Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1899-01-16
Governor 0tero's Message.

couched in lear and unequivocal lam
guage and replete with valuable sug-
gestions and information.
The governor congratulates the as
sembly and the people upon the great
prosperity that has obtained in New
Mexico and the country since the inau-
guration of President Mckinley. He
touches briefly, but properly, upon New
MeXico's glorious record during the re-
cent war with Spain; calls attention to
the fact that an enabling act for the ter
ritory is again before congress, and also
that the act of June q. 1898, max
ing certain land donations to New Mex
leo, is for the present imperative.
The condition that for the first time
in many years the legislative assembly
of New Mexico is in political harmony
istration is called to mind and the duties
and obligations that this imposes upon
the assembly and the Republican ma
jority therein, are clearly set forth.
The governor submits the reports of
all the territorial official institutions for
the consideration of the assembly with
his message.
The governor very truly and very
pointedly says that the financial condi-
ton Of the territory demands most ear
nest consideration and prompt action
and insists that the credit of the terri
tory must be kept %inviolate and at a
high standard. The assessed valuation
of property in the territory is far below
what it should be and this deplorable
state of affairs should be promptly and
fully rectified. He calls attention to the
fact that in some cases county commits
sioners have illegally and unlawfully
exercised the power to abate and reduce
taxes and levies by the wholesale to the
great detriment of the honest tax pay
ers and of the territory. He suggests
the enactment of stringent laws to pre-
vent county commissioners from doing
these illegal acts and also hat tn
w to compromise taxes be. take1
fwm the district attorneys and count!
| commissioners. These points are wei
| taken and of vast Importance.
In order to pay deficiencies in expend
lures during the past five years tn
governor recommends an issue of bonds
to run ten years at 6 per cent. Sucl
would command a high premium ant
wipe out the floating indebtedness OF
the territory. The recommendation is
timely and good.
The governor is of the opinion that the
large appropriations to the different ter
ritorial institutions, educational ane
charitable, should be curtailed wher-
ever and whenever possible and espe-
cially during the coming two years
This recommendation commends itself
favorably to those acquainted with the
financial condition of the territory an6
the assembly should heed it carefully
and as much as circumstances will al
low. That reductions in these appro'
priations can be made admits OF NJ
reasonable doubt.
The governor takes strong ground IL
the matter of a fair and honest assess
ment and collection of taxes, calls at
tention to the many defects in the pres
ent evenue law and in the assessment
and collection of taxes and makes {
forcible and courageous recommenda
ton for the repeal of the exemption IRON
taxation of 5000 worth of property nov
allowed heads of families. He shows tn
way in which the exemption law, as a
present enforced, works to the detri'
ment of the territory and counties.
The recommendation for a change il
the date of the fiscal year is good ant
should be carried out.
The message also contains a recon
mendation for the creation of the OF
fees of insurance commissioner ano
travelling auditor of county accounts
and argues we'll for the necessity of thu
creation of these offices.
The governor says the counties shoul6
care for their own poor and INDECENT
and he is right.
For the good of the commonwealth
the governor should be given power tt
remove territorial or county officials
upon charges being proven. This power
is vested in the governors of many
states and should be given the execu
tive of the territory. 1t would insure
better and a more honest enforcement
of the law.
The question of the rebuilding Of the
capitol is brought to the attention of the
assembly and Governor Otero believes
that the board of capitol rebuilding com.
missioners has done splendid work. HI
says: 1T is confidently believed that
no public building in the country com
parable with it has ever been erected
for so small an expenditure"
He recommends an additional issue OF
$50, 900 in bonds for the purpose Of COM
pleting and furnishing the new capitol,
This suggestion is most admirable and
should be favorably considered by the
assembly.
He calls special attention to the edu-
cational interests of the territory, also
abiding to the recent compilation Of the
laws, characterizes the work as a hand
some and compact volume of very con
venient size and states that the COM
pilation is giving general satisfaction.
He recommends suitable legislation
to carry into effect the provisions of the
act Of congress, approved June 81, 1898,
making donations of lands to the terri
tory and for the support of certain of
it's institutions and that legislation be
had and appropriations be made au-
thorizing the executive to offer rewards
for the apprehension of persons accus-
ed of crime.
The message should be read by every
good citizen of the territory. 1t is none
too long and contains nothing but what
should interest every patriotic citizen.
1t is clean, able and dignified. Every
recommendation made by the governor
has beer well considered, Is made be-
cause believed to be for the advantage