Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1913-01-24
THE LEGISLATURE.

nAh 1tN-N Nh0 NRHi
dition Of the state, and telling what
he thought was necessary.
The rest OF the week was spent in
pow WOW and the introduction Of
bills. One OF the most important OF
the bills introduced was by Senator
Pankey, Of Santa Fe, to reform our
assessment system. He does way en-
tirely with the county assessors and
provides for an assessment board OF
twelve members, TO be appointed by
the governor, not more than six Of
whom shall belong to the same pol
itical party, n third Of them to go
out Of office every two years. The
assessment board is to divide the state
into districts, and assign one to each
member, who shall not be a resident
Of the district. He shall put in all
his time, going over the district, and
locating property. He shall make the
assessment at the actual cash value of
the property. The members are to
meet and compare notes, and If any
man got his valuations to low or too
high the board can rectify the assess
ment. They are TO have aids and
clerks In the different counties. The
present assessors shall serve their
time out, and then the office is to be
abolished. Wise men say it is a good
proposition, the members of the board
will have to do their duty or get fired.
If they do their duty the property In
the state will be equitably assessed,
every n will pay the proper amount
OF taxes, and no n will pay more
than his share.
The bill providing for the salaries
OF county officials is being attended
to. A joint committee has the bill in
charge. 1t is intended to put it
through in time so that If the gov
ernor is not satisfied with it he can
veto it, and 1t can be taken up again
at this session.
Senator Walton introduced an in
itiative and referendum, resolution.
The senatorial question is exciting
much interest, and undoubtedly a
successor to Senator Fall will be ell
ected. Whether 1t will be Senator
Fall or some n else is the problem.
A resolution was introduced to begin
balloting for senator on the 2Ist, but
before 1t was voted on the legislature
adjourned owe Sunday.
A local option bill was introduced.
1t has the approval Of the professional
prohibitionists.
Sundry and numerous bills have
been introduced, but the printed Co
pies Of them have not yet made their
appearance.
Some of the legislators spent the
time between the adjournment Fri
day, and the meeting Monday in get
ting some bills ready. Monday there
were introduced resolutions provid,
ing for a constitutional amendment
for the recall Of all elective offices, to
approve the. amendment to the ma
tional constitution providing for the
election Of senators by a direct vote
Of the people. Bills providing for the
sterilizing of criminals, prohibiting
prize fights, providing for a state fair
at Albuquerque, providing for a state
mlneralogist were introduced.
Major Llewellyn introduced a re-
solution, reciting that New Mexico
had more coal than Pennsylvania,
that in southern New Mexico it re-
tails at sS so per ton; that the coal
miners complain they are making no
money; that the freight rates are
from 81 to 1885 per ton; that the re-
tail dealer makes a profit Of only 80
cents a ton, and provides for the ap-
pointment Of a committee to make
an investigation and report to the
legislature why the price is so high.
A white slave bill, as stringent as
the national law was introduced, also
a bill providing for the handling Of
public money, county, and municipal,
so that 1t shall draw interest, a bill
providing that saloons shall close at
midnight and providing that Sunday
shall last "a hours for saloon closing
purposes.
Tuesday there was introduced in
the house a resolution protesting
against bringing the Apaches back to
New Mexico.
The bill TO increase the powers Of
the probate court, making it a cross
between the justice and district
court, and providing the judge must
be a member of the bar, was tabled
indefinitely, the MeXicans all voting
against It, as many Mexicans, not
lawyers, T holding down jobs as
probate judges.
A bill has been introduced provld-
ing for the division Of some Of the
counties in the northeastern part Of
the state, and forming Sumner coun-
~. 1t is being fought by every mem
LM