Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1921-06-02
WHOM WE REPRESENT.

The editor Of the Journal is in receipt Of
communication from prominent labor leader in
the state. As the letter is marked personal and
private" we can give no hint to his identity.
Here is part Of what he says:
you have many people guessing as to your
real attitude towards the various opposing
classes in this state. Many think you are an
out-and-out friend of the down trodden while
many others think you are merely trying to
ride two horses going in opposite directions,
/ frankly confess that | am unable to locate
you to my own satisfaction 1t would seem
from most of your positions that you are do
ing what you for the people of the state,
Some things that you write are so far from
what / would consider common justice and
horse that it appears that you could
NOT be striving for universal social and eco
monte righteousness.
IN the recent controversy between the
firemen and the commission you opened the
columns Of the Journal to the firemen, which
was right BY your stand on that question you
made many friends among the laborers"
There is no occasion for anyone to guess as to
our real attitude toward the various opposing
classes in this state" our attitude has been ex-
pressed over and over again. There may be room
for speculation to what position on a specific
question this attitude may lead the Journal to
take but the attitude" is not difficult to define.
we are for equality of opportunity; square
deal no special privileges to any every possible
aid toward the realization of the legitimate ambi-
lions Of each; prompt refusal to go any farther
with any when going further will infringe the
rights Of others
we are unwaverngly in favor OF property rights
because we believe them aid to human happi-
ness When attempt is made to make property
rights superior to human rights, the tail is wag-
gng the dog and the Journal protests.
We believe In American institutions and the
American system of government We are against
radcasm of revolutionary type and are for
progressiveism of an evolutionary type. We for
complete freedom of speech except when il inspires
violence We are probably for or against several
other things but these serve to define the "atti-
tude" of the Journal
we do not attempt ITO ride two horses going
10 opposite directions" Such a change implies an
effort to make both parties to controversy be-
lieve we agree with them. No fair-minded man
viii charge the Journal with lack of frankness
we tell where stand
The Journal rides the horse all of the
time. That horse is named General Welfare. When
special interests seek to impose the public and
eyade taxes unjustly we against them be
cause they seek to harm the general public. In
such a fight Labor rides with us on the horse
General Welfare.
When a few labor leaders seek to convert the
unions from an economic weapon into political
{. weapon and take charge of the local government
we s ride the horse General Welfare The special
interests ride with u.s. perhaps
We have not changed our horse altered
our position in the two cases In both we oppose
class domination.
We invite scrutiny of the Journals record
during the past year in the light Of the above
declaration of attitude. 1t will be found con-
sistent.
CONSISTENCY" as that word has been used in
political circles in New Mexico has meant being
for some political party political leader right OF
wrong. Under that definition we are not consistent
and are not likely to become So
We do not approve the idea of supporting the
candidate whom the voter personally likes and
being against the one he personally dislikes Of
flee is not perquisite to be handed out as a
personal favor; lit is opportunity for service
which should go to the best qualified to render
efficient service to the people.
h We have no enemies to punish and no friends
10 help against public interest We will fight a
man whom we personally like if regard his
attitude to be against the public welfare, and wi
support him when we feel he has changed his
attitude and is for the general good. charge Of
inconsistency will not disturb us, in doing So
II the reader who seeks to understand the at
titude of the Journal win mark 1t down" In hi'
mind that we are for that great unorganized body
Of citizens known as the general public and thai
we decide whom and what we favor or oppose en-
tirely from our opinion of its good or bad effect
on the interests of that general public, he VIII mo-
be puzzled over our attitude.
On one issue the mines may break away ant
be antagonistc to the general public In such