofy
agencies and through thoughttaI 'o'- !
roriaI presentation Of policies
In addition TO the effect of pTlh''"
matter the personal participation Oh
the newspaper folk in political aetiVi-
+,as connts for much. Their active as
sistance is generally given freely IN
snrport of party nominees, even Il /
friends whom they favor for nomlna-
tious are turned down IN primaries
and conventions.
Rarely does an editor or publisher
become a candidate for office, Part
Nv this is because he is early drawn
Nv associations into working for ad-
vanccment Of friends or political lead
ers.
Long before the time TO make pub
lie advocacy of other candidates he ls
committed. even if ambition and need
of revenue make him wish for posi-
ton.
Often pride is factor accompanied
by the feeling that continued service
and ability should result in gratuttous
and unsuggestcd consideration. There
fore often one goes along a party
drudge. uncomplainngly.
Today in New Mexico there are few
journalistic workers rewarded with
the help of salaried post offices. such
places usually going to others who
often have done little party service
and in many cases have no special
qualifications, nor the capacity that
is found in most publishing cstab-
lishmcnts.
Frequently the first man whose
name and help is sought by petl-
TONER for appointment or election is
an editor, who aids though perhaps
in need of the place himself,
Look through the state and few
newspaper workers will be found in
county offices. They stand aside and
root for others.
At the state meeting in progress
doubtless every editor in attendance
is. for the good of the party, advocat-
ing esta blishment of daily newspa-
per for the coming national campaign.
This is one of the subjects planned for
discussion. That a strong newspaper
properly conducted and sustained with
wide circulation is advantageous in a
campaign, goes without saying. News
paper men know that, yet every one
of them also knows. though probably
silent on the subject that it is the
local papers that do the most good in
stimulating and maintaining organza
ton necessary to win where contests
are close
The local papers make no financial
demands complain not when the
equities are forgotten and do not
crouch; do not so across to another
party to win favor, They make nc
financial demands, but at much ex-
pense use their columns to advance
interests of party and politicians. Very
often in campaign quite as much
cash is received by a publisher fol
printing tickets and other matter, witt
paid advertising from candidates Of
another party as from his own party
organization and nominees.
This is occasionally due to the fac
that some clique supplies money OF
credit for the express purpose of es
tablishing local newspaper to pro
mote a clique interest, when there i
already one paper in the field work
ing for the party and loyal enough I
support which ever faction select
candidates against the opposition.
Politicians generally consider tina
official advertising, when given to
newspaper is velvet enough TO canoe
obligations. Usually ii constitutes bu
a small part Of the business of a pub
llcation. Often even that is lost o
denied when factional divisions caus
the establishment of two local paper
of the same politics i'll town o
county.
Yet the newspaper men generall
work earnestly. even making long ant
expensive journeys to attend conven
tions and consultations, without tn
stightest expectation that il will brini
individual advantage.
There are some very excellent dem
ocratic newspapers in democrats
counties In New Mexico. But inspcc
tion shows that not to political patron