Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1920-10-17
go SEE BURSUM."

Anyone who present at the late lamented
republican state convention, any other state con-
venton of republicans during the past ten years,
and who had any chance to see what was going on
behind the scenes is familiar with the expression,
go See Bursum."
SHOULD so-and-so be put in nomination." "Go
see Bursum" WAS it time to switch the delega-
tion?" go see Bursum." Gould such such a
be a candidate for state senator?" go sec
Bursum." one would conclude that if Mr.. Bursum
should drop dead the wheels of the convention
would cease to go around.
At a session of the legislature, upon every hand
and upon all occasions, the reply concerning pros
pectve laws Legislative strategy is inevitably Go
see Bursum."
This man, twice repudiated for governor by the
people, without official status in the state govern
ment, makes and unmakes men and measures at
his whim This statement is without exaggeration
No man -fnd bill withstand his dspeasure.
We were informed that the Journal couldn't. That
remains to be seen.
How is all of this accomplished? First of all
by the absence of a statewide primary law which
makes it possible for him to manipulate whole
counties en- masse in mOb-cauCuses and mob-con-
ventions through his satellites Nothing short of
such a law will break his arbitrary and un-
wholesome control over the machinery of this state
Secondly, by the absence of real budget law
which permits 'log-rolling," that is the you-vote
for his appropriation and wlvote foryOurs sys-
tenn of spending the public money. With such a
law which estimates the revenues of the state and
has hearings before competent board as to how
that money be most wisely expended this sys-
tenn be stopped.
Thirdly, by the absence of a proper tax law
which makes it advantageous for great corpora
tions to spend time and money for political control
so as to avoid taxes, thus driving them to Mr.. Bur
sum allies With this motive gone their interest
in campaigns will largely
nv no abs Of bj-par TROLL
of the land office which leaves its vast resources
subject to political manipuations in building al
machine.
We have often said that Mr.. Bursums knowl-
edge of Spanish his acquaintance with racial char
acterstics his skill a leader and his vast ac-
quaintance prime factors in giving him influ-
He is entitled to this He has earned it. It'll
is unfortunate that he misuses it. He could be in
valuable to the people had he sense Of service in
the general welfare
His power, through the mechanics of government
which he has built up, can be broken by Changel
in that machinery. But he must be defeated be-
fore such changes be made. There is nothingI
personal in this viewpoint We have no ilrwiIl to-
ward Mr.. Bursum. But the happiness and pros
perty of the people require liberation from his
control.
Because he has helped a in which some
people especially interested, they feel obligated
to him. Did he not finally aid powerfully in sub
hitting prohibition? Tim prohibonists should all
aid him in holding his power, they reason.
But suppose he had not sensed the fact that the
public demanded prohibition. Suppose he had en-
tertaned the other view Then all the effort OF all
the forces would have been in vain, for he could
have prevented submission.
Can any fail to see how unwholesome it is in |
democracy to create any uncrOwned car?
Today he may act wisely; tomorrow supported by
good men and women whom he aided yesterday |
he may force unconscionabIe law upon the people
kill law of advantage to the people.
The power of such a man must be broken. The
public welfare demands it. This only be done
by defeating the state republican ticket.
Then, with liberazed laws which restore the |
powers of government to the people, there will be
an era when the motto of those aspiring to office
will be, go SEE THE PEOPLE,"