Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1912-03-12

lin the presence of an attentive audi
ence that crowded the Hall of Repre-
1sentatives, Governor William c. Nc
Donald read his first message to the
first state legislature in a clear, well
lmodulated voice. He was greeted
with handclapping as he entered the
auditorium and those present rose un-
it'll he was seated and when he CON
tcluded, lust about noon, there was pro-
Ilonged applause in which Repubhcans
Democrats and Progressives Joined.
The message is a lengthy one but is
iCl,ite conservative in its tenor al
Though here and there recommends
itions are made that will arouse opp0-
sition-that might be called radical
lSome things were noticeable for their
absence, such as reference to the recall
and to the judiciary. Taken all in all,
the first impression Of the message
was favorable, and vote of thanks
was unanimously rendered the eXecu-
tive for his message, as mark OF
courtesy.
| The Governor opened with a refer
ence to the new responsibilities that
lhave. been assumed by the common
wealth. He declared: 1T is for you to
decide how well equipped for self-goV-
Iernment we shall appear TO the world.
The responsibility cannot be shifted.
The constitution requires careful
i,,tO
legislation passed may conform with
it"
Finances.
The message contains lengthy finan-
cial statements which the governor did
not read, giving only the totals, which
show balance in the state treasury at
the beginning of the fiscal year of
l$542, 1855.
State Educational Institutions.
The message dwells on the annual
cost of the state institutions, which
might be considerably reduced with
out impairing their efficiency. Several
of the institutions have preparatory
departments that being properly to
the high schools in the respective
) municipalities. Duplication of courses
lis unnecessary and consolidation OF
several institutions is advisable. The
Agricultural College might confine it
self more extensively to instruction in
practical farming and the work of the
School of Mines might be done by the
University Instead of board of re-
gents for each of these educational in
stitutions, there should be a single
board of control. However that Woult
require an amendment of Section l;
of Article u of the State Constitu
!, ton.
State Debt.
The amount of the state debt !:
$966,50 To this, under the Enabling
Act, are to be added the county debt'
: totaling $2,5O2,727 and the special deb
of Santa Fe and Grant counties, vari
ously estimated to be from less thai
dollars.
Interest on County Funds.
:. There was a balance in the variou
county treasures at the beginning o
n the fiscal year of $1,505, 1922. and OF
New Year of $1,302,114.77 The coun
ty balances should net the countie
} from $4,000 to 100000 a year Tha
h this income does not go to the count
y treasures, is a condition no longer t
5 be tolerated. (Applause.)
5 Territorial Institutions.
It The penitentiary, the Miners Hosp
If tai, the Asylum for the Insane and th
l. Reform School are by the Constitutio
r made state institutions. The Insan
n Asylum has been run within its apprt
S, priation. The penitentiary for man
el years has not been able to get alon
n with its appropriations and earning
Ie and an increased appropriation is ur|
lr ed. The Reform School demands sp,
n cial attention so that it may in trut
e. become reformatory from whic
10 youths go forth fitted for life and wit
wholesome ideas. These institution
should be under a single board.
greater number of convicts should
S. employed on public road work a
though results in the past have NJ
III been altogether satisfactory. A CO..
vict farm is recommended by tf
warden.
1) Banking.
# The failure of banking institution
in recently has been detrimental not on
of to depositors and those who investe
of but also to the communities, I'll
'e. banking board or commission to co
ne sist of the governor, state treasure
nd and attorney general should be CT
ge ated and would involve no expense
on the state except for necessary cleric
hire. Compiled Laws, Section 254,
violated by firms and individuals d
ing banking business unauthoriz
|c by law and the offense should be ma,
criminal and punished with impriso
n, ment.
I. County Salaries.
Cd. The constitution directs the legis
as ture to fix the salaries of county O
,il. GERS. A fair adjustment should
bv made, reasonable compensation shou
al be given officers without imposing {
Id cessive burdens on the tax payers, t
salaries to be similar to those paid
other states or in private business
Assessment.
" The message calls attention to gl
ing inequalities in assessment, viii
an) in some instances in the same co,
her ties' assess some property at its
,ne cash value and other property at lt
ah. than five per cent of the value. T
lily law prescribing cash valuation