Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1899-02-20

weeks have Wa<cbed the e91SfdH4
proceedings cannot recall an instance
where o vote has been changed by anyI
discussions some few of the membel8
have .indulged in.
While on this subject again, N
correct statement made in one of my
former letters, in which ! stated $l0,l.
600 was appropriated outright to meet
the expenses of compilation of'the laws
by the last legislature. have looked
the matter up and find $4,000 was SO
appropriated. ~
And the three legal lights, who COM
posed the complication committee,witIi
the secretary, type writers, etc, were
limited to 5000, thus leaving Sll 600
to go towards printing the results OF
the work. That it was not properly
done is evident, as perusal Of the Lill
introduced by Mr. Richardson, at2the
instance of the solicitor general. will
show. The latter, by the way, was one
of the compilers. These defects are not
all by any means. Your correspond
ent,s attention was recently called to
others, one being the Incorporation Of
the old law giving county assessors
per cent commission, as we'll as, the OK
listing law giving only 2 per cent as en-.
acted by the last legislature With the
$1,000 mentioned, the receipt of
So. .04S 90 from the sale of 140 volumes,
and the amount now due the terri
torial printer about $3,OO0-this work.
of compilation and the printing thereof
will cost the Territory more than twice
as much as it should. In fact, it should
never have cost the Territory anything;
1t should never have been undertaken
at the expense of the Territory.
In explanation of this will say that
several years ago in a near western
state a similar condition existed that
existed in this Territory two years ago,
An attorney, as a private enterprise,
compiled aud printed bis compilation
of the laws Of that state, althonghit re-
CURED more work and made d much
larger volume than the Compiled Laws
of New Mexico. Hesold them through
out the state, and to all who desired a.
copy, for Sc 90. and no doubt made
good money. The state legisIature
Fsfterwards bought 1000 copies for. l.
think, $3.50 each. to supply all county
and precinct officers. Sc this state,
which has $40 70 cur one, had the BEN
eft of the compilation and supplied all
her officers for less than $4,000. while
our compilation will cost, no one knows
exactly how much, but probably $780,
Loco.
| will suggest here that the 1egislas
ture would do great thing for the peo.
pie of New Mexico If they would aboi.
ish the office of Territorial printer and
provide that the necessary printing be
let to the lowest responsible bidder, in
the same manner as supplies for .our
4 Territorial Institutions are obtained. Il
1 would save thousands Of dollars annu
/ ally.
i Hhe rumor that 7. B. Catron will bs
i appointed district attorney for th'
Santa Fe district i generally discred
tied. II such ia tbs case its cure oasl
of how have the mighty fallen.
Prior to adjournment the counci
confirmed the following appointments
Of the governor made in recess
II Regents Military Institute RoswelI4
Nathan Jrffa. Roberts. Hamilton, Chas
: Wilson.
Directors New Mexico Asylum TO
, the Insane-Benigno Romero, Fl II
Pierce.
Regents New Mexico University, AL
buquerque-Juan q. Armijo, II. L
! | Waldo.
D Regents Agricultural College. La
Cruces-H. D. Bowman. P. II. Cutrau
Jacinto Armijo.
{ Member Board Of Pharmacy - 3
} Ruppe. BernaliIlo.