New Mexico state record. (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1914-19??, 1921-09-30
A POOR SORT OF JOKE

The Headlight Is most amusing when
it grows serious IN its hypocracy
When it tells about the gunner al
the Demlng polling places, intimidat-
ing voters and staggering around with
automaties IRON their hips, 1t reaches
new heights OF fantastic aDsurdity. We
wonder how the boys OF the local cav
airy troop, who stood all day without
pay as watchers at the request OF the
shcriiIs Office, like to be so designat-
ed? This is not the first time that
the Headlight has shown its animoslty
to the local cavalry troop nor probably
the last. Anything that can't be II
trollcd must be destroyed.
Did these boys try to intimidate any
one; Were they ever other than eour-
tcous in carrying out the duties as
signed to them as watchers: The
Headlight when 1t says: Things have
come to a pretty pass IN Deming, or
in any other part OF New Mexico, when
soldiers must be called into service to
swagger around polling stations with
automatic pistols and put the fear OF
God into voters who are ignorant OF
the reasons OF their presence:
Ii the Headlight really wanted IN
formation on the subject, why didn't
il send its reporter to the sheriff who
places the watchers at the polls and
arms them? The Headlight, OF course,
is striking at the sheriff and at the
commanding officer OF the local mill
tary unit. Such sneaking u~nderhand-
ed methods OF attack will TOOL no one
in and around Deming. Certainly the
local citizens will appreciate no less
the patriotic motives OF the citizen
soldiers and its peace officers for the
cooperation in law enforcement. -.
The Graphic would suggest that, II
the editor Of the Headlight wants an
investigation, he go ahead and investi-
gate, or take whatever steps he thinks
to bring speedy punishment
OF every man responsible.
The attack by Z. X. Vallandingham,
editor OF the Deming Headlight, on
the local unit OF the national guard is
another example OF the hate that is
without direction or reason, but which
finds expression against the uniform
and the interests OF those who do wear
or who have worn it. If there is
any considerable number OF Deming
citizens who are afraid OF these citiz-
en-soldiers staggering around with
automatic pistols swinging from their
wouldn't it be a pretty good idea
to do away with the national guard
unit in the interest OF the timid ones
who are ignorant OF the reason OF
their presence; 1t is to be imagined
that the timid will live in constant
lear Of these lads-mostly young school
boys with a generous mlXture OF vet
OF the world war-when they
really begin To 'swagger' around with
their w. equipment. No doubt con-
terror will reign in and around
the Headlight office. Russia in the
OF the Gar will have nothing
IN Dcming when the boys OF Troop
T. begin to usurp the civil authority
and establish a military city govern
nent.
But the Headlight should not fear, it
call out its old guard, whose won
lerful war record will read like a
,haptcr from the history OF the lost
ribc OF the Children Of Israel and
,ut down these young militarists who
started, even before they have
ecured a gun to intimidate the shrink
ng, modest voters.
Down with the brutal Soldiery!-
)eming Graphic.