Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1907-01-14
A Royal Opportunity

"A 3 LncrsIAruRE in me history ~ New Mexico eve had such an
opportuntty rr doing good brought before II as confronts tf
body when viii assemble at SANTA re mex week For It least
4 ten years. more or less Of the attention Of each succeeding session
has been given 70 the york of fixing things for the advantage Of his
hat or the other ebosss until acts for he special benefit Of individual
have accumulated ie such an extent that they have become a sore burden
upon the people % ae territory burden almost 100 sreFlouS !" DE- 'nhn
hornc-ana there comes up q demand upon the Legislature o TINS ear
from every section Or the tenitory, 70 hay IN e'noclasle ham upon 'nme
IDOLS which have been set up from time to time or the benefit o the
fw Al The expense Of the many-and lay It o N hard. New offices for which
mere wns no necessity. hav been created solely for the purpose Of making
places FOR certain individuals and territorial institutions for which here
was practically u o use. have beer established at certain localities for no
otncr purpose than 10 strengthen the hands Of local bosses TO correct
these mistakes. or eve the mos glaring OF them Will require a good deal
1T moralc ourage. but " e believe The mep who have been chosen % COM
pose the coming legislature viii prove themselves equal to the emergency.
They win discover a good many frns mat the territory can prohtaby dis
ptse with ana " give them the credit Of possessing The necessary nerve
some Of our .o-caned public institutions really have Ne mission At
a. Because the special work for which they have been established e N
reality merely a feature Of the FORK Of some other institution already in
more. In this way a very large sum could be annually saved TO the public
tsasury. ad at the same lime he public reputation Of tn territory would
strong institution Than two o three feeble and sckly me- N ~ sam me
\ bigger saving sun could be effected by having the public ,a printing
require as much printing in the course o two years a. the territory Of
ems style for the least money, aud there IS no reason why the territory Of
New aeniro should Q have rs public business transacted in a business
IKE way Ana then there Il an Immense amount Of printing done BY the
territory that Is of no value % the public rake the pondrous volumes
issued BY the bureau OF immigration for Instance We doubt whether
they have - done enough good 70 pay for 'e postage stamps uod IN
mailing them. we believe ii adyertlns and do not believe there Is any
danger Of doing 90 much. as long IS It is OF the right sort but ten times
Immigration could bc had in other Ways for hair the money. For that
reason there Is q general impression that The bureau ought to b put on
the retired list It is an institution that doesn't pay
The reduction Of county expenses is also a natter OF prime importance
petitions viii 70 up from an the large counties in favor Of abohshing
the Zee system. n the payment Of county officers for their services and
The establishment OF a fixed salary system. no get at this matter properly
The legislature win have to divide the counties of the territory into cassos-
probably thiec-baHod upon population and III assessed value q property
0ccause salaries which might be fair and moderate IN counties Ike Der
naulo ana san Miguel. would bc out OF all proportion, and much worse
than tho present system. IN many o tho newer counties II win also be
necessary for the legislature al the same time TO make proper arrange
20 reimburse the county Tot the expense o assessing md collecting
The territorial tax Under the present fee system the territory has to
stand it's eight per cent fr these services the same as the county and the
schools but with the officers pn on a salary basis the county would have to
hear the entire burden unless the legislature should make provision for
having the territory assume Us share OF the expense
OF eoursc. the salary question Is a matter that concerns the counties
ax.fuefvalN hui The suuie constitute hi territory, n the pcOple con-
the counucs ana hence whether we deal with territorial taxes or
county taxes the loaG has to rest upon the same shoulders IN the end,
Various other ways in which the general burden may be materially
nehtenoa viii doubtless present themselves to the legislature from time
10 time but n that body VIII properly dispose Of the few features mentioned
above. It viii enuac ITSELF to a high place IN the estimation Al the people
of Now Mexico.