Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1899-01-16

territory are maintained in a flourishing
n satisfactory condition. Innovation
upon this law with a view to materially
altering its benign features would be
dangerous. Reports from all parts of
the territory show that outside of the
cities and towns of the territory during
this year, 511 schools were conducted.
employing 541 school teachers; in these
schools there was an enrolment of pa
061 pupils, whose average daily attend
ance was 14,3SS. Reports from the cities
and towns show even more fiattering>
conditions; at least 5000 pupils We're
enrolled in these schools during the
yea 1898. Magnificent school buildings
for the accommodation of our school
children, and successful graded schools
under the management of competent
and experienced tutors are conducted
therein.
The existing laws were compiled in
n volume under the act for that pur-
pose, passed by the last legislature, the
English and Spanish editions being
separately bound, making a compact
and handsome volume of a very m
venient size. This compilation was
regularly approved and promulgated,
and mas given general satisfaction. The
report of the solicitor general upon this
compilation shows in detail the omis-
sions therefrom, which should be added
by legislation and suggested additions,
changes and repeats, to which I would
invite your special attention.
1 desire to call attention once more to
lie lands to the territory: Under the
act of congress granting these lands to
the territory, 1t was provided in section
10, ''That the lands used for university
Dos including air saline lands and
sections sixteen and t~hirty-six reserved
for public schools, may be leased under
such avs and regulations, as may be
hereafter prescribed by the legislative
assembly of said territory; but until
the meeting of the next legislature OF
said territory, the governor, secretary
of the territory and the solicitor general
shall constitute a board for the leasing
of the said lands Under this section
of the act of congress-, it will be neces-
sary for your body to pass suitable
legislation to carry into effect this dos
nation under the restrictions and
tations provided for in said act, and n
amendments that may be made thereto
during the present session OF congress.
Your attention is invited to the act it
self, which was approved the 21st day
of June, 1898, and will be found in the
statutes at large of the second session
of the 55th congress.
REWARDS.
The former provisions of the law au-
thorizing the governor in proper cases
to issue rewards for the apprehension
of persons accused or suspected OF
crime. were repealed at your last ses-
sion, leaving the executive without any
authority to proclaim rewards for the
detention or punishment of criminals.
The former statutes, or similar ones on
this subject should be re-enacted, as in
no instance do I know of the power be-
ing abused, and in many cases it has
resulted in great good.
EQUALIZATION OF TAXES.
I desire to direct your attention spe-
cially, to the report of the board or
equalization as many recommendations
are contained therein, which If possible
to carry out, would be of great benefit
to the territory.
There may be matters requiring your
attention, which I have omitted to
specify, but which, if necessary. 1 will
bring to your notice later in a special
communication.
In conclusion, the time of your ses-
sion is limited to 60 days. Your duties
are arduous and responsibilities great,
and I believe the former will be dis
charged, not by enacting a great num-"
Der of hastily prepared new laws, but
by a fewer, number which have been
carefully considered, and in taking
stringent measures to enforce the laws
which we already have, or repeal them
wholly if they are not to be enforced.
MIGUEL A. OTERO,
Governor. Territory of New Mexico.
After the governor concluded his adj
dress, which was received with great
approval, the council and house adj
journed until 10 o'clock in the morning.
A E- EL
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