Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1921-05-16


1t wad frae monte blunder free us,
And foolish notion.
Robert Burns
Would that some power would give the people
of New Mexico the gift to their own state as
it is seen by Walter " Woehlke managing editor
OF Sunset magazine.
In an article captioned 1.-THE New Day in New
Mexico" appearing in the June issue of the period
ca Mr. Woehke pitilessly probes into the political
cancer OF the state.
After reviewing the material progress made by
other western states in recent years, the editor
says
New Mexico was better watered, had a
higher average rainfall than Arizona it had
just as many cattle and sheep its neighbours;
in its boundaries the reclamation service had
two large and flourishing projects, All the ex-
ternal circumstances and factors that kept
pushing Colorado, Arizona Wyoming and
Idaho to the front lined up behind New
Mexico. Why then didn't the state hit
the same gait?
despite it's great potential wealth, de-
spite it's vast undeveloped resources, New
Mexico did not go forward with the procession
because politically the state still lives in the
age of Billy the Kid and the Tweed Ring.
SIN February, 1921, the state had pri-
mary election law, initiative referen-
dunn, no recall, not even the handle of the
weapons with which the other Far Western
states established genuine democracy in their
boundaries years ago."
Analysing further the workings of this SIMS
ter political ring, and particularly the Vaccinations
of it's acknowledged leader Secretary of the In
terror Albert Bacon FALL Mr. Woehke continues:
'1n New Mexico Albert B. Fall politician,
lawyer and rancher now Secretary of the In
terror, took leading part in framing-you can
interpret the word according to your under
standing--the constitution.
Gle made no secret of his leanings. Quite
he
rights of property; according to his conception
of democracy the interests that paid the larg-
est tax bills the railroads, the mine owners
and stockmen, were entitled to the deciding
voice in the affairs Of the government that
spent the money. And the constitution was
based this theory"
So the twelve million acres Of the public do
main received from the federal government on
New Mexico's admission into the union, are pass
ing rapidly into the hands of private owners. The
writer adds:
"But the loss of the state land is minor
matter. With few exceptions every western
state squandered it's birthday present, allowed
its real estate to pass into private hands as
fast as the deeds to the desirable portions
could be written OF far greater Importance to
the welfare and growth of the state is the
agility, the speed and the skill of the average
New Mexican in lodging the payment of just
state and county taxes"
Quoting a New Mexico attorney Mr.. Woehlkc
continues:
Naturally, the small receipts hamper state
and county development Because we've per-
sstently lodged taxes, we haven't been able
to build the roads and bridges ought to
have; haven't enough schools not
undertake any projects for the advancement
of the state and its people because the funds
not available. And because the activities
of the state and of most counties limited
in every direction through our failure to tax
ourselves properly, the majority of the home
seekers pass by even though our land prices
lower and opportunities correspond
ingly greater than those of our neighbors
That's the price pay for under-nourish-
ed political morality"
But Mr. Woehlke does not think that the
states future is hopeless. Bad as he realizes New
Mexicos present situation to be- because of its
unwholesome political system, he equally realizes
that the states natural resources eventually vii!
raise it to its proper level among the great com,
rnonwealhs of the west.
Says Mr.. Woehlke:
Because New Mexico did not keep step
with her neighbors, the opportunities awaiting
the settler throughout the state are proportion
ately greater. Land values in most of the
promising New Mexico districts are still close
to rock bottom; the exploitation of the states
porphyry copper deposits has barely be-
gun itsI coal deposits the most extensive
in the Far West: yet practically of its
water power has been developed. But the dawn
of the new day for the country's oldest settled
portion is at hand"
Day after day. the Journal has pointed out these
political evils and drawbacks of the state Day afte
day have sought to show that neve
make the best of the gifts that nature has show
cred upon when have to labor under tht
handicap of a vicious political system. Day afte
day we have endeavored to stir the people o
New Mexico to a realization of what the politica
bosses were doing to them.
Because of insistence, certain envious con
temporaries-t themselves basking in the sunlight o
the bosses beneficence-have branded a
common scolds" and sehseeking intriguants, try
ing to ride into power by melting the popuac
, against its present rulers They have derisve!
dubbed us 1.-THE Prophet of the Dawn of the New
/ Day
Il we have proudly accepted this title. w
Neheerfully admit that we have repeatedly pointe'