Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1921-08-02
VICTORY AND HONOR.

WHY do not Senator Bursum Governor Mechem
and the respectable end of the republican organlza-
ton face the cold, hard facts as revealed in the
party history in New Mexico and bring the whole
story to the surface in supreme effort to profit
by that history and to clean up the party 1t is the
route of sound sense and of common hosesty 1t is
{ the route to political success and honor.
republican cannot be found in the state who
actually feels pride in the party record In TINS
state I'D to this moment Many can be found who
profess to believe that the democrats could do no
better Many feel that the party is as decent as
it can we'll be under existing conditions. Still more
waive the whole matter and accept the party bad
as they know conditions to be- in order to be regu-
lar"
The history Of the republican party in New Mex
leo for twentyf years. is history of corporation
domination and all the incidental evils which go with
such control. Do not shake your head, good repub-
Hcan reader and have the fear that the Journal is
trying to break" the party. We are trying to help
save it and make it worthy of public confidence. We
do not believe in concealment of its shortcomings
and in heterogeneous avowals that we think 1t pure
believe in the good old doctrine Of confession and
repentance and decision to lead better life
&c For many years the railroads were in absolute
control of the party list of prominent party lead
ers was largely roster of local railroad attorneys
and officials What is the good to be accomplished
by denying the facts?
With the coming of statehood Mr.. Fall fell under
the republican party. Every effort at procuring
decent party platforms met with opposition too pow
erful to be overcome few sops were thrown to the
people with little intention of keeping the pledges
made The breaking of platform pledges was the
rule.
At this moment one of the chief grievances
against Senator Bursum, which Mr.. Hawkins talks
about, is that "Bursum was - fool enough to
! concede platform last fall which made it possible
for the Journal to hammer lot of - fool egs-
ation through the legislature"
This statement speaks eloquenty. Mr.. Hawkins is
ncensed that fairly respectable platform
adopted and is outraged that any of its promises
carried out.
Conventions have never been allowed to fairly
and openly convene and consider the public good.
The "irreducible minimum" which political advisers
pronounced necessary to party success Is all that has
been permitted to go through the convention. The
financial over-lords of the party have always fought
in the legislature to prevent redemption of pledges
and as little has been done as was possible without
utter ruin in the future. The party has been
permitted to be responsive to the public need Every
concession has been grudgingy made. A part of the
policy of the ogarchy has been always to close up
the of publicity and to prevent the crystall-
zaton of public opinion
Even late last winter Mr. Hawkins, Mr..
sully and their group of attorneys and lobbyists
could get hearings and could actually write laws af-
fecting the public welfare in way which dis
grace. Those whose paramount duty it was to con-
slider only justice and the public good were soic-
ous of the feelings of these financiers of campaigns
that the public had lifeand-death struggle to get
any legislation through which adversely affected
these interests The history of the party has been
of domination by this of whom Fall has been
the political figure-head.
No republican, who is honest with himself, will
deny this to himself, whatever he may feel that
pediency requires that he say in public. To do so
he There he
the public, but wise do not kid" themselves
Bursum insisted upon sticking to Leonard Wood
at Chicago, in accordance with instructions when
! Fall demanded that he desert to Harding. Bursum
insisted upon some concession to popular demand In
the platform written in September Bursum aided in
poor mine-tax compromise-but compromise
in the legislature which Mr. Hawkins and Mr. sully
did not want For these and other Bursum be-
Il came persona grata with the Fall-Hawkns-Sully
combination. These over-ords of their republican
vassals demanded that Governor Mechem not ap-
point Bursum OF the senate. Because he did it any
way, he also is persona grata.
Following their policy of the past decade two,
these holders Of the party purse-strngs undo
Bursum and Mechem The Journals sympathies are
with Bursum and Mechem as against the financial
bunch. But we decline to grow very enthusiastic
about the matter until we know what these gentle
men going to do about It. If they are to trim and
hedge and attempt to placate, are not especially
interested.
What La Toilette did to the Spooner crowd in
Wisconsin; what A. B. Cummins did to the North
western Burlington crowd in Iowa. what johnson did
to the Southern Pacific crowd in California is what
Bursum and Mechem should do to the Fall-Hawkins-
Sully gang in New Mexico. Party decency dictates 1t
and self-preservation demands it,
Such an issue would set the republicans of the
state fire. Thousands of democrats would join to
help crush the gang that has well nigh ruined New
Mexico.
Bursum stand his record a servant Of
this crowd and bear the burden Of its sins he can
become the honored leader of the rank and file of
the party in its fight for decency and responsiveness
to the public will.
Bursum cannot go back. The crowd has outlawed
him. He cannot stand still without being the cross
fire between the people and the gang He will be
slaughtered by both sides But successful course
is opento openly, frankly and fully join the people
and courageously fight their oppressors. This may |
may not, be Senator Bursums plan. We are not |
informed. We hope it is for it would mean a victor
ous party entitled to the support of the people. 1t is
Bursums route to victory and honor.
BUILDING FOR FAME.