Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1898-01-29
HITS STRAIGHT OUT
The Federal Grand Jury Investigated
Legislative Bribery Charges
Some Founded on Facts.
NOT SUFFICIENT TESTIMONY
No Indictments Returned Against Members
of Legislature Remedies Suggested
and Public Sentiment to Be
Aroused.

January 3, made it's final report to the
States District court last night
and was discharged from further service.
Its report is as follows:
The grand jury of the First judicial
district Of the territory of New Mexico,
impaneled and sworn diligently to in
quire into offenses against the laws OF
the United States, respectfully submit
the following report:
While we found few indictments, we
have as thoroughly investigated reported
violations of the laws of the United
States as the time and means of obtain
ing witnesses at our command permit
ted. We are pleased to report that we
found but few fragrant violations OF the
laws of the United States of recent date.
The frequent and oft repeated charges
made in the public press. and otherwise,
of wholesale corruption and bribery OF
members of the last two legislative as
semblies induced us to go into an inves-
tigation of these charges, and the con
dition of things thereby implied. II
these charges were without foundation iI
fact, their prevalent repetition amount
ed to the grossest scandal upon tht
good name of the territory. Ii true IL
fact, or if reasonable ground existed fol
believing them to be true, an investiga
ton was demanded in the interest OF tn
| administration of justice and the pun
lie good.
Influenced alone by such considera
| tions. and being advised that member
| of the two houses of the legislative as
| semblies held their offices under and b.
| virtue of the laws of the United States
| and received their pay from its treasur..
and were therefore officers of the unite'
States and answerable to it's laws TO
| corruption and m~iSfeasance in office, W
| entered upon this investigation.
We summoned before us some 20 wit
nesses from different parts of the terri
| tory. who were reported to have Deel
| present as members, or as persons III
terested in measures pending before tn
last two legislative assemblies. Som
of these persons had publicly mad
charges of corruption against ditferen
members of the assembly. Others wer
reported to have direct knowledge
acts of corruption.
Nearly three years have elapsed sine
the adjournment of the T~hirty-ilrst lee
~islative assembly, and nearly a yea
since the. adjournment of the Thirt.
second. 1t was, therefore, most dif1icu
to secure direct and positive evidence {
specific acts. Witnesses were in man
instances afflicted with weak IN II
distinct memories, which could NJ
easily be refreshed.
While we were unable to secure eN
dence sufficiently definite to justify I'll
finding Of indictments against any pa
ticular persons, and it would be MAI
testify improper for us in this report
reflect upon any particular perso
whom we have not indicted, we neve
theless deem it our duty to call publ
attention to the general conditions
disclosed before us.
Witnesses came before us, some
whom had been members OF one or mo
Legislative assemblies and who were mi
of unblemished public reputation al
unouestioned personal integrity, al
from their statements the conclusion
inevitable that corruption in and abo
these Legislative assemblies has been
fragrant as to demand a remedy.
If this investigation proves to De
more than the first step toward a rel
edv for such practices in the future, o
labors will not have been in vain a.
the expense incurred fully justified.
We found that, whenever bills ha
A.ol,.ol for%1,n division nf nnu
ties or the removal of county seats, 1t
quite customary for the communities
be affected by such legislation to ra1
bv public subscription, or otherwis
large sums of money and send it to Sa
TIA Fc with committees to disburse t
same. 1t is claimed that money "
thus raised in many instances solely
, defraying the expenses OF these comm
tees
This body is. however, impressed wi
the belief that in very many instant
such funds have been used for mt
reprchensible purposes, and the amour
raised we're far in excess OF the reason
bic expenses of such committees.
We also believe, and feel justified
stating, that all attempts to reduce I
salaries. fees and emoluments OF pub
officers in the territory have been II
with defeat by OF an organic
compact lobby, amply supplied W
funds to be used in any way necesss
to accomplish it's purposes. Measu
for funding outstanding indebtedne
and other measures, some of them pr
ably meritorious, have been thus p
noted. In fine, it seems to be regart
as necessary to have lobbyists well 9
. piled with funds to secure or def
Legislation, without regard to its mer
Public sentiment can be aroused a
this condition of Things changed only
the enforcement of the law against bl
cry. Unless something is done,
taxpayers, ov~erburdened almost bcyo
endurance, must continue to suffer.
at present advised. we believe the pl
ent laws sufficient to suppress this e
If such charge could be investiga
with sufficient promptness.
We. therefore, recommend that
term Of the United States District co
for this district be held at or about
close of the sessions of the legislat
: assemblies. Even If the conclusions
have reached, as to the conditions VIII