New Mexico state record. (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1914-19??, 1920-08-13
GOVERNOR LARRAZOLO Is.
SUES SECOND STATEMENT
EXPLAINING CANDIDACY


nomination for Governor.
He attributes the opposition to
the influence of certain mining men
and interests and makes it clear
that he is a candidate for no other
office.
His statement follows:
You gentlemen of the press. for
the past several days. have been
requesting an interview with me,
and an expression from me, con-
cerning the political situation SO
far as my candidacy is concerned,
as the same has developed from re-
cent republican conferences.
II have delayed in giving you the
interview until conditions should so
develop that could speak advised
ly on the situation.
"As a candidate, for the highest
office within the gift of the people
OF this state, | have felt all the time
that it is due to the electorate Of
New Mexico that they fully under
stand the political situation, and t.
know the views of men prominent
in the political atmosphere, and
particularly of those in office, and
of those aspiring to political prefer
ment, on questions of great in
terest to the people at large. hence
my previous announcement, con-
cerning some of the great issues to
come before the people. as made
Whatever may have been the in
fluences in this state in the past
that guided the electorate in deter
mining for whom they should vote,
in announcing my candidacy for re-
nomination 10 the office of COVER
nor, | did so, believing that the time
had come when candidates should
appeal to the support of the peo-
ole OF the state, not only upon their
individual worth, merit or popular
ity, but principally upon well defin-
ed issues touching the political in
terest. and adhering to that opinion.
I made public the basic principles
of future legislation which | favor.
Previous to my announcement,
there had been some declared op-
position to my denomination. based
largely upon purely personal Rriev-
ances. This arose from the fact
that had refused to remove Ger
tain appointees. and had refused 10
assist in the removal of others This
naturally aroused an antagonism
on the part OF certain prominent
politicians, who apparently felt that
! should act in compliance with
their requests. These gentlemen,
being men OF influence, drew others
to their support. and while | rec
ognize the opposition to be formid-
able, yet, it being purely personal in
its nature, ! do not believe the peo-
pie generally would be interested in
the details of matters so petty in
their nature: therefore, | will dis
miss such without comment.
There are however, other
sources OF opposition to my renomi-
nation which certainly deserve very
serious consideration by the people
OF the state, and which makes one
of the chief issues in determining
the propriety of my candidacy I
have mentioned the reasons for
some of my opposition am re-
liably informed of another and
more powerful opposition to me.
namely, from some Of the mining in
terests of the state. 1t behooves
the public, for it is matter of pub
lie, interest to know the reason for
the opposition of these interests to
me and of the use of their most
powerful influence to defeat my re-
nomination. These interests can
not acquit themselves before the
forum of public opinion by the sim
pie terse statement that they are
opposed to me- such statement
would not satisfy the public. for
for the opposition. 1t will be of in
terest to the general public to know
that those self same interests were
openly friendly to me during and
after the strike of the coal miners
in this state in the month OF No
vember last. 1t is quite signifi-
cant and suggestive OF the real mo-
tive. that I lost the friendship of
some of them the very moment that
vetoed the bill repeating the in
come tax law. 1t is well known
some serious doubts as to the con-
stitutionalty of the present income
tax law. However. I knew the
proper forum in which that ques-
ton should be determined was in
the courts, and not bv either the
legislature or the executive.
hoped that a test case would be
brought so that the next legislature
could be guided by the courts de-
cision. to that end. IL it should be
necessary to amend the constitu-
thon it might be done. II is also
well known that representatives oi
some of our largest mining COM
panies do not paw their proportion
of taxes: they. however. strenuous
" oppose anv steps for the revision
of the mine tax laws and oppose
anv legislation that tends in any
wav to increase their taxes.
This therefore. is the real issue
between me and those gentlemen
who oppose any legislation revising
the mining laws of the state. or
rather. il is an issue between them
and the people of the state, an Is
sue that should he determined by
the people.
"f these gentlemen are correc,
in their views. then no complaint
can be lodged against them for op-
posing me. but they should be frant
and fair with the people and pre-.
sent their position. and the reason.
therefor, and submit TO frank and
fair discussion of the same They
should not seek to hide their rea
opposition beneath a cloak of per
sona1 attack. and conceal their
position and their real motive unit
after the election is over and tht
legislature in session.