Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1920-11-19
THE POWER OF PUBLIC SENTIMENT

Again we feel impelled to report that eternal
vigilance is the price of liberty" No government,
however satisfactory it's fundamental law, will run
itself. Some is bound to give it intelligence
and direction.
with an Indifferent people devoted to the pri
waite duties of life and negectfu of the public well
fare any government will drift into inefficiency, or
Those in charge seeing the Incidence of
the public in matters of state, sure to feel that
public office is for their personal benefit alone
They to be servants of the people for there is
no master demanding loyalty To serve their own
ends comes to be their sole purpose.
Drawing around them such of the community
have private special purpose to be served they
organize themselves into a machine. To perpetu-
ate themselves in office to perpetuate special
privilege becomes their object.
1t is futile to blame those who take advantage
or such a situation. They to be blamed of
course for not maintaining high standards of pub
nc service. But experience tells us that they will
not do 30 unless the eye Of the people is upon
them.
Such men are, however, responsive enough to a
keenly alive public sentiment, unless they are so
deeply entrenched to have become arrogant. Oc-
casionally they become 80 insolent in their power
that they defy public sentiment but invariably
such men are broken on the wheel of public indig-
nation before a long lapse of time. No sane pub
lie man attempts to thwart thoroughly aroused
public sentiment. Generally when they do attempt
it they do SO because they do not believe it to exist
and must be shown.
whether or not the needed reforms in New
Mexico come this winter will depend upon the
opinion held by the governor and the legislature.
of the popular demand for them If they feel that
public sentiment is aroused to punish n-compli-
ance, they will act. Otherwise nothing Of value
may be expected.
Therefore. the fate of the Immediate future is
"up to" the people. The public will receive as
good government as it demands and no better.
This paper started e-handed agitation
four months ago to arouse the public to de-
mand certain reforms Our temerity startled the
state, Yet in few brief weeks the public pres
sure was so strong that both parties committed
themselves in their platforms to these reforms
In the election supported the state demo-
cratic ticket for only reason--we believed it to
be the seriously interested in turning prom
Use into performance. By the controversy aroused
the republican party's candidates impelled to
commit themselves farther and more emphatically
until they have bound themselves beyond retrieve,
to carry their promises. That is why the Jour
nal feels that it its main purpose in the cleo
ton. We sure that good is certain to come
of the heat of the battle.
But it will not come unless the legislature feels
that the public demands it. We that
thousands of republicans stayed with their state
depend upon that party to perform. If they find
themselves disappointed the republican party in
this state is doomed.
Yet those in control of the machinery of the
organization know that a state wide primary will
relax their personal hold the party They will
not grant it unless public sentiment continues to
demand it. They know that correction of the
defects of election laws will make corruption
less easy They wish to resist it.
A corrupt practices act to support the new pr-
mary and general election law, is imperative. With
out it, the fraudulent and corrupt of money in
elections will go on. Such practice prevails in
New Mexico today a degree not equallcd else
where in America Honest elections not now a
possibility. The public must demand a change Yet
the people must expect that real corrupt prac-
tees act will be granted unwillngly by the legis-
lature.
Adequate reform. proper land supervision
and worth while budget will not be enacted into
law unless their is public clamor for them
Yet all these and other needed things will be
done if the people are sufficiently insistent 1t is
not possible for New Mexico to come into her own
and realize the growth and expansion to which
she is entitled without them. Every lover of the
common good in New Mexico should turn propa
gandst and agitate for reform. You can easily
coerce your servants at Santa Fee this winter to do
your bidding.
It should be constantly remembered that the
people will get what they demand and nothing
more Public sentiment is the greatest weapon in
the world when properly aroused.