The chronicle=news., 1915-01-13

Santa l'c. N. NJ Jan -. Cover
nor William G. McDonald's message
TO the second New Mexico legislature
was presented at Il Joint session OF the
house and scnat" today. The mess
age dealt with numerous matters per-
tanning to the conduct of government
affairs in the state and recommends
a large amount of legislation
Wider powers for III" corporation
commission: the establishment of
board of immigration; closer super
vision OF state educational and penal
Institutions: revision of the statutes
Siricicr enforcement Of The liquor
laws. a higher rate of interest for
vublic funds: improvement OF high
ways: the enactment of workmcn $
compensation act: strengthening OF
the corrupt practices act and the ere
utiou of Il state tax commission are
among III" recommendations to the
legislature contained in the message.
The question Of standarhizing sal
aries of county officers and matters
pertaining to property assessment
and taxation are discussed at length.
Economy and efficiency in state gov
crnmoni is strongly urged in the
opening statements which are de-
voted to Il summary of The present
financial condition Of the STATE
Governor Mcdonald points to the
rapid growth of public schools for
New Mexico and urges such lcgisla-
tiCn as is needed 10 strengthen and
extend the system. He rcitcrates his
suggestion in II former message that
a board of regents be created to su-
ncrvisc and control all state cduCa-
tioual institutions. Close inspection
Of the state pcnitcntiary. better
reform school for boys with an in
dustrial school in connection there
with; an increased appropriation for
the state asylum for the insane and
the establishment of an institution
for delinquent girls and also the care
of detective and feeble minded is
urged State institutions. other than
educational. the governor believes.
should likewise be placed under the
management Of one board.
Upon the matter of state bauks the
governor urges the enactment of a
bill providing safety and security
FOR both investors and depOsitors. -"
The enactment of law requiring
that any public Improvements exceed
ing $500 in value be made by con-
tract to the lowest bidder is recon-
mended
Discussing the liquor question the
message says:
"Thc evils Of the liquor traffic as
to need much arGumpn; to convince
most people that our laws should be
better enforced. and that other re-
strictiOns and regulations be pro-
yidcd for controlling this traffic.
"" ought to have law torbidding
and prohibiting The sale Of iniuNicai-
ing liquors to any NiIla"" or com
munity of less than 500 population.
thcboundarius of such village or
community to be limited to one mile
sQuaIc No more than one saloon
snould he licensed in any village or
community not having a population
of more than 800. In places having
more than 800 hundred no more than
one license should b. granted for
each 80 people above the first 800. -"
Discussing election matters, the
governor advocare, the adoption of a
modified form Of the Australian bal
lot system Referring to the initia-
tive and referendum, the recall and
direct primaries. the message says:
These measures depend for their
successful issue upon the intelii-
genCe, III" wisdom, the sincerity OF
those who would exercise these gov
crnmcnt powers and privileges in he
half of themselves Modification Of
the present constitutional provision
for referendum and provision for tn"
initiative "on a fair basis is sug
G"sted. Direct primaries are urged
as "A means of doing away with oh
icctionable convention methods"
The governor also urges modification
Of the present objectionable libel
law, in a manner requiring that all
prosecution for libel be initiated in
the district in which the alleged
libel originates
On industrial legislation the mess
age says:
II believe the time has come when
the state should provide legislation
ter such compensation ior industrial
accidents as may be considered lust
to both labor and capital. employer
and employ" In this way alone can
the unfortunate" laborer and some
times equally Unlprtunat" emuloN"r
he protected from the parasite who
sNcculates on the mislOrtUnas Of
others"
Questions Of taxation ana revenue