Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1920-09-28
NOT A TRAITOR TO THE PEOPLE.

Are the "old group" in the republican party try
ing to make it impossible for the Journal to support
the party in state matters? There are indications
to that effect.
One of them recently applied the gentle name
of Judas Iscariot to US, if are to believe what
we told.
Just what have we done to the party or its can
didates entite to this historic classification?
We have said no word in derogation of Judge Me
chem, nor any one else the ticket. On the con-
trary we have repeatedly expressed our confidence
in Judge Mechem
But an effort is being made to force us to de-
fend the record of the party in the state, and to
urge to support the ticket in vindication Of
.qthat record. This we decline to do Our failure
to do so brands us as a traitor in the eyes of the
sold group" They feel we ought to defend the
record the party has made.
We wish to open columns to any who will
attempt to show record for the party since state
hood which can be defended in good conscience. We
know the party submitted the constitutional amend
ment on prohibition. But it did not do it until a
non-partisan organization had built public senti-
ment to a point where the bosses deemed it nee
essary step to be taken. They ratified woman suf-
frage after non-partisan public clamor had forced
it into the platform. After twenty years delay they
partially caught up with the rest of the world and
enacted Australian ballot law which other states
had used for generation.
But when and where and how has the party in
the state ever stepped the party of progress
i, and undertaken to build public sentiment for "a
square deal" and a progressive state?
Backward beyond belief with regard to primary
law, criminaly negligent if not positively corrupt
with reference to mine-tax law; at least wholly
complacent with reference TO the acknowledgement
of our school lands and funds; VIGOROUSLY back
ward upon all other questions of progressive legisla-
tion what is there in the "bossism" since statehood
to defend? We simply will not try to defend it, We
would stultify ourselves if we did
Every reader knows attitude prior to the
convention. We We're assailing and belaboring the
men who had horribly mismanaged the party
We were demanding deal. We insisted that
the throttlehod Of reactonaries and special inter-
ests on the party be relaxed To now defend what
We then assailed would be to stutfy ourselves be-
yond retrieve.
Did any one so msguide himself as to believe
when he solicited our support of the ticket that
we would defend today what We condemned yes
terday? And does the failure to Zine up" make us
a traitor?
We demanded new deal and forward-lookine
program. They gave us our program-on paper
That did not satisfy We were silent until Judge
Mechem assured us he with US, heart and soul
in our plans to improve conditions. We took hin
at his word and gave him support. Were we
guble when We did it and duped into fame
with marked cards? Only Judge Mechem can an
swer that.
We gave him our support, not to defend the
past, but to hold out promise of reform which
would enttle the party to the franchise of the PEG
pie We believed in the ability Of the party to re
deem its record. We accepted Judge Mechem as
the Moses to lead u sout Of the wilderness.
The opportunity to do such service comes tt
but few men. VII Judge Mechem be so timorou
as to let his chance pass by? He cannot be elected
upon the record of the republican party in this state
He should not be- II he is entitled to an election
is as the guide to better day, Thoughtful people
may follow him toward the rising sun of a new da!
Of service but will be led into the tent OF TIT
bosses where only the darkness of night is.
We have proven traitor to none All knew where
N we stood We have been ready to go ahead will
Judge Mechem 1t is not fault that he stands il
hesitation looking back with longing eyes at hi
political friends of other days and refuses to lead on
If he cannot leave them must go on alon
or join those going our way. Judge Mechem canno
cling to Fall Bursum, Hawkins, Wilson. Springer
Sully and their k and still be the progressive eade
of the people
Glittering generaties will not do. Specific de
-nuncation of wrongs done and specific promise
of what is to be done are necessary.
err Is Judge Mechem going to insist upon compelling
the people to classify him as old dog Tray and t
Al punish him for the company he keeps?
It is not yet too late The republican stat
ticket can win il it ought win. Republicans, VIII
Z. love their state above their party but love thei
party none the less, wish to accomplish reform iron
within if possible But they are bent upon accom-
nIishinc reform. 49, r.