Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1921-07-13
CENTRALIZED GOVERNMENT,

In another column we publish very strong
letter from Ex-Governor Hagerman, president Oh
the Taxpayers association, anent the proposeu
constitutional amendment, fixing a tax limit. Inc
man who wrote this letter is one OF the states
most distinguished men and one of Its most USE
full citizens The Journal deems 1t an honor 10
call him a friend. The people may always ROY
on his good faith
This fact however requires no one to accept
his Judgment as to what is best to be done. Each
of us must conclude for himself what we regard
as sound.
There is much meat in Governor Hagerman's
letter. The Journal may later address itself to
some other phases Of the argument. Just now
we wish to discuss the tendency OF the amend
ment to centralize authority.
The burden of the letter is that the people are
not to be trusted with the management Of their
own affairs. The people of Curry county must be
induced to put the tax limit into the constitution
so as to prevent them from spending their own
money in educating their own children. Some one
in Roswell or Santa Fe must be allowed to pass
Judgment upon what is best for Curry county and
what kind of schools that county shall maintain.
Governor Hagerman pronounces these schools as
too expensive. Doubtless he hopes to make them
less expensive. Doubtless, too, he hopes that an
indifferent state tax commission will share his
Judgment and "sit" the people OF Curry county,
thereby saving them from wasting their own
money.
We cannot share the anxiety OF the Governor in
his fears for the people. A confidence in democ-
racy is fundamental with the Journal We believe
In trusting the people with the management OF
their own local business. We know OF nowhere to
go safely for that wisdom which is superior to that
of the rank and file of the people. The Journal
believes in no ruling class under the law. We are
frank to admit that there is ruling CLASSIFY
moral suasion Nothing be attempted
with safety until we pronounce democracy a fall
and return quite frankly to aristocracy.
New Mexico is cursed with centralized power.
It's affairs have been for years by little CO.
terie of under the plea that the people can
not successfully run their own business With what
this little group has managed affairs Is at
tested by the lack of growth and progress in the
state.
When a direct primary is asked for 1t is re-
fused on the grounds that the people can not act
wisely. So the Invisible Government is allowed to
perpetuate itself to protect the people from them
selves. What joke
Let the people make their mistakes That is
the way learn wisdom in America. If go
wrong we somehow beat back" and the dire fore
bodings of the pessmist never realized In fact.
What the people of New Mexico need is more
freedom of action-not less. They need to learn
how to transact their business by transacting
it-not by allowing else to their
business their trustee
civic righteousness and civic decency instead of to
effort to deprive people Of local sef-govern-
ment
Taxes are squandered in many counties. They
will be squandered until people demand faithful
and honesty from public officials A bureauc-
racy at Santa Fe will be of little help until this
sense of public responsibility is developed.
We convinced that Governor Hagerman
we'll Perhaps the corporations mean well
also. We have charged them with no more evil
intent than desire to hold down their taxes. Our
contention is that the people and not the corpora
tions should decide what taxes are needed
If retrenchment is necessary let us tell the peo-
pie so, morning and night The Journal
thinks it is necessary. We believe every dollar
should be carefully conserved, We must have no
better schools better anything else, than we
afford.
Our safety lies in alert and enlightened citi-
zenry which will decide these matters Alright 1t
does not lie in turning the management of the
peoples business over to the statA-house coterie