Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1895-02-02
COL, oHAvEs' CAPITOL SPEECH.

COL. oHAvEs' CAPITOL SPEECH.
Pending consideration of the capitol
rebuilding act in the council on Thursday,
when there was under consideration Mr..
Victory's motion to refer the measure to
the capitol committee and Mr.. Ancheta's
antagonistic motion to refer to the COM
mittee on finance, Senator j. Frank Cha
yes spoke as follows:
"Mr. Presidents In rising to second
the motion to refer the present bill to the
committee on capitol, feel urged to do
so because it is the proper and appro-
pirate committee to which the subject
matter of the bill especiallyrefers. Our
rules provide, among other committees, a
committee on capitol. To that commit
tee most certainly appertain all matters
german to the capitol, its furnishings or
its grounds, and as, in this case, unfor-
tunately, the rebuilding of that important
building. Nor is it under any circum-
stances proper to refer that bill to the
committee on finance, although an appro-
prlation is contemplated and provided
for in the bill, because the subje matter
of reconstructing and rebuilding, the
plans of building, the method to be
adopted and tho manner whereby the
building may be again erected are all
matters which are intimately connected
with the duties of the committee on cap
itol. Besides, sir, should the committee
after fully investigating all matters re-
garding the rebuilding of the capitol,
bo al hok mi
port the bill favorably for the considera-
tion of the council, and find some diff
Guilty in devising the method of obtaining
the necessary funds for that object then
that committee could itself refer that por-
ton of the subject to the committee on
finance; otherwise it would be asserted
that the committee on capitol lacked the
capacity to cope with the subject. Can
there be any valid grounds for such criti-
cism? The gentlemen composing that
committee are the peers of any gentlemen
upon this floor, and it would be manifest
injustice to them to have them suffer such
an imputation.
There are still other reasons: chief
among them are the historical associa-
tions surrounding Santa Fe, mentioned
in this bill as the place where the future
capitol shall be rebuilt, which, although
sentimental, are not to be ignored. 1t
was here where our ancestors, the brave
and gallant sons of CASTLE, planted the
Spanish standards and the religion OF
Rome, making the place the capital of
the new territory captured from the saw
ages. It was here where for number of
years our ancestors struggled against all
odds to maintain themselves, and with
out resources they established govern
ment which they maintained for many
years. 1t was here where, when the In
dams, by coalition combined all the
tribes throughout the country, the gallant
Spaniards struggled with their handful
of men, and defended every inch of the
ground until compelled to abandon the
country, but constantly fighting, took
away their women and children, and their
sick; and the unceasing fighting day and
night, and even for days and nights Of
continuous fighting, they slowly reiterated
to FL Paso. 1t was here where that
grand nobleman, Sebastian De Vargas,
who had obtained permission from the
king of Spain to recover the lost ter
ritory at his own expense, after an inter-
mission of more than twelve years REIN
vaded the territory, and never stopped
on his way until he reached this historic
ground of Santa Fe, after fighting for
months, and was not satisfied until he
had planted the banners of CASTLE upon
the soil of Santa Fe, already consecrated
by the blood of his compatriots, and
reared aloft the cross of the religion of
Rome. What, sir, could be more appro-
pirate than to maintain the seat of gov
eminent here, where De Vargas left the
reconquered country! Every inch of
this soil is enriched by the blood of our
brave ancestors.
Every hill, every rock, every trail re-
mind US of their gallant struggles.
For all these reasons, as we'll as more
material ones, it does appear to me that
no other committee than the capitol
committee should take charge.of this i'm
portant bill, and, through their labors,
revive old and hallowed associations, in
spire patriotism in our bosoms, and per-
feet bill which we shall enact into law
whereby new capitol building shall be
erected, and our descendants shall meet
therein to discuss measures for the pub
lie good of all people of New Mexico,
the descendants in great part of the gal
liant sons of Castillo"
THE APPROPRIATION BILL.
The appropriation bill, framed by the
house finance committee, was yesterday
sent back to the committee for consider
alton and will come up before the house
4ater on for fnal action. The bill pro-
vides for an appropriation of $50.s60,
for interest charges, distributed as fol-
lows: Penitentlary refunding interest
fund, $4,000; capitol interest fund, $l4,-
600; current expense interest fund, ST.
600, provisional indebtedness interest
fund; $4,000; capitol contingent interest
fund, $4,000; insane asylum bond interest
fund, $500; refunding bond interest,
$4,000.
For penitentiary current expense fund,
including pay of officers and employees
and maintenance, repairs and incidental
expenses, $80,910. Other OUTLAWS are to