Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1907-02-07
Seeks to Make 1t Bribery for
Any Territorial Official to Of
fer Job to Any Member Of
Assembly,
CLUMSY EFFORT TO
SLAP ADMINISTRATION
Dona Ana County District At
torney DencIined to Consider
Amendment Prohibiting Ap-
pointmentS by Legislature,
The Morning Journal Bureau.

VI
Representative Holt, of Dona Ana
county, this afternoon succeeded in
having the house pass what has be-
come popularity known about the cap
ltol as the Holt Skiddoo bill. It's
number is 2S, and its popular title is
appropriate because of the effort 1t
makes to force territorial officials to
abstain from taking any interest in
legislation or the affairs of the legis-
lature. The gossips of the capital say
that Mr. Hollis next bill will be a
measure to prohibit the governor from
giving dinner parties or having call
ers at his office.
The vote on the passage of the bill
was l6 to Z, Mr.. Denniston, of San
Miguel, being absent. The Holt skid
doc bill was introduced last week by
the gentleman from Dona Ana in the
course Of his vigorous campaign to
have himself legslated back into Of
flee as district attorney for that coun-
ty. The text of the bill follows:
Sec, 1, Any territorial officer who
shall directly or indirectly attempt to
Influence the vote of any member of
the legislature of New Mexico by Of
fering to him appointment to any Of
flee in the territory or by informing
him that he will not be appointed to
any office in the territory unless he
votes in accordance with the wishes
of such territorial officer, or who
shall in any other manner attempt to
coerce or intimidate any member of
the legislature as to any prospective
or pending legislation, shall be deem
ed guilty of an attempt to bribe, and
upon conviction thereof in a court OF
compet@lt jurj sl,ctl,il shall be puls@
ished by Imprisonment in the terrific
rial penitentiary for not to exceed
three years or by a fine in any sum
not to exceed $1,000. or by both such
fine and Imprisonment in the discre-
ton of the court trying the cause.
Sec. 2. This act shall be i'm effect
from and after the date of its pas
sage.
The bill came in at the morning ses-
sion on a report from the judiciary
committee, of which Mr.. Holt is chair
man. and recommending its passage.
The course of the bill i'm commit
tee is interesting. In the committee
an amendment was offered to the bill
maxim ii Illegal for any member of
the legislature during his term of Of
flee to accept any territorial office.
"either from the governor of the ter
rltory or by appointment by the leg
islature." To this provision as re-
CARDS legislative appointment Mr.
Holt promptly declined to accede. The
passage Of an amendment prohibiting
legislative appointment would prevent
Mr.. Holt from being named district
attorney for Dona Ana county under
the pending district attorney bill,
position to which he aspires TO be
returned, and to which he knows that
he cannot be returned by executive
appointment. Such an amendment
would also dash the homes of Mr.. Abb
bott of Santa Fe county, who by the
same method seeks to be returned to
the office of district attorney for
Santa Fe county, from which he re,
signed suddenly last summer. The
Bursum forces have joined with all
their might for the passage of this
bill since 1t Is designed as a slap at
the administration and an effort to
embarrass the governor.
Shortly after the opening of the
afternoon session Mr.. Holt moved the
suspension of the rules to take up
the skiddoo bill. The speaker declln-
ed to hear a demand for the roll call,
and declared the rules suspended by
a viva voce vote. After the adoption
Of certain minor amendments, to
which no objection was raised Mr.
Holt moved the passage of the bill,
Mr.. Beach seconding the motion.