Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1922-03-14
PARTY LABELS AND POLITICAL PURITY

An editor in the southern part of the state de-
votes haf-column to "panning" the editor of the
Journal He accuses this unfortunate individual
of a desire to run" both Cor enter) the republican
and the democratic parties He charges with
sef-rghteous and ho1ier- than-thou criticisms of the
morals of the leaders of both political parties. We
are sorry the article is commonplace to JUS
tify reprinting.
This particular editor was in albuquerque
short time ago and favored the Journal with cali
informed that he had not been in this section
of the state for thirty years. although he has edited
a New Mexico newspaper all of that time. Yet he
processes that knowledge of the INSIDE" of state
affairs which justifies conclusive opinion on the
merits of the Journals contentious. The article ia
question shows that he not only does not know
New Mexcos politics, but reveals the further fact
that he wholly fails to follow the propaganda of
the journal for decent government. The people OF
his portion of the state the worst sufferers from
POLITICAL msrule in New Mexico and yet they do not
now that character of indignant resentment which
would aid In cure. The reason is because of the
utter failure Of such editors the referred
to, to understand the situation themselves and
pass that understanding along to the people.
The Journal does not desire to the affairs
OF either political party. If 1t did 1t would attach
itself whoe-souledly to party the other and
fight for place inside the inner circles of that
party, where questions decided for the public
before the people have a chance to have a voice.
Perhaps such a would be effective.
The Journal has thought not.
For to involve ourselves in the intricacits of
party politics, is to attempt to do by manpula-
ting that which can be done effectively only by
public opinion The Journal is without the wish
to dictate or scheme. Its whole policy is bound
up in the idea of agitating for public sentiment
which will become alert among the people, that
the party leaders will not dare to defy It, When
the parties are responsive to the enlightened will
of fhav villa ca v rid her1s
of many undesirable influences.
We devoting ourselves to attempt TO fix
standards for political organizations in the
We are without the desire to dictate candidates
Suitable candidates will result from high standards
among the people
Because this particular editor who criticises US
is democrat. he can see nothing but good in the
democratic party. In his eyes, 1t has need OF
cleansing itself of any undesirable influences. 1t is
already the acme of purity.
The democratic party has a very great oppor-
tuny just for service to the people of the state
IL it will arouse itself to that opportunity To aid
in making it responsive to the wishes Of the peo-
pie, is only wish.
Just how a newspaper which does not claim To
be regularly democratic and which seeks no part
in the doings within the holy OF holies can be
justly accused of attempting to run the affairs Of
that party, we unable to see. Criticisng cer-
tain designing leaders is our chief offense in the
This will continue to do. The government
of New Mexico belongs to the people, not TO the
politicians. The people want decent, responsive
and just government Some leaders desire only
personal advantage and ACKNOWLEDGMENT. Why be
silly enough to believe that a party label a mans
lapel is q guarantee of political purity?
Every and then editor Shoots ut
full of holes because advocate higher poltica
morals. Let them shoot We the RICH
track. The political ills In New Mexico due
to the attitude OF the politicians who regard public
office as private snap instead of oppor
tunity to serve the people. Until the manipulation
to see that wide-open responsiveness to The
public need is the only permanent route to pot
cal preferment, will pound away
II this critical friend has a real desire to assis
his own people. he will turn his guns on the evil
within his party and demand that they be cleaned
up and the party be made entirely fit to receive
vote of confidence this fall. He will aid In Great
ing condition where the office holders who may
be elected, will have chance to the public
instead OF being hemmed-in by selfish pot
clans to make their efforts failure
Meantime, let those who desire to do so, gC
ahead and advertise the Journal by their criticisms
Through them grow stronger week by week.