Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1922-01-17
AN UPHILL TASK q.

Defending the present political regime in New
Mexico is an uphill task Why do its defenders not
tell the public of the constructive Accomplishments
of the past twenty years instead OF spending their
energy in calling the Journal an eXaggerator ana
an irresponsible liar. Not that we mind the gentle
impeachment. 1t is mild compared to other Things
the gang has done TO us. But 1t does look to US
as though discussing accomplishments Off there are
anv) would be more convicng than the mere call
ing of names
If there are no accomplishments which these en-
barrassed publicity employees can discuss, we sus-
gest that they grow concrete and specific IN ther
charges of faIsehood against the Journal They
might at least quote the lies and nail them one at
a time with the proofs.
In a general crusade against misfeasance and
n1alfeasance among officials, where every possible
effort is made to wall us off from the real facts, we
are liable to an occasional error 1t would interes'
the public to know about these mistakes. So would
IT. interest the Journal We will confess our mis-
takes Making corrections is part OF the policy
Of this paper. We want people to believe u.s. so we
admit all misstatements This affords these gem
tlcmen chance to keep us busy admitting our own
shortcomings.
When were we careless with the facts? Was it
when we charged that the mines were paying taxes
on value equivalent to their net income, while the
rest OF the people paying on the ad valoren,
or going value of their property?
Was it when we charged that this was the gross
est kind Of favoritism toward special interests?
Was it when we charged that the land office
had from s450,00o to 5000 900 laying in the banks
without interest? land office employe said we lied,
that they had only $125,OO0 Of such money, Yet
shortly afterward the land commissioner turned
over to the state treasurer some $780, 600 of such
money and now admits that he has more than $780,
600 additional hand
Was it when we charged that the gang refused
the people the Australian ballot long possible;
that they made this concession to popular demand
within the past five years and then with law so
defective that no real secrecy surrounds the ballot
Was it when we charged that there genu-
inc Corrupt Practices act in New Mexico under
which crimes against the ballot could be punished
and that this situation created for the delber
ate purpose of making election corruption safe?
Was it when we charged that direct primary
law was denied the people for the sole purpose of
preventing secret expression of the popular will
80 that people who became insubordinate toward
the organization might be known and punished?
Was 1t when We charged that the reign OF the
Tall-Hawklns crowd had been long career Of
legislation and administration in behalf of a few
special interests?
Was it when we said that bank had failed in
Santa Fe holding deposit $4,000 of the states
money contrary to law?
Was it when We charged that the state audito.
not complying with the law and guilty o.
criminal laxness in administration?
Was it when said that the Wagner admin
istration of the department of education was long
reign of extravaganza and poor bookkeeping?
Was it when said that there was a scandal
at the Insane asylum and that no energetic steps
were being taken to correct It?
Was it when said that New Mexico stood
kear the bottom of the list OF states in literacy
and that during territorial days the politicians had
been too selfish TO take steps to correct It?
Was it when charged that public opinion had
been smothered by the ownership of newspapers
by special interests, for that deliberate purpose?
Just when it that lied? Just which OF
our statements exaggeratlon? Please tell us
When these gentlemen have pointed out our mis-
statements in this group Of questions we will supply
them with few more to analyze for the public
Defending the present political regime in New
Mexico is uphill task.