Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1915-02-06
THE STATE COLLEGE PROBE.

The statement by Hepresentaliv,
y. O. Blood relative TO conditions re-.
quiring an investigation into the fail
ures Of the Tucumearl and Las Cru
ces banks aud the management Of the
agricultural college. was by no means
overdrawn.
There is possibility that not all Of
the statements REGARDING tho Las
Cruces situation are true II all were
true Il is hardly conceivable that Gov
ernor Mcdonald would have given
out the following statement;
"if Mr.. Blood's desire for the truth
had been equal to his partisan zeal,
and his knowledge OF the facts equal
20 his familiarity with street rnrnors.
he probably would not have been so
ready TO be the monthplece Of some
one less scrupulous but more dis
erect"
Either the Journal has boon much
m'sinformed or the investigation will
show that the scandal Is much Rraver
than indicated by Mr., Blood. In fact,
4 Is by far and away the most acand-
alous Incident that has occurred IN
the history Of New Mexico, which Is
putting II strong.
with tho motives of tho republicans
in ordering the Investigation. we have
no concern. We would regret TO be-
licve that the democrats would not
have ordered an Investigation. had
they been In the majority In both
houses OF the legislature.
10 say that Mr.. Mccanna has pre-
pared statement giving all the I'M
formation necessary. il nonsense,
Whatever statement MIR. Mecanna
has made has related TO the condl-
toms af the agricultural college, as he
found them. No one would expect
him 90 state the cause for those con-
ditioRR. The legislative investigation Is
for the purpose OF learning why the
First State bank failed, how the agri-
cultural college has been administer
"a. ana whether there has been mall
feaeanee OF misfensaprc of public Of
tieers IN connection Herewith.
II democratic officials have acted
in a manner that may he Of advant.
age TO the republicans, from parti-
san standpoint that Is the misfortune
Of the democratic party; not the
fault OF the republicans. What the
democrats should do was Indicated
by Judge Hewitt when he said y am
IN favor of fnlr and run lnyesliea-
tion Of this matter | am ready 60 eo-
operate. If there Is blame 20 be at
taehed 10 the governor, the travelling
auditor, or any other, | want all the
facts to become known to the people |
Of New Mexico, let the blame fall
where II may"
Ia the scandal to be Investigated |
there are those who cannot be eX-
cubed even with the severe coudemna-
iipm Of negligence. There are others
who may have done nothing WORSE
than to refuse to iolIow the plain path
of duty for The protection OF the state
and bank depositors when TO have
done 40 would have been disturbing
TO some friendly democrats
We understand that the investiga-
ton Of the travelling auditor made
about year ago. disclosed that the
president OF the First state bank and
members OF his family had borrowed
from the Institution 100000. Il is said
That of the $4,000 capital stock the
president OF the bank and his family
owned un amount representing a cash
outlay OF only $4,000 They we're
eiten ninety DAYS in which 10 reduce
or secure the Indebtedness Instead
81 complying the Indebtedness was
Increased BY s07O0O and no travel. |
ins auditor made any further in
auiry into the affairs Of the instltu.
ton until after IFS doors were closed
December ., last
Although one surety company had
secured It's release from Morean
tAewcllyn's bond as treasurer Of the
college board Of regents. and another
was sceElng Tor release, about SIS, 900
Of college funds were allowed TO be
deposited IN the bank near and fol-
lowing the opening Of the school
year
Can any democrat doubt that these
alleged facts, alone. call Cor an inyes-
tigationg
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