Deming graphic. (Deming, N.M.) 1903-1948, 1920-10-12

wants 10 know lot Of things about
the negro voters OF Columbus He as
serts that the republican state central
committee Is raising an tissue Of the
most reprehensible and undesirable
character Why ''reprehensible and
undesirabley" The only issue being
rained IL whether or not American
citizens shall he deprived Of their CON
stitutional right to vote In the coming
election, irrespective Of race. color, or
class.
Editor Magec says an immediate
and categorical denial from you Cthe
republican state central cOmmittee)
only can serve the purpose Of prevent
Ing this issue from becoming most
serious one In this campaign" We do
not know how the committee may
view the matter, and shall not attempt
To forecast its reply. We are In n po-
siti0n. however, TO know the situation
as il exists at Columbus, and to esti-
mate Luna county sentiment regarding
IT, From this vantage point not Oc-
cupled by Mr.. Magee. we beg TO make
some comment.
We who have lived In Luna county
for some years represent many sections
Of the country; we have learned to get
along pretty well Together by each
attending 10 his own business and not
insisting on imposing on the other fel-
low with sectional customs and prejud-
Ices; out west everybody votes who is
II citizen. regardless Of his customs,
language. color, religion. political creed
or moral state-thnt is, as n general
rule.
Republicans have long realized that
the negro question In the south IL one
for the citizens of that section TO work
out as best they may with the inter
ests Of the whole country In view.
The Graphic editor knows the south
well enough to understand that he has
no business presenting that harrird
section with plan To handle It's great
problem. But the republicans would
view with alarm" the extension OF n
system, that may work very well In
| Alabama. To New Mexico. with Its
mixture OF races that, some way. must
get along together as good Americans
should.
Mr.. Magees questions are velewed
from two ndpoints--legallty and
expediency. The legal question has
been carefully considered by compe
tent lawyers, and the Graphic under
stands that the lawyers are substant
ially In agreement that soldier, IA
qualify as voter, must conform ia
the same requirements as any other
citizen. except that the fact of his
presence In military service Is not ia
he considered either for or against his
claim. The LAWYERS further agree. aS
the Graphic understands, that IN judg
ing the right OF n woman 10 vote, the
question of her husbands residence l.
not determining. and that her voting
residence may. in fact. he different
from that of her husband.
ON the question Of expediency, II hn,
been suggested that 10 allow the pe
grOes to vote means black mayor Oi
Columbus next spring. II this fear /,
well grounded. which 1t is not con
ce,led 10 he. the Graphic should still
take the viewpoint that II is never eX
pedient to disenfranchise citizen, and
that the constitution of the United
StnteS and Of New Mexico should not
he violated because of the fear of par
ticipation by negroes in local govern
ment.
Editor Magec should allay his fears
about $500 negro soldier voters. The
negro vote OF Columbus, II fully cast
would probably not exceed 800. Re
uuhlicanS have no desire In the world
to see Illegal votes cast by negr'
soldiers. or any one else. and they real
iZe fully that not all Of the negroes oi
Columbus are legal voters.
Columbus Is normally small towI
and its present rather imposing popu
lation Is made up very largely Of ne
gro soldiers. together with white and
black camp followers who minister tC
their wants In return for n large per
centage Of the soldiers pay. There
Is no objection to the negroes money
Many Of the soldiers have their fam
lilies In Columbus, where they rent anC
frequently own homes. A large parl
Of the troops stationed at Columbus
have been there for the past five years
longer than Mr.. Magee has been In New
Mexico. That the troops mag he or
dered away is quite possible; also that
the army Of camp followers would FOL
low them to n new station. But they
have not been ordered away, and they
have no intention of leaving Of theiI
own volition. The democratic admin
istratlon might have ordered then
away Republicans are willing tC
rredit the administration with leaving
them here out OF recognition Of thC
lunfairness of removing them at a
time which would deprive them Of
their voting residence. The law does
not require any voter to swear or af
firm his intention to spend the rest OF
his davs In his present abode.
To Mr.. Magee. In his detached po
sition. his questions appear much NOR,
important and burning than to us ol
the SPOT. We republicans appreclat,
the innate hostility OF the southern
democrat to negro votes. Democrats
must. on the other hand, apprecint,
that il is impossible for republican,
'pmelv TO submit to the disenfranchise
ment OF somewhat numerous clas'
NJ republican voters. As n matter oi