The San Juan County index. (Aztec, N.M.) 1890-19??, 1901-02-01
LEGISLATORS AND THEIR LABoRS,


The reports from Santa Fe Indicate
that the present general assembly is
showing more energy than any Of ite
predecessors in getting down to Work
early and in paying strict attention to
the business Of law-making.
No important action has been taken
on any OF the measures rs yet, the maip
order being the introduction Of bills.
While the actual number OF hours en-
ployed by the members in business ses.
sion during the past week wcre not
lengthy, an exceptionally good start has
been made, a sufficient number OF bills
being introduced in both branches to
provide for the committees and mem
bers.
Chief interest was naturally centered
in the Catron Easley contest in the
council and the Llewellyn- Slaughter
proceedings in the house. The former
matter is believed to have been effec
tually disposed Of by a vote taken early
in the week, changing the rules 30 that
a two thirds vote is necessary to con.
slider election contests. The ballot on
this proposition stood seven to four,
the Democratic members voting in favor
Of Mr., Easley, Since the adoption OF
this rule, no attempt has been made by
either side to bring forward the contest
and from all appearances Mr.. Easley
will retain his seat during the remainder
Of the session. It is not thought that
Mr.. Cstron can command the strength
necessary to obtain the two-thirds Oon-
sent.
In the house there was an evident at
tempt made Monday evening to railroad
decision in the Llewellyn Slaughter
contest. A motion was made and car
ried that special committee Of three
be appointed to investigate and report
concerning the merits of this case. At
fret this committee was composed OK.
clusively Of Republicans, but later was
enlarged to five aud the minority was
accorded representation. No report has
yet been made by this committee and
while the outcome is still problematical
there seems to be an impression thai
Mr.. Slaughter will not be allowed tC
hold his seat on the face Of the returns
Tuesday Of last week was devoted b,
the house to memorial services cornnem
morative of the life and labor Of the
late Msximiliano Luna. Eulogistic ad
dresses were delivered by several Of tn,
members, the principal oration being
made by Carl A. Dalies of Valencit
county, who spoke most eloquently anC
at once took foremost rank among
the orators Of tho territory. On FRIDAY
similar services in respect to the mem
ory Of the late Roman A. Baca Wert
held in the house.
Among the important measures intro
duced were II. B. No 1, by Mr.. Chap
man: An act amending an act entitled
"An act fixing a license tax for doing
business in the territory of New Mexico
and providing that a license or occupa
tion tax, one-half to be paid into thl
general school fund, shall be imposed
each year upon peddlers travelling OF
foot, in the sum of $3.50 and peddler
with two animals or more in the sum o
$500.
H. B. No. 10y Mr.. Read; An &C
amending the present jury law, provid
ing tnat every male citizen Of the U.
who is qualified to vote at public elec
tious under the laws Of this territor
and who lie not mentally or physieall
an invalid, shall be qualified to serve
and exempting persons convicted Of in
famous crime; those living in a state Q
bigamy or polygamy, professional gam
blers. habitusl drunkards and attorney
at law.
H. B. No. 20, by Mr.. Sanchez: An &C
fixing the compensation Of Justices G
the peace while acting as road super Vi
sor at 500 per day and the time of sue
employment not to exceed twenty day
A measure which Judge Pendleton
pushing and for which it is understoo
he has bill prepared is with referenc
to equalizing assessed valuations in th
territory, This is q very importan
measure to the people Of San Jua