Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1922-04-29
BUYING VOTES.

The Journal has debated long and hard on the
possibilities of any good coming to the state from
a continuation in power under the present organi-
zation Of the republican party. A good old time
republican said to the other day Il loved my
children, but 1 had to spank them someti mes in
order to make them be good. love the republican
party, but l must help spank it this year to make
it be good"
A large majority of republicans in this state are
natives" large majority of the natives are
republicans These people are kindly home-lovins
and law-abiding. They not crooks and criminals
in a ratio beyond other peoples But they have
lived in New Mexico for four hundred years, far
removed from the civilization of the Americana,
They have built up language, customs and modes Of
life peculiar to themselves. That Spanish civiliZa-
ton exists today in half dozen counties in very
nearly It's original purity, uninfluenccd by Anglo
Saxon institutions
A vast majority of these people are Americans
by birth and loyalty, but they not Amercanzed.
They have viewpoint all their own and it is un-
like that of the rest of America. They have not
American ideals. They do not speak the American
language. Such of them have had chance for
education have taken our ideals and language
readily enough, but most of them have had no such
privilege
These people a pastoral and agricultural peo-
people. Before the Americana came they knew
nothing of written obligations A man gave his
verbal word and it was his binding agreement.
The early Americana introduced much that was
bad and undependable The drinking, gambling,
cheating Americana had a bad effect on many OF
these people Their habits were debauched, their
lands stolen and the people themselves reduced to
a state of economic heplessness. The man who
who blames them for their condition is not stud
ent of the early history of New Mexico.
Bull" Andrews a renegade republican pot-
clan from PENNSYLVANIA introduced the idea of cor
rupting these poor people politically by the use Of
money. Living in poverty, election money came as
a monetary boon to them. At first they were given
a bill and ballot and the purchaser stood by and
saw to it that the ballot into the box. Later
the system was camoufaged by hiring these peo-
pie as political workers." A man with four sons
was paid to get the four boys to the polls. Then
each paid to get the father and three
brothers the polls Thus under the guise of hired
workers their votes purchased. This prac-
tce, with slight interruption, has been continued
to the present time.
1t is reported from reliable that the
republicans expended over 100000 in the state
election of 1918. Approximately 100000 was
spent in 1920.
In an effort to combat this situation the old
reactonary democracy tried to raise money in such
quantities as would be effective. They usually
failed. They did not have the sources Of revenue.
Today among politicians the problem is how
their respective parties raise Internationally
large campaign funds It constitutes the chief topic
of discussion. To do it, the republican leaders
pledge the partys soul to the special interests.
Meanwhile the native vote has been bought and
paid for-the party has felt it owed these people
nothing. Thus the native has sold his brthright
and reduced himself to peonage This statement,
of course does not apply to the group who are edu-
Gated, self-respecting and independent
With this combination of big business supplying
the money with which to buy purchasable vote
decency cannot prevail. Governors are mere tools
and the governorship proves political grave
yard" II governor attempts to break away. he
commits political suicide. Platforms and pledges
are of little consequence Campaign funds become
all-mportant.
Under such conditions how is there hope OF
relief through the republican party? If the special
interests are driven out the party cannot win. II
they stay in, they corrupt every department of the
state government.
The hope of the state apparently lies in pro-
gressive, militant democratic party, which will go
TO the polls with program of reform and service
TO the people That party should let the purchas-
able vote go where it may, Appeal should be made
to intelligent republicans, Americana and native
with program of state betterments including the
elevation of the unlettered native people, and thus
the voluntary help can be had to carry the state.
1t seems apparent that If there is present help
for the internal affairs Of New Mexico it lies in
victory for democratic state ticket under proper
leadership