Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1897-01-23
INDEBTEDNESS TO THE MILITIA.

INDEBTEDNESS TO THE MILITIA.
also desire to call your attention, as 1
did that Of the last legislature to the con-
dition of the indebtedness due from the ter
ritory to this organization. Upon two occa-
sions in the recent past, the militia of the
territory has been called into the field by
the governor to suppress Indian out
breaks and maintain order, and has per-
formed very efficient work in hunting
down and driving from the territory noted
criminals, aided in the enforcement of the
law and in the protection of our defense
less citizens from savage raids. Upon
each occasion they performed this SER
vice, knowing that there was no appro-
priation made to pay their expenses, re-
lying upon the patriotism of our people
and the liberality of the Legislature to
make appropriations to recompense
them for their outlay while in the per-
Torrance of such service; asking nothing
for their own time, for the dangers, ex-
posures and hardships which they endured
for the public benefit, but l regret to say
that their expectations have not been
realized. The patriotic citizens who give
their services and those who furnish them
with the means of support while in the
field have received no consideration
therefor, and there are many accounts
now honestly due for horses, food and
clothing and for supplies used while in
the actual service, who are still without
their pay, former Legislatures having re-
fused to remunerate them for their out
Low Thic doou not ohnw hot pokriokin
spirit which should animate the citizens of
this territory who have received the ben
efts from the services performed and the
outlay incurred. No patriotic commun-
ity can forget those who go forth to do
its battles, face the dangers of war, the
cold and storms of winter, the heat and
thirst of summer, and other dangers of
the campaign, or refuse to pay for their
voluntary service in defense of the coun-
try. sincerely hope that this legisla-
ture will see that this debt of honor is
paid.
The Financial Condition Of the Ter
ritOry
is not what 1t should be, and what should
be glad to see it. The great distress
which has fallen upon our people during
the last few years has unfortunately been
such as to largely prevent the collection
of taxes as closely >as they should have
been, and in every part of the territory
the delinq has been so great that
while the running expenses of the terri
tory for the same period has not been go
large the taxes collected have not been
soficient to meet the demands of the ter
ritory and there is to-day deficiency in
nearly every department.. This subject
should receive your careful consideration,
and means should be provided for the
supply at all times of ample means to
meet the running expenses of the terri
tory and keep it's credit unimpaired.
The reports of the territorial treasurer
and auditor, copies of which herewith
submit, will fully explain to you the
magnitude of these deficiencies and the
requirements necessary to meet them.
This condition is partially due TO ineffi.
ciency of the law in regard to the assess
ment of property throughout the terri
tory. Az the law now exists, we have
board of equalization whose duty it is to
meet and fix the values which are to be
placed upon the different kinds of prop
erty throughout the territory, so that the
valuations in the various counties should
be uniform and that equal justice is
shown to all parts OF the territory. I'm
fortunately there lie no way provided for
the enforcement of this law, and we find
that in many instances the county com.
missioners In the various counties, en-
tirely ignore the action of this board, and
there is NO remedy given the territory to
appeal from the action of the commits
sioners.
THE AssxssMsNT OF RAILROADS..
To illustrate the injustice resulting
thsrsirom, ! call your attention to d ingls
instance. The mat territorial equalization
hoard mat In Santa Ee. and nlaOAd tha