Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1893-01-19

ii"1 biio hSNNSSuiy IA lChcSs lhNy tooh
from their own funds on notes $500.
which was deposited i'll the First National
bank of Santa Fe, and drawn upon to
carry out this work. This was done in
response to the proclamation of the
board. 1t is true the territory did not
expressly or impliedly assume this debt;
but it was no time for the territory
to plead the baby act. 1t is
morally bound for that debt, every cent
of which was expended in and for New
Mexico. l have vouchers here showing
the money paid in the performance OF
this duty. The board relies upon us to
pay this debt. Let us make compari.
son. Some think that as this debt was
assumed without any authority on the
part of the territory, therefore, there is
no public obligation. The burning OF
the capitol is fresh in our memories
Let us suppose that some person had
with his own means, insured that
building before the disaster. Do yor
think the territory would refuse to repay
these premiums? That is exactly the
point. Had these men not responded tc
the call, all our cattle would have beer
tied up and public calamity precipita
ted. 1t was through the advice and in
structions of the governor this call was
made; and the governor said he did not
think any Legislature would refuse to re-
pay the money SO courteously and patrio
tically advanced"
Mr.. Montoya: II am in favor of any
appropriation to pay just account, but
I do not think that any bill should be
passed hurriedly. There are many bills
that have come to my hands in English
which can not understand. This bill has
just come to me and l wish to have time
to examine it, 1 want to have sufficient
reason for my vote"
The chair: "This bill came up, was
read in full, was acted upon, referred to &
committee and made special order"
Mr.. Chaves: 81 am doubtful what Mr.
Barelas intention is. For one, would
like that 100000 should be appropriated
to defray the expenses of sickness among
the poor. The people have got to be
taxed to pay this sum, and we have al
ready too much taxes. These people
now want us to assume $4,000 more.
say now will never agree to the demand
of these cowboys, if l remain alone in that
opinion"
Mr.. Meyers: SIT seems to me that my
colleague does not understand why this
money is asked. This debt was incurred
under law passed by this territory, fol
which the legislature failed to appro
pirate the necessary expenses"
Mr.. Branch asked to see the law.
Mr.. Meyers: 81 win call the gentle
mans attention to chapter 81 of the SEES
sion laws. Other states and territories
quarantine against us on account oil
Texas fever; and under chapter "a, HI. B
102, of the acts of the last legislature, we
formed this board. If it had not beer
done it would have been impossible tc
ship any cattle out Of the territory. II
they advanced money to carry out law
of this territory and to save the people
from disaster, it is only justice that We
should repay them"
A message from the council announc-
ing the passage of various bills was then
received.
Mr.. Meyers then read sections 4 and {
of the act creating the cattle sanitary
board showing that it was absolutely i'm
possible to ship cattle out of the terri
tory until they had been inspected and
identified by brands and ear marks
Mr.. Hopewell: "It is a we'll known
fact that this is just and honest debt
and this Legislature should pay it. They
are here as citizens representing an in
terest that pays fifth of the entire
taxes, which can be proved by the gov.
ernors report and the census. The total
value of property on which the cattle
men paid taxes was over $l2,000,000.
1t was absolutely necessary on account
of the laws of other communities
to ship cattle out of this country without
quarantine. Why do these neighboring
states and congress pass these laws? for
the same reason that New Mexico does.
These cattle men are the only ones who
volunteered that their property should be
specially taxed, and they further exempt
ed the small holders from this tax. Now
these men could not control the elements
and tens of thousands of cattle died last
year. l know that the losses in the herd
in which am interested has been 70 per
cent; and to-day four-ffths of the cattle
men are broken. We had to do some
thing. either move our cattle or let them
die. The railroads were willing to
help; but there was law saying
they should not receive any uninspected
stock, and there was no money in the
cattle sanitary fund. Therefore they re-
sponded to the call of the board; and the
different owners signed notes and got
sufficient money to do this work; and
have vouchers to show for every cent.
As representing one-ffth of the taxes we
ask that this legislature will pay for the
operation of the territorial law. Look at
the matter squarely and see if these men
are entitled to this consideration"
Mr.. Read II want it understood that
I am for this bill with slight change.
desire to ask few questions. Will
Mr.. Barela refer to page of the 9th
report of the sanitary board and explain
to me those figures showing a constant
balance on hand? Mr.. Barela explained
that the item of $129 balance was the
$6,50O."
Mr.. Read also asked if the territorial
treasurer's report did not also show a
balance.
Mr.. Barela: "Yes, sir; on the 9Th of
December; and would like you to show
any balance either on that date or the
date of the subscription if you do not in
clude this $4,000"
Mr.. Read then expressed himself as
satisfied with the figures; and went into
the discussion of the bill, saying he would
favor the bill with the following amend
ment to section 2:
At the end of the section add: "Pro-
vided, that this amount is appropriated
upon condition that the said New Mexico
cattle sanitary board will reimburse the
territory the amount so appropriated as
soon as the funds raised under the law
for the expenses of said board during
the present fiscal year are available for
that purpose"
Mr.. Read continues: "When this board