Albuquerque morning journal., 1910-12-30

gr'age, declaring the objections to be
ridiculous and absurd. Frequently the
governor quoted the language of the
enabling act to convince even the
most skeptical that some of the things
that had been done by the constitu-
tional convention in framing the con-
stitution were done in express ae-
cordan1e ana under the specific in
strrctions, terms and conditions laid
down in me enabling act, enacted y
the congress and senate of the United
states
The governor spent some little time
discussing the claim of the opponents
Of statehood that under state gov
ernment taxes VIII be increased. Mr
Mills refuted this charge with the
emphatic statement that. in his opin-
ion, taxes win be reduced and re-
duced greatly after the state is once
! in actaal operation
| TAking up the question Of public
lands and their sale and disposition
Governor Mills said that he was in
favor Of selling certain public lands
which will accrue to the new state,
While he Is in favor of holding others
in trust For instance, the governor
said that he favors selling a certain
section of school land near Ros-
Well, and another section near Ar
tesla, in the Pecos valley because of
the fact that these lands depend for
their value upon the underfiow of
artesian water. AS the artesian coun-
try Is developed, the governor said,
each artesian well makes the land less
valuable. For that reason he was In
favor of selling such lands at price
not less than $3.50 per acre, and SELL
ing them while they can be sold at a
high figure The governor showed
where, if New Mexico sells such yalu-
able lands, places the money received
therefrom in the school fund, invest
ing 1t as provided for in the constitu-
tion, the public schools OF the terri
tory will be provided FOR. and the
people win not have to be taxed for
their maintenance. Mr.. Mills showed
that in 1903 the general tax was l4.5
mills and in 1910 IL had been reduced
to II mills. He believed that under
the new conditions, which VIII accrue
as the result Of statehood and ac-
companying benefits, the taxes viii be
greatly reduced.
In fact, so earnest was the governor
in his declaration that taxes win be
reduced under a state form Of govern
ment, and not raised sky high as
claimed by opponents Of statehood,
that he said he would be willing TO
take over the new state with the pres
ence tax rate, run and operate it un-
der the provisions called for in tEe.l
constitution and be confident that
he would make a yearly profit OF from
ST5 GOO to 100000 on the deal.
Governor Mills concluded his speech
with the statement that he expected
the grand old county of Bernalillo
and the imperial city Of Albuquerque
to roll up a vote for statehood that
will be practically unanimous. He
said that the opposition of those who
oppose statehood for New Mexico is
based on selfish and Interior motives
The governor resumed his seat amid a
storm of applause after he had con-
chded his remarks by SAYING that
il the citizens of Albuquerque and Of
Bernalillo county do not vote fer the
constitutions he for one VIII be IN
favor Of asking congress for an ap-
propriation for the enlargement OF
the insane asylum at Las Vegas
wherein all opponents OF the enabling
act may be domlciled. The governor
said that the Las Vegas Institution ~
well kept and conducted and that ne
was sure the statehood patients
would be happy ana prosperous there
Isaac Barth Gets Glad Hand.
Greeted by prolonged applause. Mr.. !
Isaac Barth followed Governor Mills, !
ana ilAMt 1t AAnIRN. WHY "l't'NfAff We
ginning with the remark that he was
IA democrat and that he had no apol-
ogles to make to any one. Mr. Barth
said that he was not IN attendance at
the meeting as chairman OF the Ber-
naniIc county democratic organiza
ton but as a private citizen Mr..
Barth waved aside the possibility Of
an apology for his presence nj state !
hood meeting with the philosophic /
quotation Them AS Amt EXpecting
Nothing Amt Going 20 Get Disap- |
pointed"
In the beginning Of his speech Mr.. I
parth said that the constitution of
N-w Mexico does not contain some OF
the things he would like it TO con- I
tain. He believed. however, that the /
state OF New Mexico win possibly be- I
able to thrive and prosper for at least I
nftv years without his approval Mr. /
Barth then caused roar of laughter
bv saving that there were several +
things IN the constitution OF the state /
of New York which he did not ap- /
prove.
However. I find that the state Of
New York" said Dir. Barth. ''is wor-