Albuquerque morning journal., 1921-03-17
HAS THE JOURNAL BEEN CONSISTENT?

We hear the echo of many debates to the con-
sistency the which the Journal has pursued
during the past year. A few words in review may not
be amiss.
Before beginning this review allow to state
that the Journal had three ends in view in the be-
ginning. First desired to create organized
public opinion in favor of civic righteousness. Sec
ond wished to remind the professional politicians
who had forgotten it. that they subject to and
dependent upon public opinion. Third, wished
the enactment Of certain legislation whcih would put
New Mexico among the progressive states and stop
certain vicious practices May we add that we wish
ed to save. not to destroy the republican party, by
making it worthy of public confidence through self
publication.
Last May we declared for a certain program of
reforms For nearly year we have agitated for
them in and out of All but one of the
things for which we argued enacted into legis-
ation in a more less satisfactory form by the
legislature which has just adjourned
In the beginning of agitation had one
around whom could focalize the sentiment we
were creating, in order give it concrete direction.
Governor Larrazolo declared for our reforms. NO
one else would announce himself candidate upon
such platform Thereupon supported Governor
Larrazoo for nomination and gathered around
him all the strength that could.
The primary purpose of this support not,
as we announced over and again during the
re-conventon campaign, to re-nomnate Governor
IarraZoo, hut rather to give cohesion to propa
ganda. We left the issue of his nomination to solve
itself The journal expected his denomination.
But wanted him, with his program, to be as
strong as possible in the convention.
In order to defeat Larrazolo and yet have the
party left intact it necessary to adopt substan
TALLY the Journals platform into the republican
platform.
In the meantime the democratic party, in re-
sponse to public sentiment, had included pro-
gram in its platform at Las Vegas
We We're undeceived by these concessions. We
well knew that the politicians were against the re-
publican platform and had written it as thing upon
which to get into office. We that endless
amount of agitation must precede the forming of
conviction among politicians that the platform must
be converted into laws.
Governor Mechems nomination not person
ally Objectionable to the Journal However, we saw
at once that it was not to be his policy to quarrel
with the politicians of his party. But knew we'll
enough that, either he must quarrel with them or
we must awaken them to the need of progressive
legislation in the state. To leave the politicians un
disturbed would that Governor Mechems
hands would be tied by them. The Journal saw that
fight must be made to arouse public sentiment to
point where it would coerce action.
However early made to know that a
fight against the reactionary organization in
publican party would be construed a double
crossing of Mechem. As Mechem would not, or
could not force the politicians, felt that the
Journal must get where it had freedom of action
in its criticisms of the past.
Therefore, supported the state democratic tick
ct Throughout the campaign could crtcise and
attack with the utmost freedom In desperation the
organization managers permitted Mr. Mechem to put
the party record for the redemption of its pledges
The way in which Senator Harding led the state |
ticket by $500 votes. gave awful jar to the or
ganization.
After Governor Mechems election continued |
to make sentiment for the redemption of party
pledges. After the governor assumed office. we
began with the utmost energy, to bring pressure to
bear, through public opinion, to force the party
redeem it's promises Even then it required unbe-
lievably hard pounding to force action.
Governor Mechem must be fully aware that but
for the agitation of the Journal with the consequent
public sentiment, he could never have secured action
from the egsature-especially the House.
From beginning to end pursued course |
and zone policy. We had in mind but objective. |
That end stayed with to the finish We were
consistent
In the announcement of policy by the present |
management Of the Journal we said this paper would
be independent with republican tendencies--a tend |
ency which could be overcome by circumstances A
smile of unbeief met this declaration in many quar-
ters. Probably we have convinced the most skep-
tical. We adhere to that declaration