Albuquerque morning journal., 1920-10-04
MIR. BURSUM AGAIN.

Mr. Bursum is visbly worried. His letter to us,
published yesterday shows it in every line. He is
Jared out of his usual tacturnity by the
terror of certain defeat which confronts him. As
usual with all of us fear made him foolish who is
usually so wise.
He really tried to get sarcastic; to metaphoric-
ally hang our hide on the fence He shows badly
in such a role. He is a gifted boss of plant party
following, but a poor wieder of flayng pen. He
needs editing when he speaks for publication. BY
silence he appear wise; when he writes he be-
trays his limitations
We gladly gave Mr. Bursum the prominent space
for which he prayed. We did it, first to be fair,
and second, because it good anti-Bursum prop
uganda.
Mr. Bursum will "be dsapponted' If We do not
go to Cox in a week or two, He is doomed to that
disappointment because have no intention of
supporting Mr. Cox, But then, that is not the only
disappointment which awaits Mr.. Bursum in the
next thirty days,
We are for Harding and Coolidge. We believe
the country will be best served by their election.
Therefore, according to Mr. Bursum's machine
made" mind traitors to Harding unless we
stand for all the foolish and unfair things his
erals and colonies majors and captains and lieu
tenants do Sure! Failure to unwaveringy support
the Organization" is high treason in the realm where
Mr.. Bursum reigns.
We never accused Mr. Bursum of coercing any
body Why bother to do that while he has Ed
Otero and Sec Romero and their k, to do it for
him? "Shut up and sit down. you-- -- -"
is Mr.. Romero's gentle means of persuasion with
delegates from San Miguel county
Bursum does not seek to make money out of
politics He may not even seek 'preferment' in the
usual sense of the word. Bursum is obsessed with
love of power. 1t is meat and drink TO him. To
bend to his will, to pull the strings and see
the puppets dance, satisfies his soul. Because of
that mania and for that alone, probably he is en-
crossed in politics.
Bursum's greatest private virtue is his greatest
public fault. He is loyal to his friends" right or
wrong. He defends them in their sins against the
public.
He countenances Sec. Romero because he needs
him in his business San Miguel has 80 votes in
convention and Romero has them in his pocket.
He countenances Springer and Hawkins and Sullyl
and Wilson with their methods of taX-evasion be-
cause he could have machine without them. He
is not interested in their escaping taxes. but they
But he needs them.
His ambitions do not clash with those of Senator
Fall Therefore they do team work. in run
ming the state.
In view of the fact that 1000 people were present
at the convention will not reply to Mr.. Bursums
denial that he rode herd" a large element in
the convention. They saw it all.
Mr.. Bursum assumed to exercise his American
privilege of citizenship" in the convention. We
think he did without much interference. He was
temporary chairman, keynoter, nominator of a.
gubernatoral candidate from his county, chief
floor leader conference leader and numerous other
kinds of leader His assumption superb. If
we deny him these simple prerogatives a duly
accredited delegate" we had "better join the So
viets." And yet people say Mr. Bursum is without
wit and cannot be funny!
We are glad Mr.. Bursum defends the mine tax
dodgers. 1t helps to classify him. He turns plain
demagogue when he intimates that call these
gentlemen "outlaws or burglars" He is within the
record when he credits us with thinking them "con-
sprators."
AS we have said upon two three previous oc-
casions much of Mr. Bursum's sway in New Mexico
power Of heading organization which is a close
corporation, Mr. Bursum speaks Spanish under
stands the natives has the widest acquaintance of
any man in New Mexico and is usually superbly
wise and is always courageous. These qualities
make him tremendous factor for good evil in !
New Mexico.
We, on two occasions held the door open for
Mr.. Bursum to desert the gang in certain coun-
ties and the special interests in others and to
come to the people The people needed him.
He acted as though he might the light and
become the real leader of reform in New Mexico /
1t was only feint. He never intended to desert
his friends He "stayed put"
Under his guidance New Mexico is twenty-five
years behind where she should be. That answers
the question OF the quality Of his leadership. 1t j