Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1921-02-19
TWO POLICIES.

There are two lines of conduct upon which the
newspapers which opposed the election of Governor
Mechem and the present legislative majority diVld-
ed one group, having predicted that the platform
and campaign promises of the republicans would
not be carried out now adopt the policy of hands
off, in the hope that such will be the result ana
that they can then say I'VE told you So"
The other group take the position of helping
Governor Mechem in every possible way to re-
deem his own and his party's promises These
newspapers put the need of reform in the public
service ahead of a vindcation of their course
TO this class the Journal belongs.
We have done and we will do, all that we can
TO give voice to the demands of the public that
action be taken by the legislature upon these i'm
portant questions
The public is demanding an adequate primary
law Governor Mechem is committed to such a pol
icy. There is sincere reason why his party
should not follow his leadership. The Journal
wishes to Governor Mechem win out Can the
politicians defeat him and leave him standing re-
pudated before the people? This can not be done
without strenuous protest from the people
The demand of Governor Mechem that a budget
amendment be enacted seems about to be COM
pied with 1t would appear that this is also true OF
a bipartisan board amendment governing the Iand
office. Public sentiment has apparently done its
work with regard to these provisions although they
are not yet enacted into law.
Whether or not Governor Mechem will be COM
pletely defeated by his party in his program
OF revenue legislation, is very problematic. There IS
an apparent intention in the legislature not 10
comply unless it is made absolutely compulsory
that they do So Whether not the governor has
the power and the force to win out remains to be
seen. 1t seems certain that the democratic mem
bers of the legislature ready to vote for what
he wants in order to redeem his promises.
A curious situation exists. The Journal is sup
porting Governor Mechem in his policies. Members
of his party who profess great personal loyalty
to the governor are the ones who are connving to
defeat his policies and leave him dscredited before
the people. These very same gentlemen are Yell
ing stop thief" at the journal in the hope of di-
verting attention from their own disloyalty to the
governor.
If these men are sincerely for preserving the
dignity and the honor of the governor and the
party they should aid both in the redemption OF
promises made to the people.
The Journal is going to wait a few days more
and then is going to begin to name the individuals
who are obstructing the policy of the governor The
party and the people entitled to know by name
the traitors who betraying their trust.
The journal did not support Governor Mechem
for election because ID believed that he would not
be strong enough to cope with the very Influences
which are now obstructing him. The people chose
him. If we lend strength to his arm by pub
licity in his battle for the peoples interests we
irtend to do so to the limit.
We do not belong to that class among whom
are some of his alleged intimates who wish to see
him fail in his promises to the people.
We leave the reader to judge whether the jour
nal or these obstructioniss is showing the better
faith toward the governor and the people. Lip
loyalty means nothing. Let these gentlemen show
their heart-oyalty to the governor If they do the
state will benefit If they do not, they deliber
atey destroying the governor and the party.