Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1895-01-05

tn in the west. After calling attep-
ton to the catering prospects for state
hood, Governor Thornton says that no
intern perate legislation should be en-
acted with the possible result that it
shall prejudice the bright chances for
the passage of our enabling act. New
Mexico has too often thrown away OPP.
portunities in the past and the experience
of former days thus lends weight to the
governors warning as to the present and
immediate future. Following close upon
these are very timely suggestions as
to the alteration of the present law in
reference to the compensation Of
assessors; modification of the change
of-venue law; and the repeal of the statute
giving to justices of the peace the right
to issue writs of habeas corpus. The
first Of these changes is demanded by
the folly of allowing compensation
for collections to be based upon the
value of property assessed rather than
upon the amount of taxes collected.
The fee system is bad enough at best.
Such system founded upon basis as
unjust to the public as that above cited
is nothing short of intolerable, The
change of venue law, as the governor
suggests, is an avenue of escape through
which criminals are not slow to take their
willing way. 1t should be promptly re-
pealed. 1t is condemned alike on ac-
count of its iniquitous operation and Its
equally Ubiquitous putative authorship.
The third modification suggested, which
effects tho issuance of writs of habeas
corpus, is sufficiently demanded in the
fact that the present law is squarely i'll
the teeth of constitutional provisions.
The high terms in which the governor
refers to the condition of the various
territorial institutions is thoroughly de-
served in every respect in view of the
rare Judgment and ability which has of
late characterized the management of
these institutions. The governors COM
ments upon financial matters are also
worthy of special notice. His suggestion
that the Pueblos be educated in our pub
lie schools under an arrangement for
pensation to be made with the gen
eral government is an idea of great prac-
tical value, especially in view of its being
founded upon assurances already re-
ceived from the interior department that
the government would enter into such an
agreement. The suggestions touching
the payment of militia warrants are upon
a subject that is sure 70 be more or
less matter of debate during the present
session, as are also the comments on tho
present need of prom pter and more regu-
lar sessions of court and the means of
that end.
There are numerous other features of
the message which deserve emphasis in
view of their importance and timeliness
and it shall be the purpose of the NEW
MEXICAN to present from time to time
the reasons which SO loudly demand the
changes insisted upon. As a matter of
Information the message should be care
fully considered and studied by our peo-
pie at large. AS matter of fidelity to
those they represent, our legislators
are promptly shaped into laws. With
hese results attained, the time and labor
involved in the preparation of this, his
irst legislative communication will have
been indeed we'll spent by New Mexlco's
,hief executive.