Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1921-12-07
THE TAXPAYERS ASSOCIATION.

The annual meeting of the Taxpayers Assoca.
ton on Monday was great success The attend
ance was not large but the spirit Of the occasion
the very best A taxpayers association never
makes the popular appeal which it should make
The governmental problems facing such organi-
zaton to intricate and battling for the average
person to make the effort to understand.
Nevertheless, the existence of such an organjza-
ton, especially under the guidance of stawart
a personality that of Governor Hagerman is of
of far-reaching importance to the people. Any who
will take the pains to trace the history of this or
ganization through It's life of six years will be i'm
pressed with the fact that it has pioneered the way
in all Of the legislation looking toward economy
and efficiency in public administration in New
Mexico.
There those who predicted that the
citation would go "on the rocks at this meeting.
owing to it's activity last fall and winter in the
mine-tax agitation Much OF the financial support
of the association had from those who wer?
adversely affected by the courageous course which
Governor Hagerman president of the association
took as chairman of the Special Revenue Commits
sion. The legislative appropriation for the COM
mission inadequate and the Taxpayers Associa-
ton had contributed the deficiency, amounting to
some 81 900. Thus the money of the concerns of
Mr.. Hawkins and Mr.. Sully used and a report
adverse to them resulted. Mr. Hawkins would not
stand this and withdrew. but Mr.. Suy the
admiration of everyone by accepting the result and
continuing his membership. 1t is evident that NJ.
sully did not ask that his contribution should buy
a favorable decision.
The Journal has had great deal to say in
criticism of John NJ. Sully. We have always pro-
nounced him q good business man and neghbor.
and have confined attacks to what we conceived
to be his effort to procure special favors and eX
emptons His present attitude seems to be that OF
helping to solve the problems in New Mexico.
From his standpoint he doubtless still feels himself
entitled to privileges and immuntes which the
Journal can not concede but we believe that he
has ceased to go along with the crowd who sought
the undoing of the people and the grabbing of UNI
considerable advantage, If this proves to be true
the antagonism of the Journal to Mr. Suy will be
at an end. There has been nothing personal in it
Those of our readers who may feel that tn
Journal delights in criticisms and antagonsms fail
to understand u.s. Personal hostilties distress
ing. We much prefer not to anger men and women
We never indulge such methods frivoously, or for
pastime But when judgment tells us that the
public welfare demands fight to disodge some
one from position of unfair advantage or to COM
pei the correction of public evil, we hope for the
courage to strike, regardless of consequences.
At the meeting Monday there was no cvldenc
of seeking any advantage. Every subject discussed
and every opinion expressed of much inn
portance to the small taxpayer as the large
In its effort to secure large and representa- !
tive membership the association should succeed
It has a. mission Of vital importance to the people
The Journal feels that it should command public
confidence.