Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1921-05-28
STANDARDS OF FITNESS.

A friend of Senator Bursum suggests to the
Journal that may embarrass the senator by
its comments anent Secundino Romero, idol" of
San Miguel. That suggestion leads to define our
position somewhat further.
The Journal has a tendency to lean toward
the republican party To follow that inclination it
will overlook many minor matters with which ii
fails to agree But it will not overlook matters of
vital public Importance ignore the welfare Of
the people of the state in order to support Senator
Bursum any one else.
We are not now threatening that we will not
support Senator Bursum if he assists Mr.. Romero
into the United States marshals office. Perhaps we
would support him in spite of that blunder, but it
would be done only in the event that the demo-
Gratis nominated some who gave better
chance. AS between two evils, we would choose
which we deemed the lesser.
The journal likes Senator Bursum personally
We regretted deeply that we were unable to sup
port his candidate last fall. We will regret it still
deeply if the senator makes it impossible
for to support him in September.
We regarded his appointment to the senator
ship by Governor Mechem logical and in
evitable. He entitled to chance to make
good according to the Journals estimate of the
situation. All criticisms of him last fall had
a string to them. We believed then, and be-
lieve now, that his ability and acquaintance make
him of immense potential usefulness to New Mex
ico if he wishes to the people. If he does
not to the people that same ability and
acquaintance make him correspondingly danger
Gus.
What we trying to ascertain is whether or
not Senator Bursum has decided to put the public
service above what he may regard to be party
expedency. Our decision upon that point will de-
termine our Neither affection nor malice
will have the slightest thing to do with the course
taken by the journal. .
1t seems to us that the marshalship affords
fair test If senator's intentions toward the
public service. We cannot conceive of Senator Bur-
sums contending for minute that Romero is
the best equipped in the party for this
appointment. If Romero is equipped there is no
reason why he should not be appointed if such a
course is deemed politically expedent. If the
senator or any friend of his will assert his
signature that Romero is decently fitted for
this position, such assertion will change the
issue. We invite from anyone a defense of Ro-
meros qualifications He will then proceed to show
in detail, why this is wholly unfit that
his appointment would be disgrace and a source
of scandal.
Assuming then, until respectable citizen
comes to his rescue, that the Hon. Sec. is en-
trely unfit ask only why he should be con-
sdered for the appointment? The must be,
political eXpedency."
We insist that this appointment is not expedient
lit is political suicide. All the republican factors
plus the Journal support. could not elect Bursum
after this appointment is made upon Bursum's
recommendation. The people of the state simply
will not endure it, Senator Bursum may be elected
without Romero but he will be with such 4
milestone this appointment around his neck.
But expedency is for such ap
pontment Good conscience demands certain
standard of ability and character in appointees
to office. In choosing between candidates pos
sessng these qualifications it proper to be gov
erned by expediency To ignore these qualifications
in making selection is a betrayal of the people. |
Romero possesses personal qualifications for
this position. Therefore his appointment would be
betrayal of the people. The Journal not
support Senator Bursum in any such course.
If Bursum is for the public welfare from this
time forward, this situation offers a splendid
chance for him to prove it. Perhaps he will. We
hope
So the question is not merely Romero or anti |
Romero. It is the question Of Bursum's loyalty
disloyalty to the public interest.
Our decision of the will follow in |
September awaits our opinion upon that question. |
The Journal wishes to control appointments
either hereafter. 1t does propose to
voice for the people the demand for decent |
standard of ability and integrity in selecting men
for office. Anyone meeting such a standard will
suit the Journal. If public sentiment can fix the |
standard and force its recognition in the appoint
ments, the politicians do harm in picking |
the man. 1t is for the standard that we contend.