Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1912-03-13
GOVERNOR MCDONALD READS
MESSAGE To LEGISLATURE

The failure of banking Institutions
recently has been detrimental not
only to depositors and those who in
vested but also to the communities.
The banking laws need careful atten-
ton. A banking board or commission
to consist of the governor, state trea-
surer and attorney general should be
created and would involve no expense
| to the state except for necessary cler-
| ical hire. Compiled laws section 254,
| is violated by firms and individuals
doing banking business unauthoriz-
! ed by law and the offense should be
made criminal and punished with i'm
| prisonmant
| County Salaries.
| The constitution directs the lcglsla-
ture to fix the salaries, of county Of
| ficers. a fair adjustment should be
made, reasonable compensation should
! be given officers without imposing ex-
cessive burdens on the taxpayers, the
salaries to he similar to those paid
| in other states or in private business.
Assessment
The message calls attention to
glarine inequalities in assessment,
which in some instances in the same
| fun cash value and other property at
| less than five per cent of the value.
The law prescribing a cash valuation
| is disregarded in every county. for on
a cash valuation, the assessment of
! the state would exceed $500 100000
instead of being only $50, 10000 rhe
state board of equalization is endeav-
oring to raise that figure to $4,000
ina 4
of valuation to which all assessors
should be compelled to conform. The
board of equalization should be given
power to inquire into assessments of
property in each county,
state Museum.
The rooms occupied by the Histori-
cal Society in the palace of the COVER
nors should be turned over TO the
New Mexico museum and also all his
torical relics paid for by public funds,
installed in the museum.
Public Schools.
The lamentable condition of affairs
as to public education in New Mexico
was revealed by statistics read by the
goN efnor Thera. are Thousand
school districts, only 1,5Ss school
rooms. 10O,045 children of school age
but only an enrolment of IS, iFS ana
IAN average attendance of 32,54S. There
are SO districts that held no schooi
last year, is had school only for one
month. As for two months 207 for
three months and 179 for four
months. The total expenditures IN
Guiding money spent for buildings last
year. were s997, ,S91.39 or 1882 per
child of school age, $l2.S9 per en-
rolled child, $22.47 per child attend
ing as against an average of $4s.9l
for the United States.
The constitution prescribes mini-
mum term of five months, and now 10
secure that for each district is the
most important question before the
LEGISLATURE There are about 5O,OVV
children in Now Mexico who do not
have the benefit of five months year
school The situation must be rem
edied. even though the problem IS
difficult one. The cities boast of their
municipal schools, but at the same
time there are many districts whero |
the children grow up in absolute
ignorance. Free text books should DH !
furnished up to and including the ,
eighth grade. There should be sys.. /
tenn OF county Stn'oi0 ''fN -
school laws. the old school legisla- |
ton being repealed by it,
The Public Lands.
An important question is that OF
the public lands. The state acquired
from the territory 5,5S5,175 acres
To which are to be added 6.569,52o
acres granted the new state. making
n total of more than 12,000,O00 acres
II is an extensive trust. but the message
makes no recommendations as to the
selection and disposition or these
lands.
Three Offices Ia BE Abolished.
As the corporation commission has
absorbed most OF the functions OF the
insurance department. the message
advocates its abolition. The duties oi
the parole officer. the governor de-
clares. might as well be performed bF
the superintendent of the peni-
tentiarv and the office of parole OH
Ger who draws SIS month, abol-
ished. The coal oil inspector shouil
also be abolished, as the burden -
borne by the consumer and the law
does not appear for the benefit OF ths
reople nor furnish adequate protec-
tion The revenue last year was
sIs.ssS. Of which s10,S57 was spent
for inspectors and inspection, ana IN
balance. $3.50. presumably went 10
the inspector. as under the law NOT
more than the cost Of inspection can
he collected. and the state derives no
revenue from the Inspection.
Travelling Auditor.
This is one Of the most important
offices. and while the governor Is nor
in possession Of complete data, yet ne
believes that the verbal recommenaa-
tion of former Travelling Auditor JohH
Joerns for more help is justified An
other assistant travelling auditor
should be provided for.
Mountra Police.
Under this heading. the message re-
focted on the unsatisfactory state oi
q fairs a. revealed by TIE many crimes.
especially murders. committed in New
Mexico. Owing 20 troubled conditions
along the border and increase Of pop
ulation. also. there should be an m
creas. Of the mounted police force
The sherifs under the fee system nj
nr.Sef; are ~ times not efficient N
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