Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1920-09-26
NECHEM AND BOSSISM.

When we asked Judge Mechem to repudiate the
bosses publicly we knew we were asking him to do
somethng he would not feel he could do can
didae for office just as it would be improbable that
Judge Hanna would publicly repudiae State Chair
man Arthur Selgman of National Commit eman
A. A. Jones, who the main cogs in the democratic
machine, if asked to do .
Each, quite naturally, will seek to hold together
all possible strength for the election. But will they
accept such help. financial and personal as to obl-
gate them to these reactionares?
: The old bossism of the republican party is more
reprehensible than that of the democratic party
only because tho interests seeking special privilege
naturally ally themselves with the dominant party.
With that dominance shifted to the democratic
party they will be found there, to plague Judge
Hanna just as they will be there to annoy Judge
Mechem if he is elected. 1t is all simple twist
of the wrist in which "the hand is quicker than
the eye"
For instance we understand that Mr.. Percy
Wilson, republican, and Mr.. Billy Walton, demo-
crat are law partners and such represent the
Chino copper interests. In recent years Mr. Wilson
has been much in evidence during legislative ses-
sons as an active lobbyist Change the political
complexion of the legislature and Mr.. Wilson will
stay at home and attend to details while Mr. Walton
will turn lobbyist. Isn't it simple?
This is time for any "hoier-than-thou atti-
tnde by the people of the parties. Both have been
seeking reactonaries. Even with progressive cam
didates elected office these officers will find
themselves with reactonary organizations seeking
to control their appointments and policies Either
will have to break with them after election If they
fail to do prior to that time, if they expect to
serve in the public interest Neither party got rid
of its old organization at their recent conventions
May we add that among the organization people of
both parties are many philosophical people. But
they are very far from being in control in either
party Both parties still have that job to do.
We are supporting Judge Mechem. We are do
ing it in the public interest see it, We wosd
like to see Judge Mechem openly break with the
bosses, but we had such hope We did want to
Law the ground work for the statement that we are
supporting Judge Meehem with the understanding
on our part that the bosses will have control
over him. 1t probably is ineXpedient for him to re-
pudiate them. Neither Harding Cox viii openly
repudiate the liquor interests for political reasons
The friends of each trying to trap the other into
doing so, that the liquor vote may be driven to the
other similar situation, politically, obtains be-
tween Mechem and Hanna.
Judge Mechem is getting our support in the be-
lief that, as governor he will be free agent. He
knows thoroughly how feel about bosses. If he
accepts our support but. in his heart clings to an
intention to play politics with them after election,
he will have obtained our support under false pre-
lenses
Rumors to the contrary notwithstanding, the big
interests are not contributing to the funds of elect
Judge Mechem. The committee has less funds IN
hand and in sight than the democratic committee
We believe in the freedom of Judge Mechem from
domination. We think know the situation. Pro-
gressive republicans safely line up for him. If
we believed otherwise we would say So
There is no need of deserving Mechem to break
the bosses They will force Mechem to do the
breaking within ninety days after he takes office
or sacrifice his honor and his future.