The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1920-10-27
A MADE-OVER PLATFORM PLANK

NJiEN the democratic party convention at Las Vegas adopted its
w platform a representative Of the Albuquerque Morning journal
- was there and secured a copy of the document as completed by
the resolutions committee, and unanimously adopted by the conven-
ton. He sent it to the journal and that paper printed it, complete.
The Evening Herald had a representative at the Las Vegas crA.
by the convention, aud who sent that eery to this paper, and The
Herald also printed the democratic platform complete.
peared in the Journal and in the Herald on August %.
Both Of these contained the democratic platforms road plank.
which was and is as follows
THAT we favor the repeal Of the laws creating and main.
as ioinng the state road board, and the inadequate and cum.
bersome system of soeaned road construction and mainten-
ance under which the funds appropriated for such purposes
are disSipated, and exhausted in salaries and expenses with
no little profit TO the highways Of the state and we favor the
substitution therefor of statutes restoring to the several
counties the maintenance of roads within their limits under
statutory regulations which shall insure good roads at a fair
and reasonable expense
This declaration pledged Mr.. Hanna and the democratic lcgisla.
tive candidates TO destroy the state highway commission, to dcccu-
trahae road management, to resurrect political county road manage
ment and the precinct road boss, and to throw out federal aid road
funds and projects. 1t could mean nothing else.
On September the republican state convention adopted a plat
form which was printed in both Albuquerque papers, printed in cir
etlar form aud distributed everywhere throughout New Mexico. This
Platform contained a plank which condemned in perfectly plain
English the ''reactionary policy of the democratic party as announced
in lis platform thus calling public attertion directly to this demo
cratic road wrecking pledge.
On October IA The Evening Herald published on its first page
aheayiy displayed statement concerning this democratic road pledge
pledged Mr.. Hanna and his legislative candidates.
On October % the democratic headquarters discovered that New
wreck the state highway department, throw out federal aid and re-
turn 10 the corrupt and wasteful System of the precinct road boss,
Of the state highway commission. There had been more dissatisfac-
democrats intended to play upon that dissatisfaction and to that end
pledged Hanna ard his legislative candidates TO wreck the state high.
way department. They thought it would prove popular.
ID. X b. Sellers, candidate for the state senate from this district,
was one Of the first 20 discover that there was something wrong with
popular sentiment on the democratic road plank. Sellers is the loud.
talker Isl the state on good roads and tourist travel. Itis part Of his
business. ltput him in the position of trying 10 wreck his own bust.
ness and il started garage owners all the way from Springcrvile
10 Ration TO pounding him.
Still the democratic headquarters did not wake up. Seligman
wns to busy starting freeracker revolutions In Valencia
e0lntY and Hanna was dcnouneing bosses and making deals with
Frank hubbeh. Tony Lucero was mastering up his courage to begin
the smashing of those women and Putney was "~peddhng pruncs'
Finally Seigman, finding some real revolutions in democratic
counties, went to the east side OF the state. lie found good roads
advocates and thoughtful citizens generally up in arms against the
democratic road plank. lie woke up TO the fact that playing politics
with the highways wasn't popular.
IL waa an easy situation with Seigman. lie merely phoncd into
headquarters TO rewrite the democratic platform. 1t was done at
once s.f sM
That is the history of the democratic platform pledge on roads.
The party, by lis platform adopted at Las Vegas, stands pledged TO
destroy the state highway commission, and decentrahzc road manage
mont Its candidates and platform orators have preached the doe
trine in counties where they thought it would be popular. They are
trying to back up and hedge at The last minute so as to stem an indig-
nant public sentiment. ~.
II all sheds an interesting light OH a little matter that has been
brought up in this campaign by q party named Hanna. That matter
is popularity referred 10 Us 'bosdsm.
ScigmaD picked Hanna for governor six months before the dem
oeyptic convention met at Las Vegas. lie smothered all the opposi-
tIn to Hanna with his own tight little machine, The Hanna cam
The delegates were instructed 10 raHfy the nomination made by the
boss and they obeyed orders nicely.
Not only did Seligman make the candidates 10 order, but he made
the platform TO order. When, at the last minute in the campaign
had 10 do was to order il rewritten to suit popular sentiment.
We have heard quite a lot about the power of republican BOSSES
but when you line them up with the energetic little dealer in state
bonds who manages the democratic party in New Mexico, they look
like q bunch OF noyices in the boss business.
II Boss Seligman haSn Z learned il during his trip TO the eastern
part Of the state, be will learn. shortly after November :, that there
arc several other planks In his platform that could have been re-
urhksh with profit TO his candidate.
W tH #f. o-"