Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1920-12-06
THE PLATFORM, A CONTRACT.

Progress is being made toward the interpre-
tation of the Journals platform into law Those of
our readers who agree to the desrabity of these
reforms but do not approve our method of at
tempting realize them must none the less, agree
that step by step, we have gradually approached
their contamination.
few months ago our boldness in declaring
for these reforms startled the state. Today. the al
most unanimous demand of public sentiment is
that they be enacted into law.
Such a public sentiment what was sought
by the Journal We well knew that, once such
state of the public mind aroused, the politicians
would be responsive to that sentiment
We fought for the denomination of Governor
Larrazolo because support of him gave us our only
tangible press these reforms. We stated re-
peatedIy that it was the program and not the man
with which we were concerned. That pre-conven-
ton contest furnished us q chance to discuss the
issues and to aid in making sentiment
We refused to support Judge Mecher' only
because he was so closely identified with interests
which had been Indifferent to the welfare of the
state that condemnation of their records was con-
strued as dsloyalty to Judge Mechem. Freedom of
action in condemning a bad past and demanding
a better future could be had only by supporting
his opponent. In doing this we had no personal
ill will toward anyone. Duty to the public compelled
us to tell the facts regardless of where they hit
The important thing to us is not who was elect
NNiA''"iN'NN 'i''-A
an aroused public sentiment. The Journal is quite
satisfied with it's part in creating demand for
these reforms.
Both Judge Mechem and H. o. Bursum in
their speeches at Las Vegas Thursday declared the
republican platform to be contract with the
people which would be carried out to the letter.
If this is done in spirit we'll in letter we
will have no further criticism to offer concerning
Mr. Bursum Judge Mechem. In fact we anxiously
await opportunity commend.
The New Mexico republican platforms of the
past have not been regarded always such con-
tracts. The record is full of failures of the party
to make good its promises. Had public sentiment
demanded fufment then as it does now there
might have been different story to tell We are
quite frankly optimistic that the party and its
leaders will redeem the past.
Judge Mechem asked the people at Las Vegas
to give him their moral support in his attempt
to give the state good, economical and business
like administration. 1t is the duty of every one to
do that very thing. His task is not an easy one.
He has hard problems to solve. If he attempts
to carry out his announced purposes he will meet
bitter opposition from minor politicians and big
business men his party whose selfish purposes are
dsarranged by his plans for state betterments
Judge Mechem has not asked for the support of
the Journal. But like the young man at the
wedding who said he did not feel so badly about not
being invited but that he anyway, we pro-
pose to give Judge Mechem support in every
worthy effort.
If an obdurate and selfish group in the legis-
lature attempts to block his laudabe plans the
Journal expects to give the public all the facts and
then rely upon public sentiment to compel the re-
calcitrants to recede.
As we have said often BEFORE if Mr.. Bursun,
decides to fight the peoples battles he can be
tower of strength to good government in New
Mexico. We will gladly commend and support every
such effort.
Several thousand people who demand reform
supported the republican ticket this fall in the
belief that they could depend upon the party II
these are to be held and several thousand who
deserted the state ticket to be reclaimed BY
the party it redeem its pledges this winter