Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1922-02-02
HIS MASTERS VOICE.

The general paralysis Of the state administration
is becoming almost alarming From the governor
on down the list, with only here and there an ex-
ception, officials seem incapable Of functoning in
telligently.
state treasurer deposits large sums Of the pub
lie monies in bank, in defiance of the law, The
bank has become defunct. His guilt is ndisputabe,
yet he continues to handle some three million dol
lars of the peoples money
The president of the board at the Insane Asylum
manipulated the whiskey bought for medicinal pur-
poses at that institution in most suspicious and
discredtable fashion He sold the asylum goods in
amounts above $500 per month, under the title of
'sundries" in an effort at a technical compliance
with statute which forbade him to contract for
supplies. He allowed the institution to buy trac-
tor belonging himself at secondhand price in
excess Of 81 600. and which cost him when new,
little more than $1,000. He rented" a truck be-
longing to the state to himself for which he paid
$4,000 rent During the same period the state paid
out hauling charges in excess Of $500 because its
truck was not available. This man is still president
Of the board
The Barelas bridge, south of Albuquerque, began
repairs last March which are at a standstill. Even
with energy these repairs cannot be completed
within three months from the present time. Almost
a year has elapsed since the starting of a piece of
work which should have been done in four months
Thousands of dollars of the peoples money has been
wasted. High water is bound to carry away the
temporary bridge long before the repairs the old
bridge are completed, The incapacity of the high
way engineer is appalling. whole community is
most seriously disconnected by this incompetent
official.
A state auditor has failed almost completely to
obey the law in administering his office. He
fesses it, but stays in office.
The administration of the office OF the State
Travelling Auditor is a grim farce.
Disquietng rumors concerning other state de-
partments afoat.
In the midst of It all the governor sits inert He
is completely robbed of any capacity to act with
any decision energy. And his inertia is conta-
glous The people confronted with added
year of such paralysis.
The governor spends his time devising ways and
means Of shifting his responsibility. Appointing
boards and commissions which take no oath of
office and have legal responsibility is his obses
sion and chief pastime. His latest commission is
to investigate the shortcomings of the Finance
Board of which the governor is a member. The
governor wants company, his commission is
TO investigate the record for years back. lie
wants Ex-Governor Lindsey and Larrazola in the
boat with him. hoping thus to be less conspicuous
perhaps
Why appoint a board? Does he need to be told
that he has failed almost wholly to act in this i'm
portant respect required by law? or does he
wish to have these gentlemen convince the public
that he is worse than his predecessors?
Governor Mechem is not man of evil purposes
His instincts good. But he is surrounded by
as gay bunch of political pirates as ever scuttled
a ship of state. whichever way he attempts to
step in the performance of official duty he puts
his foot on the corn of friend who supported
him and ought not to be treated that way" The
whole crew echoes fought not" Not wishing to
harm his friends and supporters" the governor
stands still
Mechem cannot endure the charge of disoyaly
to his friends. His oath Of office not complain
Of his disloyalty to it, but the politicians make
life burden He takes the easy
1t is utterly hopeless to expect decent govern
ment as long this gang holds sway, Any who
receives a nomination at their hands will yield to
them, life will be uncomfortable.
Before the people can hope for relief this crowd
must be discredited Promises idle. They allow
no man whom they control, to keep any promises to
the public.
People thought Judge Mechem good and
so elected him governor, He is a good man. When
the journal deserted him two weeks after his nomi-
nation, because saw he too weak to cope
with the gang, we were criticized. Every one sees
it now. After his election tried to support him
in his good intentions. He struggled for a few days
and then yielded up the ghost Since then he has
been tractable for the gang.
How can the people hope to permit this crowd to
select and elect a governor and then to have him
do otherwise than the bidding Of the gang? When
will the people "set wise?