The Roswell daily record. [volume] (Roswell, N.M.) 1903-current, 1907-01-22

Through the adverse vote of AriZo-
ma the measure was therefore defeat
ed, and the people Of botn Territories
are again in the same situation they
were before the bill was passed. Thru
the large favorable majority in New
7 Mexico, her people showed aat they
were willing to accept the terms offer
ed by h Federal Congress, in nose
hands u fate lies. AS the people of
Arizona, however, did not deem it ad-
visable to accept the offer extended
to them by the Act of Congress, the
realization of the hope and ambition
of h inhabitants of both Territories
to obtain a state form of government
is again Indefinitely postponed. AT
the present time the meeting of a o
stitutional convention composed eth
er of the delegates elected in New
Mexico under the joint statehood act,
or of others, would not, in my opinion
be useful, and / believe that in the
opinion of a large majority of the tax
payers of the Territory, h appropria-
ton by the legislature of money to
defray all or part of the expenses of
such a convention would be unwise.
The last apportio1ment of the Ter
ritory for legislative purporses, pre-
vious to the one now in force, was
made by Governor Prince in March
20. 1891. Since then the population
of the Territory has vastly increased
the division of its population has ma
~terially changed n many new coun-
ties nav been formed. While the
apportionment made by Governor
Prince was undoubtedly just and equi-
table at the time it vas made, that
apportionment under present condit-
ions was exceedingly unjust and I'M
Q~uestio1ably inequitable and contrary
to the meaning Il intent both of
the Organic Act and h Territorial
laws. Realizing this to be a fact and
tina a very deplorable condition exist
ed as far as concerned the equality
of representation throughout the Ter
ritory, and that a legal method of i'm
mediately remedying that condition
existed, l adopted that method and,
on the fourth day of November. 1906,
issued a proclamation Reproducing
the Territory for legislative purposes.
The Territory was divided into twelve
Council districts and twenty-one
House of Representative districts, the
attempt being to make the divisions
as just and equitable as could be ar
rived at under the circumstances. In
arriving as nearly as possible at the
population of the various counties, the
last United States n was taken
as a basis of computation, and such
other facts as the number of voters
tine school enrolment, were used to
throw light upon h subject n con-
tribute to the final result.
The new apportionment has been
generally accepted as a fair one, and
it has been affirmed both by a decree
of court n by the election of the
members of this legislature under it's
provisions.
Territorial Finances.
The reports of the Treasurer and
AuuIJOT VI the 1SIIlIOIy Il very u
and complete, and will prove of great
interest to the members of the Legis-
lature.
On December 1, 1904, the commence
ment of the seth fiscal year, there
were balances in the various funds
to the amount of $249. 1873.
Receipts from taxes and other sour
ces from December L, 1904, to Novem-
Der 80, 1906, were $1,442,615.65, max
ing a total of 1,691,7 1853 so to be &C
counted for.
Payments for the corresponding per
iod amounted to $1,331,762.7O, leaving
a balance in the treasury at the close
of business on November 80, 1906, of
$500. 0OO.90.
All claims within the appropriations
made were paid, n in addition there
to the bonded debt has been reduced
from s949, 10000 to $S43, 100000 a re-
duction of s1O6. 800. 90.
Capitol Building bonds, due March
1, 1905, redeemed, 500, 100000
Current expense bonds. due May 2,
1907, redeemed, 100000.
Casual Deficit bonds. due May l..
1923, redeemed, $4,000.
While the Territorial bonded debt
is now $S43. 100000 there are balances
in sinking funds available 70 redeem
outstanding bonds a~ggregating $1O3.
302.S2, making the net territorial debt
~$739.697.1S.
On May 2. 1907, $40. 90 six per
cent current expense bonds will be-
come due, for which there are funds
on hand to nav and on NoyemhHr l.