Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1921-08-23
A FACT, NOT A THEORY.

The Journal is in receipt of a couple of letters
which chde us for "precipate" action in decid-
ing to support Senator Bursum for election
.ator.
Our decision "precpitate" only to the extent
that we held decision in allegiance until we could
learn definitely Senator Bursum's present state
mind on public questions. We have known for weeks
that would support him under certain conditions.
What those conditions we have repeatedly told
readers We have also told the conditions under
which would not support him.
The conditions prescribed for support were
satisfactorily developed. We certain that time
will prove that following the course which
will most rapidly bring peace prosperity and freedom
from oppression, to the people of New Mexico
If were of the opposite opinion would not
support Bursum. We for the people We
against the political conditions which have prevail
ed in the republican party in the last decade two
The Journal is determined to do its part according
to its lights to change those conditions freedom
of speech and action about conditions in New Mex
leo is unmpaired Until the present management of
the Journal took charge, the Journal closed to
all complaints with conditions. 1t is wide open.
We will protect from criticism for any wrong
public act That includes Senator Bursum. Yet we
believe he should be elected and will persisently
tell our readers why think So If, in the light of
the facts, the public thinks otherwise will bow to
the popular decision with good grace.
This is not year when state policies before
the people, except incidentally. Governor Mechern
and his associates, have fourteen months to make
record before they the people for vndicaton
1t remains to be what that record will be- Our
attitude toward them is reserved, awaiting that time
Nothing the people can do now will change the state
officers. The only way state issues involved is in
the question of whether the state will be benefited
most by discrediting Bursum in making him
predominant in his party.
The Journal has felt that the local for
Busums defeat must be very strong indeed to justify
the in sending democrat to the senate at this
time By defeating him would defeat all prospects
of any national legislation helpful to New Mexico
To sacrifice these prospects would be serious indeed
The local problem is practical. not theoretical
Bursum is the nominee of his party No other re-
publican can be elected 1t is either Bursum or
a democrat. The Journal believes that party nomi-
for high office should have clean public records
We must take the facts as we find them If we are
to achieve practical results. The Journal did not NOM
mate Senator Bursun 1t faced the cold act that he
is the nominee The voter, too must face that fact
To defeat Bursum democrat in the seat
he now occupies. With two democrats in the senate
the control appointments in New Mexico will
lass to Secretary Fall. The old Fall-Hawkns COM
bine will rebuild its broken machine in New Mexico
This machine was your great oppressor. Bursum was
only spoke in 1t, although prominent it Is
true. We know positively that Bursum was never as
plant tool many people think. Every and
then he broke away and insisted upon progress
sve thing--such for instance the Australian ballot
law. the child welfare bill and the three-year- aver
age mine tax law. Fall and Hawkins trusted
Bursum although they worked with him.
We have bitterly condemned of Senator
Bursums public acts II he renews them will
condemn him again. He has strings the Jour
nal We ask of him only that he his great
ability and political strength to help the people.
Bursum has broken with the leaders of the old
We confess that his alienation from the lesser
cogs of the old poitcal-financial olgarchy is not
complete. With that leadership broken, the remedy
will follow we believe.
Bursum can be far more valuable to the people
than leadership would be, if he will but catch
the vision of his opportunity We believe that he
sees this.
Bursum has played no politics of consequence in
New Mexico in four months. He has depended upon
his record in the senate to nominate and elect him.
This should command public approval. We have con-
demned and do condemn his appointment of
Romero marshal. 1t done in accordance with
an old promise. We knew Bursum would keep this
promise If he could. The stir the Journal made was
to make such appointments unwise in the future.
We believe succeeded To defeat Bursum be-
cause of the Romero appointment would be to turn
the republican machine over to Fall who made the
Elfego Baca appointment, which was far worse than
the Romero choice.
Bursum, by act and word, now promises a career
OF service Mems political ideals change Bursum has
committed his party to policy of progress. Bursum
promises to be United States senator and not to in
terfere with the efforts Of the progressive element
home to crystalline public opinion favorable re-
form. We regard these specific promises good
With such promises and the great need of a re-
publican senator in republican administration, we
support him heartily.
Those who feel that thereby desert the fight
we have begun, fail to tactics We believe
we are doing the wise thing for the people. If the
progressves will now help Bursum they will create
obligation on his part to them. To fight him now
leaves the progressives his political enemies to be
punished instead of his political allies to be
warded by assistance in achieving the reforms they
desire. ~