Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1921-09-15
THE RESULTS OF REACTION.

Senator Holm o. Bursum announced, just prior
to the republican convention in Santa Fe. that he
would make his campaign upon the text Service
to the People" He has been carrying out that
announcement.
He went step farther in response to popular
demand. and announced that no unscionable use of
money would be made in this campaign; that he
would rely upon the voluntary services of those who
believed in his program. This he has carried out
also His entire campaign fund does not exceed
$12,500 Far less than ten per cent of the sum
used by the republican party last fall will be used
by the party this year.
But Mr. Bursum was far more responsive to
public sentiment than these two forward
looking steps indicated. He put most progressive
plank into his platform He directed the exact
wording of that plank. This is what he said:
mo political party can lag behind the asp-
rations of the people and long survive. We
commit the republican party to policy of
progress. We heartily approve the message of
Governor Mechem to the last legislature
embodying the highest ideals of government
I'VE demand of all officials elected under
the republican banner the greatest efficiency
and integrity and will countenance in
efficiency and corruption in office. Appoint
ees and candidates must up to high
standards of fitness.
I'VE believe in equality Of opportunity;
special privileges under the law in it's adj
minstration, and in the curbing Of the too
strong that they may take no advantage Of the
weak. Honest elections are essential to the
perpetuity of free government
ITO the concrete policies necessary to the
accomplishment of these ends. in honor
bound"
These gestures on the part of Senator Bursum
were entirely satisfactory to the Journal and it
nounced its cordial support OF the senator. They
still satisfactory to the Journal and this paper
Is delighted to support him with all the power pos
sible. 1t advises all good citizens regardless Of
party, to put the stamp of their approval upon this
great step toward progress. by voting and working
for Senator Bursum's election.
The net result of all of the above happenings
was the complete DISCRIMINATION Of the democratic
party. Many delegations went home before the
convention had made a nomination. No candidate
could be found who willing to Judge
Hanna was drafted against his will and announced
his intention of making campaign. 1t looked as
though Senator Bursum would win without a cCn-
test All this was due to the progressive attitude
of Senator Bursum and OF the republican party.
Progressive democrats could nothing to be
gained by attempting to defeat Bursum. Ten days
after the conventions there were no evidences of
democratic activity.
The selection Of o. L. Phillips Bursum's cam
paign manager and of DIR. David R. Boyd as pres-
dent of the Bursum clubs. met with popular APP
prevail. Both are intelligent clean, progressive and
very able men. Both desired a high class cam
paign.
Immediately after the convention certain re-
dictionary newspapers began to make light Of the
progressive attitude of the senator and the party
They heaped ridicule upon the Journal and Its pro-
gressive policy. They sought in every way to dis
turb the effort Of the Journal to lead progressive
citizens have confidence in the sincerity and good
Intentions of Senator Bursum.
The effect Of this reactionary conduct was to
disturb the confidence OF the voters in Senator Bur-
sum- They felt that these reactionaries were voic-
Ing. with authority. the real attitude Of Bur-
This is untrue. The senator found himself
unable to stop these damaging assaults The edi-
tor Of the journal pleaded with the senator and
the chairman to stop newspaper controversy be-
tween the senator's supporters until after election,
because of the harm it would do his campaign.
They did their best and failed. The interest Of
these papers in Bursum's election over-topped
by their malice toward the Journal and hatred
of its anti-special-interests program They delib-
erately aroused public suspicion of Bursum's good
faith in effort to strike at policies.
All this augmented by the executive COM
mttee in organizing campaign committee made
UP of reactionaries and luke-warm progressves.
They determined to snub the progressive wing
OF the Bursum support. Campaign officials who
would be peculiarly offensive to the progressives
were selected. The latter completely shut
out of the councils, ignored and snubbed
For all this Bursum Is in no way responsible.
Bursum stands where he stood in the begin
ming. Those who assert the treatment of the pro-
gressives best voice that resentment by voting
for Bursum. The progressves should elect Bursum
with an overwhelming vote The little reactiona-
ries can be cleaned out afterward.
The result Of all this discord, injected by the
reactionaries in order to bind Bursum, has been to
put life into the democratic campaign. That cam
paign is in full swing with great vigor. What
looked like a walk-away has become contest. For
this the reactionary republicans are to blame. We
believe that they plotted to bring 1t about In our
judgment they are not for Bursum unless they can
control him.
II this foolish and reprehensibe plan should
result in disaster to Bursum, 1t will be great blow
to the business of the state and the program of the
progressves. Bursum is badly needed in the SEN
ate by this state Hawkins. Falls crony. would
become the republican arbiter in New Mexico
through Falls control Of the patronage. This must
not occur.
It will not occur. Bursum will be elected. Pro-
gressives. both republican and democratic. should
to 1t that the majority is large. That is the way
to advance political decency in New Mexico just
now.