Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1921-08-08
SCANDALOUS.

The probabilities Of success In political campaigns
In New Mexico have invariably been based upon the
size of the campaign fund Admitting what everyone
knows: Namely, that campaign fund is necessary
for reasonable and legitimate expenses we yet find
great cause for complaint. The voter in New Mexcn
has been taught to expect that negitimate money
will be spent freely election day. Therefore the
ignorant and vicious barter their vote to the highest
bidder. Several thousand votes east in this way
in every campaign.
This Is not libel on the character Of the voters
in New Mexico but it is disgrace to those politicians
who have schooled certain element to expect
money In fact, the ignorant have been taught that
their vote is their own to do with they please.
They lead actually to believe that they may
properly sell it if they desire.
Things have come to such a pass that, If there
is an absence of money at the polls, element of
voters stnds around without voting. waiting for the
money to appear.
This situation has been made acute by
the failure to fight out the elections on real cam
paign issues. The voters have little to decide,
rule, and take little patriotic unselfsh interest In
the outcome. Almost every precinct worker must be
paid several times reasonable days wages to enlist
his efforts.
Before the days of the Australian law the bal
lot and the money often folded together and
handed to the voter who kept his ballot in view of
his briber until he deposited it in the box, Now the
is to compel him to ask certain judge of cleo
ton to help him mark lis ballot When the judge
gives the sign that he has voted right" the money
is paid him.
This is the most corrupting Influence in the poit-
zeal life of New Mexico. The voter comes to be I'M
moved by the merits of the election. Political leaders.
seeing the necessity for money. sell their party to
those who can contribute and legislate exemptions
and special privileges as a reward.
For the people of New Mexico to wake up to the
fact that what here stated is true and to develop
a public conscience against such methods which will
longer tolerate it. is the most crying need of the
state With interrupted ballot other ills which be-
set us will be cured with ease But long money
rules the elections, ncompetency. dishonesty and
special privilege will dominate the state.
After the election last fall leading republican
politician said that with $50 600 of money he could
have carried Bernailo county for that party He
probably could have done so. He stated that with
$4,000 in precinct he was able to bring the
Mechem vote up to the Harding vote He probably
spent 81 for every voter in the precinct, perhaps
more,
Newberry was indicted in Michigan for spending
$4,000 in state with than 5000, 900 people
Probably 100000 of these were voters eve guess at
that fgure.) Newberry created scandal with a
thirty cent expenditure per voter. Leonard Woods
committee spent about twenty per voter his
candidacy for the presidential nomination and pro-
duced a national sensation This spent 81 per
voter and his own boasting was all that said
about 1t.
Senator Falls managers three years ago, spent not
less than SIS per voter in this state.
This situation is scandalous Decent government
is impossible until Is broken up Bribery in elections
is the safest pasme in which one can indulge in this
state.
The funds for such wholesale corruption can be |
had only from those who get it back. MANIFOLD, |
in special financial favors The people pay the bill
and get the bad government which they pay for
The politicians to 1t that we have no corrupt
practices act worth the name
Good men and support leaders who en- |
courage these practices Some of them condemn US !
for our refusal to support such
How do we adjust the matter with our consciences
when we openly support in public practice, such |
transactions would think disgracefu In private
life?
How can hope for better conditions in the
state until political issues instead of cash. are the
determining factors7
The man who boosted of corrupting this precinct
thinks himself respectable citizen. Would he like
to hand down to his the inherited title Of cleo
ton briber2
law which would add this man to the list of in
mates at the penitentary the penalty for such
crime would soon make this vicious practice less
respectable.