Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1922-01-31
living WITH EACH OTHER,

We heard a speaker say the other day that the
science Of government in democracy Is the science
Of how best to aid in living with each other sat
isfactorily and in safety. And this speaker was
right There is other excuse for the existence
of government
Man was not made for the government; the gov
eminent was made for man When it ceases to help
us to live with each other is beyond its province
or has ceased to be of to and should be dis
carded.
More than 1OO,OOoOOO of us, of every nation,
every nature and every belief are set down together
in America. We must learn to make the most Of
that situation. We cannot work out all its conflicts
of interest and complex situations by series of
individual agreements the problems arise. Gov
eminent is necessary to help us get on together
great mass of general rules to govern conduct
towards each other, IS necessary. Some one to en-
force our rights under these general rules must be
chosen and the necessary power given him. Some
things of mutual advantage can be done best by
concerted action. So government is instituted
Every one of these 10O,00O,OOO people have
exactly the same rights every other one of them
Every law which will help every individual
equally is a good law. Any law which helps some
persons, without hurting any one else. is permssi
BILE. A law which helps some people, but hurts
others, is a bad law, The government has no right
to help some people at the expense of others,
Our American theory IS that individual liberty
of action and initiative, shall be interfered with
little as possible All that can do for ourselves
we should be permitted compelled, to do. If
any one attempts to do something. in the exercise
of this individual liberty, which conflicts with the
rights of others he should be restrained 1t is un-
fair to allow him to impose upon others merely
because he is capable of doing The law fails
when it does not restrain him.
Government was instituted for the reasons given
above 1t Is not intended that it shall be paternal-
istic. To have the government act as father to
help its children in special ways, sounds all right
But it is all wrong Those who already too
strong as individuals their power to force pa
ternalistic laws for their added benefit The weak,
who should be the ones commanding the solcitude
of the government, too weak to have thei"
prayers to the powers that be, heard and answered
Paternalism is certain to increase the margin of
natural difference between individuals.
Government is instituted to help live together
in justice equality and safety all When it is not
doing this It is failing to function. Let apply
ehis rule to government in New Mexico and see how
glide OF the mark democracy has shot.
Can you name a single state official now in
office who selected by the people because he
had shown himself especially loyal to the basic
theories of government peculiarly representa-
tive of all of the people, unusually endowed with
a passion for common good?
On the contrary a little group of political ma
npulators selected them for reasons which APP
pealed to the selfish purposes of the group No one
gave thought to a single requirement for good
faith officials. Neither will they do this year,
unless an aroused public sentiment takes a hand.
Were the appointees of the state administration
selected with eye single to the public service?
NO! They were selected with eye single to the
welfare of a political machine. The present cover
nor told the writer that the exgencies Of politics
would not permit him TO appoint the man whom he
felt should be appointed, warden of the peni-
Tertiary Politics. not the public service, directed
these selections
Has the Hawking domination in New Mex
leo been for the purpose of serving the people?
Don't laugh, trying to be serious. All know
special interests which employ Hawkins. Hawkins
believes that "big business has a right to control
the government. Probably he is somewhat puzzled
as to just why common folks created at all.
Were the election laws left defective in order to
help the people, in order TO perpetuate the
gang? Has primary law been refused for fear
it will hinder the people in controlling their gov
eminent or because the politicians afraid of it?
We might go on Indefinitely. 1t is enough. Gov
ernments intended to help US live together in
peace, contentment, prosperity and equality. Will
we, this year, to it that we support whichever
party makes itself nearly representative of the
people and the general well being? We very
proftably conclude that party lines shall not hold
US, against the common good
QUESTIONING REpI-TATTONSv