Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1898-11-04
Mr.. Psrea's Legislative Record.



Hon. Pedro Perea's legislative
record, as a member OF the territorial
legislature, is guarantee Of what ne
will endeavor To accomplish as dele.
gate to congress. Since 1887 he has
been a member OF the legislative
council four different times, aud TO
his work is due the fact that some uf
the best laws in force today arc on the
statute books.
In 1889 the conditions of The terrific
rial treasury claimed his attention and
the reforms needed Up to that time
no appropriations were made for any
purpose by the legislature and war
rants were issued for Indebtedness
regardless Of the state of the funds.
Ia 1889, when the legislature met, Mr..
Perea had ready for introduction, an
appropriation bill, based upon the
same principles as the appropriation
bills passed by congress each session.
The bill was introduced, but met with
storm OF opposition. Mr.. Pcrcl
never faltered in his efforts to secure
its passage, and anally accomplished
1t. By that one act alone, since 1889.
the territory has been saved fully
Sl,C0O, GOO In expenditures, which had
before been made in reckless man
ncr.
In 1891 when the bill for the es.
Ia6lishment OF the public schools
was intrDduced. Mr.. Perea worked
night and day for its passage and no
one in New Mexico was more pleased
when the governors signature was
affixed, making it law He has al
ways been anxious that the bureau of
immigration should be supplied with
the funds necessary to make its work
effective ard it was through his efforts
that the weather bureau service WIS
extended into New Mexico.
During Cleveland's first administra-
tion, 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
net member of the legislature, Mr..
Perea has fought extra avagahce in all
its forms. His one desire TO place the
teriitofy on Hrm basis, to pay OH the
debt, aud at the.Same time maintain
the credit Of New Mexico at home
aud abroad has actuated him In hls
public services,
Many other beneficial measures now
the law Of the territory were passed by
Mr.. Pcrea's efforts aud work. In the
light OF these facts, how do the
chatges that he is opposed to educa-
lion, that he is a "moosback," and
that he fears advancement and de-
veIopment Of the territory for the
rcdson that they will break his power
over the people, appear? Any candid
person viii admit that his political
opponents hope to accomplish his de-
feat by Interpretations 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 dc.
velnping the resources OF the territory;
he has watched the interests OF the
tax payers as no other man in New
Mexico, and at all times has proven to
be 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. PeTea cut
the ground from under the feet Of the
Democrats, and now that they are
forced to make fight against man
who stands above successful attack,
either on his public record or his pri-
vate life, they are pcryertiug facts,
using abuse for argument and STOPPING
to.mud throwing in order to bolster up
their own weak cause. Were Mr.
Perea n 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 attaks up
on him ridiculous.
The W. S. Cattle Company, whose
headquarters are at Alma, have ship
ped over 6 900 head of cattle out OF
Magdalena this season.