Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1922-04-13
THE ORDERLY PROCESSES OF THE LAW.


An evening paper Monday night, in the course
of an editorial defending the action OF Governor
Mechem in sending troops to Gallup, says
political opponents OF the governor, nota-
bly, the publisher of the local morning paper.
hold to the view that the only interest which
has right to be considered in the Gallup strike
development, is that Of the professional union,
organizers who desire to organize the Gallup
mining district and stop the production of coal
there All the other interests concerned at Gall
lup, these persons contend have no option but
to bow to the commands of the professional
organizers"
Thus do the defenders of the governor seek to
attribute the attitude of the Journal to radical
tendencies and to desire to help the strikers and
the "organizers' at Gallup. This smoke screen, 1t
is hoped. will from public view the weakness
of the governors position.
Must we say again that the Journal is "for"
neither capital nor labor nor against either; that
it favors either in the development of every desir
able project which does not unfairly affect others
adversely and against either when it seeks undue
or unconsconabe advantage; that 1t favors square
deal, equality of opportunity and social justice.
Our attitude upon the martial law order made
by Governor Mechem is based upon desire to help
special one in particular and every one in gem
eral We are attempting to maintain the integrity
of constitution and to arouse the public con-
science to rebellion against its invasion by the gov
any one else. We ask our readers to take
the time, If they have not done already to read
our editorial "lead" yesterday entitled. martial
Law Means No Law"
The Journal stands for law and order and for
the orderly processes Of the law Understand US
We stand for both. Not merely for one of them.
The evening paper stands for law and order. Its
goes to the extent of extraordinary. unusual
and ultra-legal advance of precautions against a
threatened breach Of law and order. We stand with
our N not In the
to which they would go to be over-sure of 1t. In
the first editorial the Journal published after the
strike began warned the strikers that breach
of the peace any lawless methods would turn
public sentiment against them and defeat reaching
their detectives.
the law" our evening contemporary is not present
mot II q good angel" thinks his property will be
better safeguarded by avoiding the orderly pro-
cesses Of the law and taking the shortcut of force
We insist upon tho orderly processes. We insist
that II q striking miner commits an illegal act a
warrant shall be issued for his arrest and he
shall be taken into custody and punished
exactly like any other criminal. Any unruly crowds
should be dispersed by the sheriff, with the aid of
posse sworn in by him. II necessary. When ever
time comes that he cannot serve his processes
disperse crowds and the District Court cannot con-
troll their conduct 1t will be time enough to call
out the troops. That is in keeping with the orderly
processes of the law.
Whether do work or do not work is a mat
ter for them to decide. strikers should not be per-
mtted to coerce intimidate those who wish to
work, and the operators and the militia should not
intmidate and harass the strikers.
The Journal is not attempting to help anybody
win the strike. The strike is not unlawful up to
this date. 1t is legal test Of strength between
adversaries As long as the public interest does
not become involved and neither resorts to law
violations. let them fight 1t out. II the public In
terest becomes seriously involved. we will stand
with the public.
We insist that the governor is resorting to
law violation himself in order to aid the operators
Because troops are quicker and remedy for
them, they demand and get troops. in violation OF
every fundamental constitutional guarantee. In
the same spirit mob hangs a criminal as quicker
and surer way of melting out justice.
1t is highly desirable that the property of the
mine owner be abundantly protected and that those
who wish TO work have chance to do so in COM
pete safety Bpt it is Of far greater importance
that constitutional safeguards be kept intact
against the Entertainments of thoughtess de-
signing rulers and that the taxpayers be protected
from the illegal burden of supplying guards for the
mining companies or strikers merely because they
wish 1t done.
The property Of the mine-owner is not a bit
more important to him than lie that Of the home
owner and store-owner of Las Vegas to him. Yet
when firebug started new incendiary fire there
every night, martial law not declared nor
would troops have been supplied If requested. None
the less guards were needed and the sheriff could
not cope with the situation with quickness or GER
tainty. The property compelled to take
hts chances with the orderly processes Of the law
So the rest of us in the exigencies Of life--a
but the mine owners. In anxiety to see prop
erty protected should not forget the deep under
lying principles Of government which are at stake
II these lost the safety OF all, even the mine
owners. will be gone
For instance, with over-zealous friend of
labor in the governors chair he could, acting under
the precedent OF the present illegal procedure send
troops to help the strikers instead of the mine
owners. We must stick to fundamentals and the
y orderly processes of the law