Albuquerque evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1911-1914, 1912-04-11
a FINE START ron THE NEW
STATE.


Elected by the people OF New Mex
leo to discharge the important task
of making operative the new constl-
tuition and 10 provide the machinery
Of county ana state government for
tho commonwealth. the first state leg
islature thus far has lamentably
failed Of iis sworn and solemn duty
and has already made "A fair start
toward justifying the claims Of the
onemies OF New Mexico that we would
make a botch OF self government
The house Of Representatives this
week at Santa Fe has been the scene
OF one Of the most disgraceful exhi-
billions OF fragrant disregard for the
will OF the people ever seen In New
Mexico. II has been an exhibition
which makes every right thinking
New Mexican ashamed for his state,
The blot OF bribery scandal has
been followed, not by a wholesome
and prompt house-cleaning. but by
an orgy OF quarreling and petty po-
litical pickering which Is nauscating
60 every friend of the new state.
Largely at the Instigation OF a pro-
fessional politician from another
state seeking his own private and
personal ends. the speaker of the
house ana his friends have effected a
coalition with the avowed object OF
allowing a coterie OF politicians to
control legislation absolutely az their
own sweet will. Not only has this
combination Of thirty members sought
60 make legislative dummies out ct
the nineteen remaining members, but
~ has practically made dummies out
Of thirty-three members; IN other
words. the ways and means" com
mlttce OF thirty which is pledged 10
act as a unit will be dominated by
sixteen, majority OF It's members.
This In effect allows sixteen out OF
house OF the making OF the laws of
New Mexico or the prevention of the
passage OF laws.
This little clique OF men. Republic
cans and Democrats and so-caned
Progressive" has assumed to null
lify the election OF legislative repre-
sentatives from All over the state by
making them powerless 70 participate
In the proceedings OF the house.
seldom has such an outrageous
piece OF effrontery been witnessed In
the state.
IL will arouse the most Intense in
dignation In every part OF New Mex
ico among the people who have
chosen men 10 go 20 SANTA Pee 20 help
frame a set OF laws FOR the new state.
Az already pointed out by the Her
aid the direct expense OF this leglsla-
ture to the people viii amount 20
over S75.00o. A third OF that sum
has been spent: over a third OF the
ninety-day session has elapsed and
there Is not one single solitary piece
OF legislation 10 show for a. Mean
while tho state is In an anomalous
condition that menaces It's develop
ment and prosperity; without "a code
Of state laws and without provision
for carrying the constitution into
effect That the legislators IN the
face Of this situation should have the
hardihood TO spend their time Ia sat
isfying their private and political
Erudges Is fairly incredible.
The mass OF the people of New
Mexico care nothing about politicians
nor their private squabblcs they are
only mildly interested In the senator
iais ambitions OF the host of candi-
dates what they want Is state gov
eminent and they want IL az once.
Instead Of getting a wholesome
code OF laws for our money, we have
the pleasure of watching shameless
display Of ring rule and a cat and dog
fight between politicians.
Unless they want 10 proclaim 20 the
nation New Mexico's unntness for
self government. the members Of this
I"wayH ana means" outrage should
come 20 their sober senses quickly
and get busy. The people have had
enough Of this disgusting exhibition.