El Nuevo mexicano., 1916-08-24

State the laws enacted since state
hood and now in force, increasing the
facilities Of education in the State and
equalizing the burdens Of taxation by
requiring every dollars value OF prop.
erty in each county to share equally
the payment Of taxes for that pur-
pose.
Taxation
In particular we endorse the limit
ations placed upon taxation by chap
tiers 54 and IA laws of 1915. 1t has
been too frequently the experience OF
other states that higher and more
equitable assessments have only pro-
duced higher general levels OF taxa
tipn-that rates have lowered as
valuations advanced. BY this means
all the efforts to better taxation con
ditions have only resulted in heavier
burdens. Chapter 81 lowered the
maximum tax rates while providing
for higher assessments, chapter "a
placed a limit upon the increase Of
taxes as well. This places New Mex
leo In the front rank of the states in
tax legislation and makes 1t the only
State in the Union possessing model
tax limit laws as recommended by the
National Tax Association.
The limitations on taxes must be
supplemented by limitations upon
public debts. Debts may be limited
by a percentage upon the assessed
valuation OF better by limitation upon
the amount of increase which may
lawfully be contracted. In all cases
there should be an explicit prohibf
ton of bond issues designed to eyade
the limitations imposed upon tax
leyies.
We pledge ourselves to the enact.
ment of legislation which will ad-
eQuately safeguard the limitations on
taxes already enacted and still furth-
er mark New Mexico as the foremost
state in the union in matters of tax
reform.
American national appropriations
have always been made without re-
gard to any proper budgetary pro-
cedure. In national affairs our party
is pledged to a reform of the evils
which in the judgment of a most dis
tinguished member of u party cause
a waste of $780, 100000 annually in
Federal appropriations. Our candid
ate for president has strongly endors-
ed this program and Its early adop-
ton in National affairs is to be ex-
pected after the election of a Repub-
lican president, supported by a Re-
publican Congress.
Executive Budget System
In state affairs appropriation pro-
cedure has followed national proceed
ents. State appropriations need a.
plan and a direction from the re-
sponsible executive as much as do ma
tional appropriations. State taxes
need limits set as closely as county
and municipal taxes. This united
plan and executive direction can be
secured through a budget submitted
to the legislature by the governor, a
practice followed uniformly In every
civilized nation except our own. To
the adoption of such a budget plan
made permanent through a constitu-
tional amendment we pledge Dur ef-
forts in the next legislature.
FINALLY we pledge ourselves to leg
islation which will secure a full and
complete collection of all taxes law
fully and equitably assessed. Inc
quality in the collection or taxes is as
great an evil as inequality in the as
sessment of taxes.
Roads
I'VE regard the construction and
maintenance of roads as the most
vitality important work now requiring
our attention. Millions of dollars of
Federal funds for this purpose have
been ap%portioned to New Mexico, to
be matched by millions of State
funds. The selection of the roads to
be improved, the character of the inn
proyement, and the expenditure Of
the money are left with the State
Highway Commission.
We favor, therefore, such changes
as will prevent favoritism and secure
to each section and county and town
ship Of our State its rightful share Of
the road-funds.
The Governor should not be "a mem
Der of the State Highway Commits
sion. The number should be increas-
ed from three to five, no two to be /
from the same Judicial district. Aft
er deducting the expenses of the I
State Highway Commission, the dis
tribution of all State and Federal
Road Funds should be regulated by
and unless otherwise required 4
by the Federal Secretary Of Agricul. I
ture, should be expended upon ! rea-
sonable basis between the counties.
We recognize the transcendent i'm :
p~ortance of the two great ocean to /
ocean roads crossing our State, the !
National Old Trails and the South !
ern National Hfghway, and pledge tol !
the several states traversed by these
roads, and to the Federal Govern s
ment, our cooperation in the i'm !
proyement and maintenance of these 3
roads as National Highways.
We recognize the Importance also
the north and south lines Of travel
N our State following our great val
eys, and pledge our efforts to the e
improvements of these roads. In the
creation of the road system OF this
state the end in view is to connect
VI centers Of population, to link all !,
producing areas with their market :
md to render accessible to tourists I
'ur m~atchless scenic regions ana our ].
Places of historic and archaeological !
interest. +
Prohibition
The Constitution Of New Mexico re-
loses the source of all political power D
n the people of this State; recoeniz- tt