Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1905-01-18

titing him TO a right TO vote.
Fourth, | would 30 so far as Ia ex'
clude professional lobbyists from the
floor OF the house or council. while
either body is In session. II Is only
just to every member OF the legisla.
ture that he be relieved OF any sus-
picion that may be aroused, wen un
justly. by his being called aside by
the professional lobbyist who will
whisper In his ear or offer all sorts
Of Inducements To secure the passage
of some law or the defeat OF some
measure for his own personal ends.
Legislative bodies should d%iscounten.
ance such practices, even II only to
get rid OF an annoyance and the sus'
picion that II Is poseslble to influence
any legislative member by unfair
means,
Repeats and Amendments to Laws.
Amend chapter No. 81, laws 1908,
by adding at the end Of section two
Co the words "By the Governor OF
the Territory"
Amend chapter No. los. laws of
1903, on the sixth line OF section ten
C0), where the word collector" ap-
pears, so that the same be changed to
read Commissioners"
Repeal section No. 1899. complied
laws of New Mexico. 1897, regarding
| assault with words.
New Laws.
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
legislature, unless otherwise provided,
This act was passed In 1857, and Is
a most wise provision. But it has
been the custom of past legislatures 10
make almost every act take effect
from and after its passage, This IS
a very grave mistake, and should
never be done except in extreme cases,
which actually require the immediate
execution Of the law. In other words.
the people should have time and OPP
~portunity to learn what changes have
been made In The law before those
changes go into operation.
For instance, changes were made
in the civil and criminal procedur.
and in general legislation that took
effect Immediately after their adop-
ton, while the laws were mol printed
and distributed until several months
afterwards. In the interval. court was
held in nearly every district and
neither court nor counsel knew what
the exact changes and new legisla-
lion were. ! urge, therefore, that
you do not place any laws upon the
statute books to 60 into effect imme-
diately upon passage, but give ample
time for the knowledge of them to
reach the people, except where 1t is
absolutely essential that an act go
into effect Immediately, such as the
revenue act or an act for the relief
of immediate wants and necessities.
| regard ii OF the greatest import
ance at this time that the laws of the
territory should be revised, and TO
that end recommend that a law be
enacted providing for the appoint
ment of a commission on revision of
not more than three commissioners,
all of whom shall be learned in the
law and who shall be paid a reason
able compensation for their work.
The revised statutes so prepared to he
submitted to the next legislative as
sembly, and such commission to be
appointed by the executive.
Rangers.
| have been urged by stockmen to
recommend the passage of q ranger
law, Whose uuly II SHdl pe w pdtioi
the ranges, to prevent the theft Of
stock and to aid in the apprehension
Of criminals. The suggestion seems
to me a good one, If such a ranger
force can be provided for at the ex-
pense of the special interests TO be
served and will not impose any addi-
tional burden upon the general tax.
payer. A law of that kind is reported
to be working very satisfactorily in
the neighboring territory of Arizona.
The Public Health.
The people are TO be congratulated
upon the fact that the territory has
been spared any extensive or deadly
epidemic and that, generally speaking,
Banitary conditions are very good.
The territorial board of health is
somewhat hampered in It's salutary
work by lack OF financial means, and
the legislative assembly should pro-
vide for such.
] would recommend that druggists
be compelled to keep a register of
those to whom poisons are sold.
Nearly every commonwealth has such
q regulation.
Recently extensive exposures have
been made Of the baneful ingredients
of a number of so-called patent or