Albuquerque morning journal., 1922-02-20
THE PROBLEM.

OF deciding upon sound economic and political
policy for the state. There is no charm attaching
to nationality nor wealth. whatever that nationality
or however great the wealth. which conters upon
any one a sixth sense which will replace educttion'
training, experience or character in deciding ei'ne
public or private problems
We believe in equality of political rights we
favor neither an educational nor property qualfi-
cation for voting in New Mexico. We favor allow
ing each man and woman to cast his vote with What
intelligence and integrity he will.
Such is the constitutional privilege Of every citi-
zen of New Mexico 1t would be idle to favor any
other plan even were it deemed wiser. But, as
matter of fact neither good judgment nor integ-
rity are necessarily IN proportion to either educa-
ton or physical possessions. The unlettered are
sometimes very wise; the rich are sometimes pollu-
cally corrupt
However flteracy is menace in a republic
This fact was recognized in the beginning of our
national life The importance of the problem has
impressed itself increasingly with each passing
decade in America. Where the people rule, ntelii-
gence and integrity In voting are essential to the
safety Of the state.
Our public school system devised early to
meet the problem of intelligence among the voters
Increasingly stringent corrupt-practices acts nave
been enacted in most of the states in an attempt
to solve the latter menace.
Especially where the unettered are segregated
do they present serious problem If they are scat
tered throughout the population, where by exam
pie and advice they may learn from the more
favored the situation is not so serious, 1t Is the
Little italy Little Greece, Little Hungary and the
like of a city which makes that city menace and
keens its government bad. That the inhabitants
are not TO blame for their standards and viewpoint
does not decrease the menace to American inst-
tutons and to good government. The problem Is
there just the same.
Political considerations have prevented the peo-
pie in New Mexico from speaking of her outsand-
ing problem in this regard. except in whispers NO
public man has been developed with the
vision and the courage to bring the whole problem
to the surface and encourage the people to frankly
attempt its solution.
on the contrary, our public men have We'd. quite
generally with each other in effort to take po-
litical advantage of deplorable situation. Corrupt
methods which reflect more the briber than the
''bribee" have been in vogue for years. An effort
has been made to flater, or bribe those to
whom campaign of honest discussion OF their
problems should have been carried.
Whenever the Spanish American has had an
opportunity for education he has shown his capacity
to absorb it and has taken his place as an equal
alongside his Anglo brother His curse, in halt-
dozen counties in New Mexico, has been lack OF
opportunity. Had the educated leaders of third
of a century ago shown any real zeal In behalf OF
these isolated people, the present generation would
average in education and public spirit with the rest
of the people of the nation Be 1t said to the last
Ing disgrace of these leaders that they not only
did not do this but they actually sought the cor
ruption and intimidation of these under-priviieged
people
Today our public school system has found only
a meager beginning in these counties At our pres
emf speed long and slow process of evolution must
go on. Years must elapse before these isolated
people can be brought to the standards OF living
which they as American citizens are entitled to
enjoy.
This problem would not be so serious were the
politicians of their own favorable to the ad-
yancement of their people. Ex-Governor Larrazolo
is the only leader among them who has manifested
such symptoms. Men like Ed Otero and Sec.
Romero take advantage of their leadership ior
personal ends Not only do they fail to lead their
people on to better things, but they seek instead
to retard and minimize education among them and
to keep them in bondage Of fear and superstition
The real enemies of the Spanish speaking peoples
are such so-called leaders. Until they are elmi-
mated somehow, real progress is impossible
Basing their claims to position in state politics
upon their ability to herd the less hterate OF their
people to the polls, these men have gained an
ascendancy in the state to which neither ability nor
character entities them. Knowing that they must
he depended upon TO produce the republican ma
iorties they maintain constant attitude of threat
ening to bolt and compel every state Official 10
come under their domination. This ascendancy is
not used benefit their people. 1t is used to main
tain their personal political fortunes FOR po'h
political and business they do not want
their people to become capable Of taking care
of themselves.
All this results in HARM not only to the Spanish
speaking people, but to the people Of the whole
state. 1t explains backward conditions
YET in the face of this situation the people OF
the state who have been privileged with oppor-
tunities for education and training in citizenship,
allow themselves 10 be divided along party lines.
I3y neutralizng each others votes the door 10 left
open for the balance of power to remain, after
year in the hands of these so-called leaders. Ed
Otero Sec Romero and their kind rule the state
because educated people foolish enough to
allow it.
These men must be shorn of their control over
the affairs of New Mexico They must be driven
back into their own counties. Then, by cam
paign OF intensive education, these people must be
helped TO break their shackles and assert their inde
pendence
The state owes It TO itself and TO these people
TO keep them OF the predicament to which their
isolation committed them. This cannot be done