The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1915-02-27


cadcnt days 81 distrust Of men IN
= public Office and Of men IN state
legislatures % turn 60 the simple,
trustful faith Of ftalph c. Ely. chair
man Of the Republican state commit
tee. in the honor Of his Republican
associates and IN his belief that they
propose 70 carry ont their pledges 20
the people.
Mr., Ely. IN an Interview given 70
the Herald yesterday. pointed out two
very grave defects In the Republican
salary law. Of which N Is that the
county officers are required to 40 no
work and the other that through the
provisions Of section 80 the Repub-
~licans. IL they carry out their solemn
promise to the people as regards tax
alton. VIII automatically force all the
counties Of this state into the first
class In 1917. when for four years
thereafter we viii be forced TO pay
all county officers IN tins state the
salaries fixed Ia the majority meas
ure for the first class counties: a
condition which would bankrupt most
of the counties.
Mr.. Ely assumes that this latter
defect OF the salary measure viii be
corrected; for he ssum also that
his fellow Republicans IN the leeisla-
ture win carry out their pledges as
regards taxation.
II Is here that Mr.. Eiys chiidlike
faith is most fully exhibited. or per
haps we overestimate that admirable
quality In the Republican state chair
man. He has been out Of the state
for three weeks OF more. n when
his Interview was given had been but
a day or two at home. Perhaps he
had not yet had time I O inform him
self as Go the development OF AKA
tion legislation In the legislature.
Perhaps Mr.. Ely does not know that
since he left New Mexico three weeks
ago the Republican managers Of this
legislature have decided definitely TO
abandon all pretense at Keeping their
promise on taxation and Is need OF
the strong, efficient taxalon commits
sion, with ~pienary powers. which Il
promised us last fall. Il has deter
mined 20 give Us a re-enactment OF
the old. weak and easily evaded
board OF equalization system OF the
territorial days. a system under which
taS-dodging was a pastime for the
rich and powerful. and a painful.
constant labor for the poor. lest they
In bearing the whole burden OF the
state be taxed to death.
How can Mr.. Ely have such faith
in the party men who have Just open
ly and f~lagrantly violated another
solemn pledge to the people in the
salary outrage2 Mr. Ely knows that
his party promised the people "reas-
onable" county salaries. and he
knows that the salaries fixed in his
hill are not only not reasonable"
but that they are outragcously "un-
reasonable"
n In the fac Of this salary meas
ure Mr.. Ely has still any faith that
the Republican managers Of this as
sembiy propose 10 enact a taxation
and wen system such as they
promised W In their platform, we
urge him TO make n half hours care
full inquiry among the members ana
the leaders In the legislature, as 10
what In proposed there in taxation
law Tor this state: and knowing the
Republican state chairman to bc hon
est and fearless. we suggest hat he
will find out the facts. should he
determine Ia pursue this inquiry We
suggest to him that he wear crepe
upon his arm for his beautiful, trust
ful faith; for when he comes out Of
his Investigation the aforesaid child
like faith will be dead.