Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1921-11-23
THE GOVERNOR DEFENDS THE PAST

In a great many respects Governor Mechem Is
making a successful administration He has never
fought militanty for any part Of the progressive
program which he annouced although he has made
progress in some of those plans. While the gov
ernor has sometimes compromised with expedency,
he has been guilty of personal acts governor
which reflect upon his integrity of purpose.
The governor has always been rather forward
looking In his political views. This adds to the
mystery of the governors passion for defending the
past record of his party. He seems unwilling to
admit that mistakes have been made in the past.
An intnaton to the contrary brings him militantly
to the defense of that record, while he shows 50
mild an interest as to things which In front of
him instead OF behind him. This unaccountabla
mental characteristic cost the governor the support
of the journal last fall after 1t had announced its
support of him.
Just why the governor insists upon his party
carrying all the baggage of the past is be-
yond comprehension. There is much In that
past which cannot be defended. To confess faults
and correct them is the public confidence.
Before the schoolmasters' Club at its annual
banquet Monday night the governor defended the
school book adoption with great vigor. Yet this
adoption is entirely ndefensble. The mistake
should be admitted. The governor did not make it.
1t was done before he came into office. Why he
burdens his administration with its defense 1t is
difficult to understand.
New Mexico in the midst of a terrible finan
cial depression at the time of the adoption, The
state full OF second hand books which had
accumulated in the hands of patrons OF the schools
A re-adcltion of the old books. at increased
prices would have necessitated the purchase of less
than one-third Of the quantity of books which
became necessary under entirely new adoption
Families having discarded books could have sup
piled poor families with their needs. As It was
everyone was compelled to buy books, causing
unnecessary outlay in the state of at least $780,
0O0 Even today thousands of children in the state
are unable to buy books and the schools are being
retarded by bookless pupils Yet the governor as
sumes the responsibility of defending this folly.
In his address the governor took sideslap at
the Journal for its audit of the educational depart
ment He bravey announced that the department
had been properly conducted and said that his adj
mnistration ready to meet all criticisms.
Why did his administration assume the burden of
defending the acts of other administrations? Why
did he assume that everything is all right in the
educational department when he did not know
whether it not?
The governor should have denounced instead OF
defended the present laws governing audits in this
state. He knows that it is impossible, under the
present law. to procure audit Of officials hand
ling public money. often once in ten years.
He must know that laxness and waste result from
such a system. His reasoning processes BATTLE us.
The governor said too much money being |
raised by taxation for the schools. He inferred tina.
the quality of the schools should be lowered in the
interests Of economy. Yet he defended system
which results In the waste of twenty-five per cent
OF the money raised by taxation in the state he
takes little no interest in bringing property which
is escaping its share of the taxes onto the tax
rolls he defends the ncompetency Of the land office
which deprves schools Of possible added funds. |
The Journal would like to be fair to Governor |
Mechem. 1t would like to understand him. We
frankly do not. We will defend and support him
whenever
The notion that the welfare Of the party de-
mands defense of its seems foolish to us.
To admit and correct the mistakes of the past would
bring restored confidence among the people.