The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1914-12-17
\ HEAVY RESPONSIBILITY.

nNing tax valuations for 1915
upon railroads livestock and
other classes OF property. heretofore
liked by the state board OF cqualiza-
ton. calls attention again TO the al
most unparalleled expression ct ON
adcncc which a majority cI the Vot-
ers Of New Mexico at tho recent elec-
ton gave to the members of the next
New Mexico legislature and likewise
90 the heavy responsibility placed
upon them.
A majority Of the people voted TO
adopt the constitutional amendment
which abolished the board Of equal
ization. the only check OF ans kind
upon the legislature. 10 connections
with the taxing authority. At the
same time. this majority elected a
substantial. u not "a swo-thirds ma
jority 80 Republicans to tie house
OF Representatives. thus supplement-
ing the two-thirds majority OF Re-
NMNANNNNaH ~ NAf NNNAf H'AAAA'H NNN
giving To- the Republicans absolute
and unlimited power To- provide any
system Of taxation for this state
which il may see o. There are few
Instances In tho history of represent
atiye government in which the people
have placed themselves and their inn
mediate personal affairs SO wholly in
the hands Of their representatives,
The legislature may do exactly as Il
pleases with our taxation system. II
can give us a system wise or un-
wise. just or unjust II has IL IN IT'S
power 10 make the present dcplor-
able situation infinitely worse, or TO
give the state a tremendous forward
shove ON the highroad OF prosperity
ard development.
Upon top of this popular express
sion Of confidence comes yesterdays
action by the assessors Of the state.
who. having been advised 10y h at
torncy general that II is mandatory
upon them To- fix valuations, since
there is no other power, stu refuse
to do So and leave the hxins OF the
1915 valuations up TO the legislature.
Clearly the people and the peoples
officials wish To leave this whole vital
matter OF our taxation ia the hands
OF the legislature.
In view OF the situation outlined
above. Il is clt,4r that no legislature
In our whole history as territory and
state has had such confidence re-
posed In II. or SO heavy a RESPONSE
bility placed upon u. No legislative
action in M past has been so im-
portant a. the action Of the coming
LEGISLATURE upon our taxation system
viii be. The coming legislature can
and viii provide either a good sys-
tenn OF taxation or q bad one. II VII
head the state toward prosperity OF
the scrap heap.
The whole burden and the whole
responsibility wEn rest upon the re-
publican party. tor it, control Of th'
legislature will be practically abso.
lutte. n Is difficult % believe thai
in the face 90 such an expression u'
public confidence and before such Z
responsibility any interest a 81 that "
unseldsh. clean. aggressive interes
for the common welfare can prevail
II is difficult 20 believe that power
ful private interests, acting through
political bosses can prove effective u
the face OF such q situation Anon
American public men great respon
sibHity always has tended TO produce
responsible and unselfish acuou'H Re
ports that private interests intend 4
control his Legislature. through IN
Republican state machine. and shap
our axation legislation 90 the end O
their own protection should not b.
accepted too readily
The Herald's refusal to accept en-
many rumors OF contemplated effort
to explicit his legislature scd through
IL the people and the state, by larg
private interests, Is based upon thi
belief tina a situation which 80 pc"
erfully calls for unselfish' honest ae
tion viii receive that kind Of treat
ment. We believe Il best 10 wait 10
the evidence and hope for the best
THE PLACE FOB WAR MEMS.