The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1920-10-22
ON THE STUMP

WE NOTE the following statement in the current issue of the silver Tr
!" democratic candidate for the United States senate in 1918. when
President Wilson issued his famous command TO the people of New
Mexico to elect Mr. Walton and when the people responded by elect
ing Senator Albert b. Fall
Judge Reed Tiolonan, presiding judge of the first
judicial district, with headquarters at Santa Fe, is actively
campaigning the state with Judge NJ. c. Mechen, the repub-
lien candidate for governor. The spectacle OF a district
judge taking the stump in a political campaign, is one which
does not appeal to the average individual.
The statement contains the customary inaceuracy and disregard
Of facts that has characterized all of the democratic campaign propa-
gamda issued by Mr.. Arthur Seligman press agency. Judge IIollo-
man has made one public speech in this campaign at a political meet
ing at which Judge Mechem was present, This could hardly be called
campaigning the state with Judge Meehem' II is a fact that in
that one speech Judge Eorloman did considerable damage to the dem
ocratic cause and hopes, because in that speech he proved eonclusivcly
that Mr.. Hanna either does not know the laws of New Mexico with
regard to taxation, or that The democratic candidate for governor
elects to ignore the facts aud the statutes in telling the people what he
wants them to believe about the laws.
The speeches Judge HoIloman has made in this campaign, how
orous criticism Of MI. Richard II. Hanna, contained in the above quo
1t will. be recalled that a brief two years ago Mr.. Walton ran for
the United States senate on the democratic ticket; His platform was
that his "mind ran with Wilson's, y and that, like Senator A. A.
Jones Of New Mexico, he would, if elected, vote as Mr.. Wilson told
him 10 vote.
the supreme court of New Mexico, took the stump in behalf OF, Mr.
Walton; campaigned vigorously for him; urged that Waltons plat
form was one that should appeal tot free and independent American
constituency and, in effect, that the safety of the nation depended
upon the election Of a senator who would represent the views of Wood
row Wilson and not the wishes of the people of this state.
incidentally Mr.. Hanna eampagned with equal vigor for his own
reelection to the supreme bench, his efforts in that direction proving
as highly unsuccessful as were his efforts in behalf Of Nh. Walton.
Maybe that is the reason Mr. Walton is jumping on Hanna now.
Mr.. Walton has one more issue of his excellent paper before elee-
tor day. If he really wants to set before the people a striking exam
pie Of disregard for judicial dignity, in connection with Mr.. Hanna S
campaign, he can tell his readers in detail about Chief Justice Hanna 5
campaign in 1918. He can do even more for the information Of the
public he serves. He can tell them how Mr.. Hanna, while still chief
justice OF the state supreme court, permitted ms business associate
and political promoter, Mr.. Ed Chase, TO emblazon the Hanna features
upon a life insurance policy, together with his title, and to use both
the name and influence OF the highest judicial Office in the state to
aid in the peddhng of the said life insurance policies to the people.
There Il no criticism of Mr.. Hanna involved in conveying this
hint 10 Mr. Walton. There was nothing illegal. so far as We are
aware, in this use of the influence of the chief justice of the state sn.
creme Ourt. TO aid Mr.. Chase in selling life insurance policies for the
company in which Nh. Hanna, in his private capacity, IS interested
financially. The incident would not ever be in violation of a blue
sky" law, II we had that badly needed bit of Legislation on the statute
hooks. II is possible that the use his business associate and polt-
zeal promoter made Of his title and Official position did not appeal to
Mr.. Hanna as a sacrifice of the dignity of the court. There was some
general feeling at the time that a sacrifice at least of judicial dignity
had occurred.
II might be pertinent for Mr.. Walton TO ask Mr. Hanna IT, should
he be elected governor Of New Mexico, he will permit his business
associate and political promoter, Mr.. Chase, to make similar use of the
executive title and influence.