The chronicle=news. (Trinidad, Colo.) 1898-current, 1915-01-02
n. N. LEGISLATURE
PLANS ADOPTION
IMPORTANT LAWS

are expected to form the chief sub
jects of legislation by the second
state legislature of New Mexico
which convenes here January -.
Both subjects We're keenly debated
at the. last session of the legislature
and were issues in the recent state
campaign. The adoption, at the No.
vember election of constitutional
amendment abolishing the state
board of equalization, removes the
central tax adjusting body and the
board which fixes the valuation OF
national banks, railroads and other
corporate property and live stock. A
bill to create state tax commission
with power to inaugurate more
uniform system of assessment, will
probably be considered. A strong
movement in favor of lower tax
rate is afoot.
The question OF salaries for county
officers was left unsettled by the last
legislature. The Republicans passed
the measure. but it was vetoed by
Governor Macdonald. who held that
the figures were too high. The new
legislature is also controlled by the
Republicans and another deadlock is
also not unlikely
A bill providing for the consolida-
tion of the various state educational
Institutions is also being framed. The
consolidation if affected. would re-
duce tie teaching force by about one
fourth A similar bill was defeated
by small majority at the last ses-
sion and the question is expected to
precipitate lively fight The Uni
versity OF New Mexico is now To-
Gated at albuquerque; the state COL
lege is at Las Cruces: the military
institute is at Roswell and state nor
NAL schools are located at Las Vegas.
Silver City and FL Rito.
Recommendations for legislation
made in the reports of the various
state officials include one by the
state corporation commission to ex-
tend the scope of its powers to cover
all public service companies; to re-
wise the present corporation laws. es-
pecially with reference to the incor-
poration of irrigation concerns. The
secretary of state urges a general re-
vision of the state laws. He also
asks for an appropriation of $4,000
to be used in gathering and dissent
mating resource statistics by his Of
flee.
Better facilities for the eXtermina-
ton of predatory animals: license
fees for fishermen: closed season on
bear and protection of doves are
among the recommendations OF the
state game warden.
The state superintendent of public
instruction urges revision or the
educational laws and an increased
Appropriation for additional help in
his office. Tie attorney general also
asks for another assistant and an in
creased appropriation for other eN-
penses
The secretary of state recommends
more rigid enforcement of the
weights and measures act and asks
that the sheriff of each county be
made county inspector.
Curtailment of the powers of the
travelling auditors office is being
sought by Republicans who. in the
state platform, referred to the activi-
ties of this office as 'pernicious
meddling' This office has conducted
Investigations into the accounts of
many counties and, in some instances,
removal of county officers has fol-
lowed
A movement has also been started
to bring about the repeal OF the state
libel law which a number of editors
nave declared TO be vague and suscep-
tible of serious abuses. A proposed
substitute measure will probably he
offered
The personnel of the state senate
Will consist of IL Republicans.
Democrats and Progressive. The
new house of representatives consists
Of - Republicans. s Democrats, one
Socialist and one Progressive.
Contests involving four seats m
the house have been filed In Union
county Judge o. r. Toombs. Republic
can candidate for reelection, and
Candelario Vigil Republican, are
contesting the seats of G. G. Smith
and Serapio Romero. Democrats. In
Sandoval county. Eleuterio Leyba.
Republican. is contesting the seat of
Celso Sandoval, Progressive. In Ber-
nalillo county, Modesto Ortiz. Repub-
lican. is contrasting the election of
Rafael Garcia, Democrat.
The chief candidates for speaker
are Secundino Romero of San Mi
Suel county, Nestor Montoya of Ber-j
nalillo county. Malaquias Martinez
If Taos county. all Republicans. A.
4 b. Renehan of Santa Fe is mention
ed as a possible compromise who
would be more acceptable to the
Democrats.
NOTICE.
U~~