Albuquerque citizen. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1907-1909, 1909-01-18
GREAT INTEREST IN LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY BECAUSE
II IS PROBABLY THE LAST UNDER TERRITORIAL RULE

Contrary to expectations the two
! houses Immediately after organiza-
ton convened in joint session for the
purpose of listening to the reading
of the governors message. Charles A.
Spiess presided over the joint session.
Governor Curry occupying a seat on
/ the rostrum where he was escorted
by a committee of five appointed Oy
the presiding officer. The governor
read three kilograms touching upon
the statehood situation, which he had
| received from Washington today.
These kilograms were from Congress-
man Hamilton, chairman of the COM
mittee on territories of the House;
another from William Loeb, private
secretary to the president, and the
last from Delegate w. II. Andrews
Each message predicted the passage
of the statehood bill at this session
of Congress. The reading of these
messages aroused prolonged enthus-
iasm among the spectators.
Then the governor read his mes
sage to the legislature. This was
probably the first time in many years
/ that governor in person, has read
his message to the legislature The
message was very voluminous and
touched every phase of territorial af-
lairs. 1t comprises 1900 words in
all The reading of the message was
constantly interrupted by applause
and the fine showing of the territory
as told by the governor aroused great
enthusiasm. The message says in
part:
| To the Gentlemen Of the Council and
House Of Representatives of the
2Sth Legislative Assembly Of the
Territory of New Mexico:
1t becomes the duty of the govern
CT of New Mexico upon the conven-
ing of the Legislature to furnish such
Information as he has at his disposal
concerning the condition of the terri
tory and to make such recommended
tions concerning new legislation as he
may deem advisable.
1t Is great pleasure for me to
meet you and to assure you that it
Will be my high ambition to COOP
crate with you in every possible way
TO secure good legislation for the
advancement of our territory and the
lettering Of the condition of the peo-
PIE.
During the past two years the ter
/ ritory of New Mexico has increased
IN population more than 100000 and
, today We have, conservatiyely estim-
ated, population of $45O.OO0.
The panic last year which wrought
so much damage throughout the
country, affected New Mexico very
little. / know of only one business
failure of any importance and there
was not single failure among the
banking institutions organized under
the territorial or national laws The
cattle and sheep industry suffered
some, but conditions have improved.
and everything now Indicates that
the present year will be a very pros
Ferous one. New towns have been
built up; railroads are being extend
ed; new irrigation enterprises are be-
ing built; four or five large private
irrigation enterprises are under way
while we have under construction, i'm
addition, the government project
known as the Elephant Butte dam.
above Las Cruces on the Rio Grande.
which when completed will have cost
more than eight millions of dollars,
and which will be one Of the largest
artificial reservoirs in the world It's
construction will not only give en-
FipNmcnt to thousands Of peOple
during the next few years, but will
put $50 900 acres of land under cul-
tivltion.
our assessed valuation has incrcas-
ed to $52,OOO,OOO and / am reasona-
bly, sure that with a fair assessment
which We hope to have. the assessed
valuation will be over 100000, 600 for
the ensuing fiscal year. The terri
torial tax rate OF l3 mills on each
one hundred dollars Is the lowest for
the past ten years and If the legisla-
ture practices rigid economy we will
be able to further reduce the tax rate
during the coming year
The election of last fall passed of
quietly and | have not heard a single |
complaint from any source about IL !
legal voting. IL is very creditable to /
cur people ard goes a long way To
show that the people of New Mexico !
are capable Of governing themselves. I
The various reports Of the terri !
torial officials and regents are ap-
pended hereto as exhibits and will in |
form you OF the exact condition of !
cur territory. The management of !
our various institutions, on the whole !