Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1892-12-28

THE M ESSAGE
The legislative council and house met
in their respective chambers at 10 this
morning. After the reading and approval
of the minutes the council repaired to the
house and organized in joint session,
President Chaves presiding, to hear the
governors message.
Councilman Hubbell moved the ap-
poihtment of a joint committee to wait
on the governor and escort him to the
chamber. Messrs. Hubbell, Burns and
Hall, and Messrs. Hopewell, Barela and
Read performed this duty. The governor
began the reading of his message at 1910.
1t is as follows:
EXECUTIVE OFFICE.
Territory of New Mexico
Santa Fe, Dec. 27, 1892.
Gentlemen OF the Council and House of Repre-
sentatives
With thankfulness for the prosperity
of the territory during the period since
the last legislative session. and with high
hopes for the advancement of New Mex
leo in the future, l meet the council and
house of representatives of the 5Oth legis-
lative assembly with much qualification,
trusting that all your deliberations and
acts may rebound to the advantage of the
g Ill a, .,,1
servants.
This Legislature is in many respects ex-
ceptionally important. 1t meets at a
critical period in our history. The ques-
tion Of the admission of New Mexico to
the sisterhood of states is at this very
time pending in congress, an enabling
act having passed one house and being
under consideration in the other. The
eyes of the country are therefore espe-
cially upon US and every event here is
the subject of remark and Of criticism.
Those who are opposed to our admission
will scan very closely the proceedings of
this legislative body, and will be only
too glad to discover mistakes and to ex-
aggerate any act which can be construed
unfavorably.
But apart from this, many important
subjects demand attention. We are at
a turning point in the career of New
Mexico. 1t is more than probable that
this will be the last territorial Legislature.
The foundation of the new state will have
to rest on the basis which you prepare.
The position which you hold, therefore,
while one of high responsibility, is also
of rare dignity and honor. To be chosen
us a law maker for his fellowmen is the
most exalted honor which can be confer
red upon human being.
The position brings a power for good
or evil which is almost appalling. The
happiness or the suffering of thousands is
contided to the wisdom and the integrity
of the selectedfew What field Is thus pre-
sented for the exercise of the noblest
ambition which finds its qualification in
bringing blessings to the homes of the
people! And what room for future re-
grets over neglected opportunities, if one
does not fulfill his trust to the uttermost!
beg to draw your attention to the
SHORTNESS OF THE SESSION
and the necessity of great industry in the
performance of the public business, if it is
to be satisfactorily concluded. The legis-
lature is limited to sixty days, and when
the Sundays and holidays which occur
during that period are deducted, the time
is still more restricted. So many sub
jects will necessarily be considered, that
at best there is danger of hasty and ill-di-
gested legislation.
In view of the importance of your
legitimate work, let me express the hope
that time will not be wasted in personal
and political discussions. If these must
be INDUCED in, let it be after the
session is concluded. And let me also beg
that you will not postpone the most i'm
portant legislation to the end of the sixty
days. This is always dangerous and
often disastrous. The measures which
should have most serious consideration
are then passed in crude shape for lack
of time to perfect them, and remain in the
statute book only to create confusion and
vex the people with needless litigation.
At the last session, the appropriation
bill, the passage of which was necessary
for the support of the government, was
delayed until the last day, and finally
passed long after midnight, with no OPP
portunity for members to know its CON
tents, and in such a condition that the
secretary found it necessary to print it in
two distinct forms; and its real intention
was only judicially settled a few months
ago. 1t came to the governor for his APP
proval, together with an other bill of al
m ri yub h11