Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1921-09-23
THE REACTIONARY FACTION.

The public impression to what part the Jour
nal played the election Of Senator Bursum is not
of any great Importance 1t is vital, however, that
the reactonary group in the party shall not be
able to lead the people to accept the fiction that
the people, by their votes put the stamp Of ap-
proval upon the past record of the party.
In 1911 the reactonaries attempted to elect
Senator Bursum as governor by defending the record
of the old party machine. Mr.. Bursum was de-
feated and that record repudiated. Again in 1916
the same thing again attempted and met with
the same reputation at the hands of the people.
This year the reactonaries attempted the same
thing Senator Bursum had the old strength of the
reactionaries except that Fall and Hawkins and
their satellites either openly against him or
were suIking From the standpoint OF the reac-
tonaries Bursum had less chances for election now
than on either of the two previous occasions when
he had their united support.
In the meantime Senator Bursum had supported
several progressive measures and had rendered
some actual and effective services for the public
He had broken with the Fal-Hawkins crowd of re-
dictionaries and special interests. He had taken
stand upon a progressive platform and had gone
to the people with a program OF service.
Bursum made no effort to defend the past rec
ord Of the state organization. He made campaign
In which he faced the future and pledged himself
to the people Thereby he drew progressive strength
which gave him great victory. He did this with
out the use of the "slush' fund of the past.
II the reactionary group in the party can now
convince Senator Bursum that this election was
vindication Of the reactonary and corrupt methods
Of the past and mandate to go on with similar
methods, the party is doomed. No such thing was
in the public mind
The vote was a vindcation of Senator Bursum
It showed that the people either did not hold him
responsible for what had happened in the past, or
else had faith in his attitude toward the future
reactonary policy now on the part of Senator Bur-
sum- would lose the party this new strength, which
was needed in order to win.
This election has wiped out all old scores against
Senator Bursum. The mandate Of the people -
that they have forgiven or forgotten any past
causes of complaint They have expressed their
confidence in him for the future which he promises
Never again will anything back of 1921 be legitl-
mate charge against Senator Bursums record unless
he should see fit to adopt such reactionary ana
specal-interest attitude show that he prefers
to stand upon the past. The people are ready TO
Judge him from this time forward. He has the
opportunity for a great record. We believe he has
developed into great and will leave great
name when he passes off the stage of human ac-
tvities.
But he will not do so If he listens to the whis-
pers of those reactonaries who will attempt to show
him that the people have put the stamp of appro-
val upon them and their methods. The people ex-
pect Senator Bursum to aid in cleaning up the
party organization until 1t becomes completely re-
sponsive to the public will.
The progressives Of both parties gave Bursum
his majority They have put the republican party
on probation. How it now performs will settle Its
future.
Pride leads us to mlsnterpret. We love to think
that all that have done meets with the approval
OF the public. Such attitude shows weakness
We should analyze failures and prepare to cor
rect them. The defense Of an indefensible past Is
silly Correction is the sensible remedy.
viii the party leaders see this?