Evening star., 1948-08-26
American Indian Moy Hold
Senate BuIunce Of Power
Now Vote in Arizona and New Mexico,
Where Contests Are Pivotal
The Political Mil
By Goald Lincoln

By GoaId Lincoln
The American Indian may hold the balance
Of power and have q final say Is to which
party. Republican or Democratic, controls the
next Senate. Tor the nrst time the Indians
in New Mexico and Arizona are to be allowed
to vote, and the New Mexico senatorial con-
test may be pivotal. Pat Hurley, former Sec
retary Of War and Ambassador, is the Repub-
ncan candidate against former Secretary OF
Agriculture Clinton P. Anderson, Democrat.
Mr.. Hurley. = candidate for the Senate two
years ago, was defeated by Senator Chavez by
= margin of 1000 votes.
It is estimated there are 10000 Indians Of
voting age in New Mexico. The job is to get
them registered. provided they can meet the
necessary qualifications for voting In the State.
Both the Republican and Democratic organi-
cations are hard ut work lining up as many
Of the Indians as they can.
barred Heretofore.
Indians vote In other States and have done
30 for years. But in Arizona and New Mexico
the State constitutions have been interpreted
In the past as barring them from the fran
chise. The Indians themselves seemed to DO
inclined to keep out of partisan politics. How
ever, since the end Of the Second World War,
4AAaAda4 S4o, CoPCSlu1y hlC yOuASCI CacliCuby
have gone out for their right to vote and now.
under court decisions, they are going to the
polls next November.
The Arizona constitution contains . provi-
sion that persons who are wards of an insti-
tuition may not vote. The Arizona courts held
in 1928 that Indians on reservation were
wards and could not vote The Arizona SUI
preme Court has now reversed this decision.
In New Mexico the State constitution provides
that Indians not taxed could not vote. But
the Federal District Court there has decided
that Indians, even those on reservations, In
enect pay all the taxes imposed except real
estate taxes. permanent injunction has been
issued to the county registrars to compel them
to register Indians who desire to vote. Tho
Attorney General Of the State, 1t ID reported,
Will not appeal the decision of the court.
In the two States there are approximately
100000 Indians, $1,000 in Arizona and 10000 In
New Mexico. They are Navajo and Pueblo
Indians, with the former outnunbering the
latter. Arizona has been for years predomi-
nately Democratic, and the Indian vote Is not
likely to upset party control there this year.
New Mexico, however, presents a different pic
ture.
Hurley Has Advantage.
Gen. Hurley has the advantage of having
eampalgned throughout New Mexico two years
ago. Further in his race for the Senate this
year against Mr.. Anderson he does not face
the same conditions which prevailed in the race
against Senator Chavez. Both he and Mr..
Anderson are "Anglos," the designation given
New Mexicans who are not of Mexican blood.
Senator Chavez had the advantage against Mr..
Hurley OF being = 'native"-and the natives
outnufnber the Angles in the State.
The contest for the Senate is likely to be
close, although If the Dewey Warren ticket
wins 1t does not seem probable that the Demo-
Gratis can emerge with Senate majority. Only
one-third Of the Senate is up for reelection.
However. Is Republican-held Senate seats IN
volved are outside the solid south"-notably
those IN Montana. New Mexico. Colorado and
Rhode Island. The Republicans. however, must
hight hard in Kentucky, West Virginia, Okla.
homar-and perhaps in Minnesota-to retain
Senate seats. Today the political makeup Of
the Senate is 81 Republicans and As Democrats.