The Roswell daily record. [volume] (Roswell, N.M.) 1903-current, 1905-01-19
THE GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
Extracts From the Biennial Recon-
m~endations of Governor Otero,
Interesting to Eastern
New Mexico.

interesting to Eastern
New Mexico.
AS at the converting of the 35th
Legislative Assembly, we now have
a surplus of nearly every fund, which
can be used for reducing our interest
bearing debt. There have been no
bond or other evidences of new debt
issued during the past two years, and
the comparison between the present
financial condition of the Territory
with that at the last meeting of your
body is most gratifying.
By reference to the report of the
Territorial Treasurer, 1 find that at
the close of business on November
80, 1904. there was a cash balance
in the Territory Treasury of $249.147-
95. Included in this balance are sink
ing funds available for the redempt-
ion of outstanding bonds to the
amount of $1O6 .S67.21.
IN DOnlSu uSDt dI IHIS time IS
s949 300. while two years ago it was
$1.122,20 showing a reduction in our
bonded debt of $172,9O during the
past two years.
No new Indebtedness has been in
CURED during that time and 1 am
gratified to say that the financial sta
tus and credit of the Territory are
now on a basis that is a matter for
just pride and congratulation.
Under the six mill tax levy for gen
eral Territorial purposes, sufficient
moneys have beer realized to pay in
full all claims presented for payment
within the fixed appropriations.
Compensation of County Officials.
have recommended that the com
missions ON liquor and gaming licens
es should be taken from the commits
sions of the assessor, as it appears
that these license being fixed by law
the assessor at most simply keeps a
record of the expirations, which is
also done by the sheriffs; or better
still, that county officials be placed
pon straight salaries, and that they
be made responsible upon their bonds
for the full amount of moneys they
should by law and legally can collect
and turn owe to the proper officials,
Unless this is done. l recommend in
the matter of fees in the Office OF
county collector %ex-oficio treas
urer. that a plan similar to the fed.
eral regulation be adopted, establish,
ing a maximum salary limit, and all
fees in excess of that amount to be
turned into the county school fund
In counties of the first class, where
the work is heavy, and a deputy is
required, a maximum salary of $500
or $500 per annum should be fixed
ex-oticio treasurer TO employ a depu
ex-ficio treasurer 60 employ a depu
ty at $1,000 and still leave him a good
remuneration for his services. In
counties of the second class, where
deputies are not required, a maximum
salary of $500 or $4,000 would be
ample. In counties of the third anC
So. .-- -
too large if commissions on all mon
eys received were allowed.
Educational.
The Report of the Superintendent
of Public Instruction, Exhibit 81
herewith, shows a gratifying advance
in all school work, and especially al
regards popular education. A sum
mary of the statistics presented il
said report is as follows:
School population of New e
=. leo at close of the scholastic
yea October 1, 1904...... s. .40(
Enrolment of pupils in all
schools ........ -. -. 52,82t
Average daily attendance :. 1856
Number of hoo SO;
Number of teachers employed 1,25!
Average number Of months
taught in all schools .-.-.-
Total salaries paid teach
, ers 49,. -. - 436.17s.2'
Annual receipts .749.4:
Annual expenditures -..s675.620-2s
Value of all school prop
erty .....s2.267.5 22.s'