Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1894-12-08
AMONG THE OFFICIALS.
Imperative Missions Call Away Both
the Governor and Secretary
Tax Payers Praising
Judge Freeman.

Judge freeman.
The absence Of Governor Thornton in
Washington on public business and the
departure of Secretary Miller to Missouri
last night on account of the illness of his
mother, serve to call attention to the
fact that there is no provision in law for
any other officer to assume the response
bilities Of territorial executive in such an
emergency. Solicitor General Bartlett
was asked about it to-day and he said:
"The law makes no provision for any
one to act in the absence of these two
officers. OF course, there is no one to
blame in the matter, both of the officials
being absent on missions that may be
considered imperative"
The situation, however, is not in the
least embarrassing. There is peace in
New Mexico and "the government at
Washington still lives"
The nearest that New Mexico ever
came to experiencing similar state of
official affairs was under Gov. Princes
administration when occurred the death
of Secretary B. NJ. Thomas. When that
unfortunate event occurred Gov. Prince
was in New York and could not return
for some days thereafter, thus leaving The
executive branch of the territory in much
the same condition as now.
Gov. Thornton has reached Washington
and will not return until his important
mission of state is fulfilled, which will be
| about the 25th inst. Secretary Miller
will be back IN five days.
| Meanwhile Mr.. John P. Victory, Secre-
tary Miler's assistant, is keeping up with
the routine of the executive department
and is guarding with jealous care the
great seal of our territory.
JUDGE EREEMAN's POSITION.
The recent decision of the supreme
court in the county bond question is
quite feather in Judge A. A. Freeman's
Judicial cap. In the case of Coler vs..
Santa Fe county, decided August IL, 1891,
when the question of the validity of
these bonds WAS considered, the majority
of the New Mexico supreme court, as then
constituted, sustained the bond issue,
Judge McFie writing the opinion of the
court in which all concurred save udge
Freeman. That gentleman dissented
from the opinion of his brethren, hold
ing that the bonds were illegal on pre-
cisely the grounds taken by the supreme
court in their decision in the case of
Lewis vs.. Pima county just decided !;
declaring that the legislature had no
power to authorize the issuance of bonds
e. kka ~
people will begin to see that they would
not have been compelled to wait till this
day to find how they stood toward the
bondholders in this matter, had the opin-
ion of Judge Freeman been adopted by
the court, and the tax payers would have
enjoyed many slghs of relief ere this,
upon being apprised that the burden was
a bets noir only in contemplation not
strictly of supreme court strength. The
NEW MEXICAN congratulates Judge Free
man that he is thus approved by the
highest authority Of the land and VIZ have
no doubt that he takes great comfort
unto himself that he is thus upheld and
stands in such honorable company.
PROPOSED LEGISLATION.
In response to the Las Vegas Optics
query Hon. John P. Victory writes that
paper as follows:
In reply to your postal card, this Morn
ing received, would say that in my hum
BILE opinion the most needed legislation,
that 81 ould be enacted at the session of
the legislature, in Santa Fe, this winter,
is as follows:
Such legislation as will hereafter per-
nit our district courts to hold their
terms until the entire business on their
docket is disposed of.
The adoption of the code practice in
our territory, in place of the cumber-
some, dilatory and expensive commo on
law system now in vogue. "f'
Such laws as will guarantee an equit-
able and just valuation upon all pro-
perty, real or personal, liable to taxation,
and the prompt endorsements of the pay
ment OF all taxes within the time requir-
ed by law. ..ot
And all other legislation that may be
for the best interest and welfare of the
whole people of the territory of New
Mexico. ,.
The change of venue law should be
repealed at the earliest moment.
Very Respectfully, ....
JNo. r. y1croHy.
NEEDED LEa1sLATIoN.
In response to a card of inquiry from
the Las Vegas Optic Solicitor General
Bartlett writes that paper: