Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1898-10-24
Mr.. Perea's Legislative Record.

Hon. Pedro Perea's legislative record
as a member Of the territorial legisla.
ture, is a guarantee of what he will en-
deavor to accomplish as delegate tC
congress. Since 1887 he has beer a mem
Der of the Legislative council four differ
ent times. and to his work is due the
fact hat some of the best laws in force
today are on the statute books.
In 1889 the conditions of the territorial
treasury claimed his attention and the
reforms needed. Up to that time no
appropriations were made for any pur-
pose by the legislature and warrants
were issued for Indebtedness regardless
of the state of the funds. In 1889, when
the legislature met, Mr.. Perea had
ready for introduction. an appropria-
ton bill, based upon the same principles
as the appropriation bills passed by
congress each session. The bill was in
troduced, but it met with a storm of OPP
position. Mr.. Perea never faltered in his
efforts to secure it's passage, and finally
accomplished it. BY that one act alone,
since 1889, the territory has been saved
fully 81, 900, 900 in expenditures, which
had before been made in a reckless
manner.
In 1891, when the bill for the es-
adjustment of the public schools
was introduced. Mr.. Perea work
ed night and day for its passage,
and no one in New Mexico vas
more pleased when the governors sig
nature was affixed, making it a law. He
has always been anxious that the bu-
reau of immigration should be supplied
with the funds necessary to make it's
work effective, and it was through his
efforts that the weather bureau service
was extended into New Mexico.
During Cleveland's first administra-
ton, when the clerks of the district
courts made enormous salaries out OF
their offices, Mr.. Perea saw the drift of
affairs and prepared, introduced and
succeeded in passing the fee bill, which
has saved tens of thousands Of dollars
to the tax payers. During his service
in the council, and even when not a
member of the legislature, Mr.. Perea
has fought extravaganza in all its
forms. His desire to place the ter
ritory on a firm financial basis, to pay
off the debt, and at the same time main
tain the credit Of New Mexico at home
and abroad, has actuated him in his
public services.
Many other beneficial measures now
the law of the territory We're passed by
Mr.. Perea's efforts and work. In the
light of these facts, how do the charges
that he is opposed to education, that he
is a "mossback," and that he fears ad-
vancement and development of the ter
ritory for the reason that they will
break his power over the people, ap-
pear? Any candid person will admit
complish his defeat by misrepresenta-
tons and SANDER, knowing that they
have no other course left to pursue.
The truth is that Mr.. Perea has ever
advocated such legislation that would
elevate and educate the people of the
territory; he has been foremost in aid
ing the building of railroads and devel-
oping the Of the territory; he
has watched the interests of the tax
payers as has no other man in New
Mexico, and at all times has he proved
to be the friend of the poor people who
have not the means to fight their own
battles in the courts, when their rights
have been threatened.
The nomination of Mr.. Perea cut the
ground from under the feet of the Dem
ocrats, and now hat they are
forced to make a fight against
a man who stands above suc-
cessful attack, either on his public
record or his private life, they are per-
verting facts, using abuse for argument
and STOPPING to mud throwing in order
to bolster up their own weak cause.
We're Mr. Perea a comparative stranger
to the voters, that manner of campaign
might prove effective, but his wide
spread acquaintance and his well
known reputation for honesty and up
rightness of purpose makes attacks up
on him ridiculous.