Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1910-07-28

The same old gang OF railroad at
torneys who formerly secured railroad
legislation from the legislatures of
New Mexico ana VINO put through the
notorious Hawkins railroad bill in the
Legislature OF 1908, despite a veto by
Governor MA. Otero, are again In
thc foreground trying to dominate
the coming constitutional convention
The Hawkins measure. which was
undoubtedly the most vicious legis-
lation ever attempted In New Mexico
was turned down by congress as be-
ing absolutely contrary to the inter-
ests of the people of New Mexico and
because it confliCted with the con-
stitution of the United states.
When A. b. Fall w. A. Hawkins
and other railroad attorneys, who are
now seeking to secure election TO the
constitutional convention, had no
more regard for the peoples rights,
than to pass such a vicious measure
as the Hawkins bill, what kind of q
constitution can be expected II these
same railroad attorneys have a hand
in the drafting OF the constitution for
the new state
1t is said that these same attorneys
who ran things with a high hand in
former legislatures, until they be-
came so obnoxious TO the people that
4 they were forced to retire and secure
\ their legislation by different means,
I believe that their past deeds In the
drattinG of territorial laws, have been
forgotten py this time, and that they
can secure election TO the constitu-
I tional convention by the use OF their
former methods. once in the con-
vention. there remains but little doubt
in view Of the past work Of these gem
tlemen. that the interests they repre-
sent will secure what they want, re-
gardiess OF the balance of the terri
tory.
1t is apparent at this time. that a
coalition OF railroad attorneys has
been formed for the purpose OF Sc
curing just as many delegates In that
convention as Is possible. They are
working within both republican and
democratic ranks. The interests of
neither party concerns Them, and
their only object is to secure for their
respective corporations, all the votes
possible, so that when some such mat
ters as possibly the Hawkins railroad
bill, comes MP for injection into the
constitution. they can railroad them
over the delegates who are In tha
convention as the real representatives,
of the territory and not for any OF It's
special interests.
When congress declined to approve
the Hawkins railroad bill, the meas
ure was probably the most bitterly
denounced by the members of that
body. Of any act OF a New Mexico leg
isiature. II was openly stated by
members OF congress, that the act
was purely and simply an attempt to
prevent any resident Of New Mexico
from securing damages In case OF In
jury by a railroad.
Yet Judge A. b. Fan, who main /,
tains n nominal residence az Three |
Rivers, n. NJ, but who spends most |
OF his time in the state OF Texas, was
the man who moved the passage or
that notorious act over the veto Of |
the governor in the upper house of
the legislature of 1903, as shown by |
the minutes of that body Incident
ally, w A. Hawkins, who Is working |
hand In hand with the venerable
Judge from FL Paso, was also MEM
Der of that Legislative body, and the
records OF that session show that he
twice voted for the passage of the
act, the first time on It's original pass
age and the second time when Gov
ernor Otero sent II back with his veto
message In which he characterized
the act as bad legislation.
The minutes OF the sessions OF the
house and of the council OF the legis-
lature OF 1908 are exceedingly inter-
esting reading 20 the people Of New
Mexico, especially when house bill No.
ts5. better known as the Hawkins
bill. was being rushed through.
Those who are familiar with the
of those days, say that
the Hawkins bill came to the legisla- !
ture in the pockets OF Judge Fall and
". A. Hawkins. II first appears on
record. when Il was introduced I'm the
house along IN the middle OF the ses-
sion. as house bill No. 1856. an act
establishing the law and procedure IN
-ertain cases" This was on March 3.
md the measure was referred TO the
judiciary committee. Major w. II. !
A. Llewellyn was chairman OF the
Judiciary committee and the act was
avorahly reported to the house at an
.arly date. From that time on the
measure was rushed through the &
louse, the rules being suspended for q
he purpose on the second and third {
eadings and for its passage.
The bill was reported TO the council
Is duly passed by the house, and on
august s, as shown by the minutes. ?
he council passed the bill BY vote
4 ten aves and one nav one member .