Albuquerque weekly citizen. (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1891-19??, 1903-01-24

preventing them from becoming n pub
lie charge either as paupers or Grim
inals.
Public Roads.
II In a well known fact that the con-
dition OF our county roads. with hardly
an exception. is lamentably defective.
The work upon them provided by law,
II performed at all is done in such n
careless and inefficient manner as to
show no results. Provision should be
made by you for enforcing the present
law. or by enacting n new one which
will accomplish the desired end. The
great difficulty seems to be at present
that there is no responsible head to
this imp >rtant department of internal
Improvement. All work or repairs
made upon roads and bridges should
he under direct supervision of the
County Surveyor. and no money should
he paid on this account except upon
n certificate from him of the amount
aud character OF the work and that
the party performing the same had
actually earned the money and was en-.
titled 10 pay; and he should he requir
ed to make a semiannual report to the
board Of county commissioners OF the
amount. character and cost of such
work.
Library.
There are large number Of New
Mexico reports in the library. reprints
Of volumes No. and 2. and volumes
. and 10. which under the present law
cannot be sold or disposed OF, except
the few volumes necessary for ex-
change with other states and terrific
rles. There should be law under
which the librarian Is authorized to
sell these reports at cost. turning the
proceeds into the library fund for the
purchase of new books.
Rewards.
Under the present law the executive
Is not allowed to offer rewards In any
case for the apprehension OF Grimm.
ais. This should be amended SO ms to
allow the executive In 3 proper case
TO offer reasonable rewards, and prop
er appropriation should be made for
the purpose of paying the same.
disappointment Of Territory.
/ desire to call your attention TO the
necessity of the present legislature re.
apportioning the territory for legisia-
tive pun poses, duty which should
have been performed by the last legis.
lature, rs our territorial act providing
that the governor shall reapportion In
case the legislature fails 10 do so. II In
conflict with the act of congress on
that subject. approved January 10.
1878. THIS Is very important matter.
controlling the legality of the election
of members of your body, and should
not be delayed.
New Lands.
Section 1891. Compiled Laws of
1897. now provides that no law shall
go into effect In less than thirty full
days after the adjournment OF the leg
islature. unless otherwise provided.
This act was passed In 1857. and Is a
most wise provision. But 1t has been
every act take effect from and after its
passage This is very grave mis-
take. and should never he done except
in extreme cases, which actually re.
quire the immediate execution OF the
law. A. the last legislature. for in
stance, changes were made In civil and
criminal practice and In general laws
I tAh nj NH
laws were not printed and distributed
until July, courts were held all over
the territory, and both court and coun-
sci did not know what the law was,
and earnestly urge that you do not
put any laws into immediate effect. ex-
cept where II Is absolutely essential,
like the revenue act.
Emblems on Ballots.
The present law providing thatsony
political convention held In any county
! for the purpose OF nominating candi-
J dates to be voted for at any election
, may adopt and file with the probate
clerk any mark or designating device
has proved in many instances detri'
, ment rather than a help to the voter
as there may be as many different
emblems or devices as there are coun
ties in the territory for the same tick
ct. In one county the republicans may
I have a democratic emblem and vice
, versa. I would recommend that the
r present law be changed SO that the
} territorial central committee Of each
, political party shall select and adopt
; the emblem or device to be used by
! said party for the ensuing two years
/. IN all counties OF the territory. THAI
r when adopted the same should be Ger
A titled by the chairman and secretar,
' OF the committee to the secretary o
A the territory, where It should be fiiet
!. by him and known as the emblem Of
device OF the particular party hlini
v the same to be used at all elections
!. until the same shall be changes ans
, the change certified to the secretary
! OF the territory. The penalty for us
q ing any such emblem or device upoi