Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1920-11-15
MECHEM 1881 VOTES BEHIND HARDING.

The Journal has awaited the announcement OF
some definite figures the results of the recent
election before making reply to the cry OF Mr.
Bursum and his little controlled newspapers that
the results in New Mexico a rebuke to the
journal.
The facts show that more such 'rebuke' and
there will be nothing left of Mr. Bursurrs carefully
constructed little machine. The undenable fact is
that but for the national republican landslide which
affected New Mexico along with the remainder OF
the nation Judge Mechem would have been over
whelmngly defeated,
A usual majority in this state on the national
ticket is a very narrow margin one way or the
other. This year Senator Harding, whom we sup
ported carried the state by majority of 114o7
while Judge Mechem, whom we opposed, defeated
Judge Hanna by 1926 votes-a discrepancy of Il
mere 1881 votes Had Senator Harding carried the
state by the usual margin, Judge Mcchem would
have been defeated by approximately 5000 ma
iority Yet Mr.. Bursum processes to think the re-
suit to be a vote of confidence in his management
of the state and "rebuke" to the Journal for tell
ing the people what has been done to them in the
past ten years.
Several thousand voters accepted the statements
of Judge Mechem and Mr. Bursum that bona fide re-
forms could be had as well through a republican
executive and legislature, through a democratic.
If they find they were mised, Mr.. Bursum Will not
have a corporals guard with him in the next cleo
tion exceDt in the boss-ridden Spanish American
communities Instead of attempting to console him
self about what done to us, he would more WISE
" spend his time attempting to redeem the terrible
record he has led the party to make in the past
decade Only SO can he survive more election.
1t was in the counties where the average of liter
acy and English speaking was lowest that Judge
Mechem got the huge majorites which carried him
over. That does not matter to Mr.. Byrsum. 1t was
the majority he wanted without regard to its nature
But it should afford food for thought to people
of education and thoughtfuness who constitute q
minority of that majority
Deception as to the issues and the free use OF
large sums of money carried these counties. No
newspaper printed in English reaches into these To-
caties These people never a journal and could
not read it if they did. Yet their vote ire
buke" to us.
The Journals densest circulation is in Bernao
county, There Senator Harding by $50 major
ity and Judge Mechem lost by 1850 Yet they tell
the public that the result 'rebuke" to U.S.
1t would occur to us that the state republican
leaders might we'll to "kid themselves and
each other and face the fact that republican land
slide, which affected the Pecos valley democrats
saved the state republican organization this time
Without better record next time, they doomed
The facts given the public by the Journal have
made the demand for sincere reform almost unver-
sal among people who read. We feel that are
gradually accomplishing task In this the people
are aiding by a rapidly expanding circulation.
1t would seem to to be time to face oul
legislative problems and meet the demands of Tho
people for reform We wish to be constructive in ou
criticism that may aid where possible in securing
the legislation for which have contended. We will
if the record makes it possible, gladly credit thu
republican party with the results.