Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1913-02-09
Democrats and Republicans
Unite with ProgressiyeS in
Denouncing Bill introduced
by Finance Committee.
SUBSTITUTE LIKELY TO
BE PRESENTED SOON
Scheme is to Pay officers Flat
Sum and Then Provide Them
with Deputies at Expense of
Community, If Needed,
Istaie oapIIaI Rureau Of Morning .ioarnali

Estate Capital Bureau of Morning tonrnal !
Santa Fe, Feb. S--fhe belief has
grown steadily today that the salary
measure introduced Wednesday by the
finance committees cannot be passed,
and those members who We're former
ly ardent supporters OF the bill are
now gradually deserting IL to listen to
petitions and complaints regarding
particular salaries and to frame
amendments for those provisions.
Sentiment In the senate Is far strong
or against the bill than was at first
estimated. and the feeling IN Che house
is not losing any ground as time goes
on.
II was 10 consider the salary ques-
tion that the house adjourned yester-
day Ever since the adjournment the
salary bill has been the principal topic
Of conversation in all the little groups
of legislators that may be observed in
the hotel l0hbies and corridors and
elsewhere about the capital.
Following hard on its heels in the
race for attention Is the bin which II
is said the democrats propose TO in
troduce early next week This bin is
based upon different scheme from
the measure now before the house. in
that II proposes flat salary for all
principal officers and the payment BY
state or county Of such deputies as
they may need 10 properly conduct
the business OF their offices
A third scheme Is now being advo-
e.itra. - autdOish.p being attributed
to H. O. Bursum. This Is to the gem
eral effect that there be made twenty
six classificatlDns, one for each eoun-
Is. aud that the senator's and repre-
sentatives from each county insert the
salaries they think proper for their
counties This measure would then
he submitted to the houses for their
approval 1t Is felt in some quarters
that this II Impractical and in others
that it would afford too great an op-
portunity for fat salaries. so that it is
generally iacking in support from any
considerable faction. IT may be taken
mp later in the very improbable
event that the democratic bill should
fail Of passage and approval. but
there is little likelihood of this.
The senate lineup is now about as
follows
For the bill, eight republicans and
two democrats II any salaries are
raised in the house, one of these Will
be lost as he is opposed to higher
salaries. Against the bill. four demo-
Gratis who say so and one who says he
is for it: two progressives. six sure
and one doubtful republican.
In the house the schedule for the
bill is eighteen republicans and three
democrats. Against the bill. thirteen
democrats, possibly fourteen. and
enough republicans and progressives
to make up twenty-eight. the balance
Of the house
1t must not be interpreted that be-
cause there are so many votes against
the present bill that the same figures
will stand for the democratic bill.
There are many who are against the
present bill because it is too high in
some instances There are a few who
oppose 1t because II is too low. And
the main opposition, Of course. comes
from the democratic faction which
wants 10 pass a bill that will meet it's
own ideas and, II Is said, those Of the
governor 1t can be pretty definitely
stated that the governor will not sign
the salary bin now before the houses.
even should plans for defeating II fail
and IT be passed. 1t cannot be passed
over his veto unless conditions under
go revolution The governor has
declared himself as favoring the pay
ment of salaries to the men who earn
them. not to the officeholders.
1t is upon this plea that the demo-
Gratis want to pass their bill They
claim that when introduced it will be
found to be fair to all taxpayers and
officeholders included. They point
with scorn at the committee bill,
which allows the clerk of Edy county,
whose office brings in $4,000 in fees
each year. a salary of SS,250. and ex-
pect him to do business on that sum.
Bernalillo county is another that they
claim is treated unfairly in the pres
ent bill. so far as the clerks office is
concerned. And there are countless
other instances over which they unite
in the opinion that the bill is a bad
one.
Aside from discussion Of the salary
question and a few committee meet
ings. things today were quiet. Neither
house was In session and but few COM
mittees held meetings The finance
committees Of both houses this morn
ing heard the heads of the various
educational institutions. who have
been in conference here for two days
Some of them asked for apropria-
tions, others failed to name definite
sum. II Is understood. however, that
the total amount which the institu-
tions desire appropriated for them il
a eood deal larger than it was last
year