Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1912-04-20
Compensation for Sheriffs One
Of Hardest Nuts for Law
Makers to Crack; Graduated
Scales Likely,
LEGISLATIVE CONTESTS
ARE ALSO PUZZLING
Minority Members Now Seated
Are to Belong to Speakers S
Family of StauncheSt Sup
porterS in House.

porterS in House.
Especial Dispatch to the Morning Jourrsil
| Santa Fe, n, NJ, April ie.-The
| question of fixing the salaries to be
! paid the various county officers OF the
state as required by the constitution.
while It has lain dormant for some
/ time. is likely TO come up within the
next few days, and when II does It is
sure to keep the legislature very busy
until 1t Is disposed or
| 1t Is big question, with many
angles To 1t and involves many con-
| fiicting interests. Some time ago the
senate went about the matter Of ac-
| cumulating information to use as q
| basis Of fixing the various salaries
and reports have been received from
! every county in the state showing thc
incomes that the officers have been
| receiving under the old fee system ana
| the volure of business done by the
different offices. with this Informal
tIon before them. some of tho sena-
tors have been engaged In drawing
bill which will be introduced within
4 ii' next udN oF lWps
What amounts the bill carries for
the various salaries could not he
| learned, AS no information could be
obtained on the subject In advance Of
the Introduction OF the bill 1t is be-
lieved, however. that II will provide "A
graduated scale of salaries, based on
the population of the different couu-
ties, the amount of business done by
the offices, and other considerations
which may effect the questioa of tn.
proper compensation To be paldG
1t Is not anticipated that there will
be much difficulty In agreeing upon
the salaries to be paid the treasurcrs.
assessors and clerks, but snag of
large proportions, will be struck when
Il comes to fixing the compensation
of the sheriffs. The duties of the
sheriff are SO complicated, combining
those of peace officer with those OF
enforcing the civi branch OF the law
and the circumstances surrounding
the performance of those duties In the
different counties of the state vary so
widely that It is going TO be very dif-
iicuit to nx even sliding scale of
salaries for shcriffs that viii satisfy
everybody.
Bills In both the senate and the
house are practically ready for intro
ductlOn and next week viii see the
start of the fight. The house bin win
be introduced by Mr.. Chaves, of
Torrance, while il is understood that
Senator Clark, of san Miguel, will
stand sponsor for the senate measure.
There is said to be little material dir
ference between the two bills and Il
is believed that after their introduc-
lion a conference committee will be
appointed to draft q compromise mea-
sure which VIII bc rs nearly as pos
sible acceptable to all concerned.
Two general primary bills are now
pending IN the house of representa-
lives. One was introduced by Mr.. NJ.
=. dc Baca several days ago. and the
other 10y Speaker Baca yesterday.
Mr.. de Buea's bin Is one OF the
most comprehensive and voluminous
measures which has been introduced
it this session of the legislature. II
'overs twenty-six typewriter pages.
md goes into the minutest detail as
q the machinery for putting it's pro-
'isions into effect. II includes prac-
lcally an elective officers in its np-
ilicatiOu. the only exceptions being as
% special elections to ~ vacancies,
h offices of state superintendent OF
Instruction. presidential electors. coun-
y and District supcrintendents, town,
iilagc and school district Officers
nd judicial Officers. IL also applies
- nominations for United states SEN
tor
II provides that primaries of all
arties shall bee held on the same day.
nd that NO candidate for "A nomins-
on shall have his name placed on
be- official ballot until he shall have
He'd nomination papers signed by
ercentave uf the voters af his party
arying according to the office for
'hich he is seeking nomination. II
rescrihes the form of the official bal
Il. ard goes elaboratciy Into al IN"
ctails of notice, expenses. manage
rent. counting of the vote. announce
rent of the result. and other thlnps
ertaining 10 the holding of a pri-
.arl.
The bill Is too voluminous to give
On an outline or its provisions TN q
.wspaper story. hut il Is sufficient 10
q That it is a very carefully ana
illfuily drawn measure and that II -
odeied after the Wisconsin law.
hich is generally accepted ~ one 1t
e most advanced In the country.
Speaker Bacas bin H. more general
it, provisions and does not q.
ariy 80 much into detail. Il pr'is id.s
r the nomination cf delegates Ia con-
ntions by primaries. and sets ont
e. machinery Tor carrying out tho
DIVISIONS - the act IL alSo embracs
registration law which would make