New Mexico state record. (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1914-19??, 1916-09-29
OTER0 ADMINISTRATION SIDELIGHTs

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In view of the perfect purity which he now
assumes it is well to raise the curtain which
time and the forgetfulness of busy man has
woven between the present and the eventful
years that ushered in the new century. In the
interest of a fair campaign based only on the
public records and regulations of the men who
now aspire to assume control of the helm and
guide the ship of state, it becomes necessary to
remind the longtime residents and inform the
newcomers of the conditions which obtained at
the time Miguel A. Otero directed the policies
of the territory. dictated the enactments of
legislatures, and imposed upon the taxpayers
one Of the most eXtravaoant. autOcratic and
corrupt reigns of coercion ever p~racticed by
a carpctbagger on the American continent.
The democratic sneakers have cvinced a de
sire to have the campaign conducted upon the
records of contcStinp candidates.
While the State Record believes the inter
ests of the peonle of thc state, the intellect Of
the rising generation. the reputation of the
commonwealth and the efficiency of the con-
duct of public affairs, would be far better
served by a discussion Of political PRINCIPLES
and constructive measures, we do not hesitate
for one minute to accent the challenge to make
tHC 1CNOl'tS Vi tIA NbiNillltNo tiN lFo''N
The records Of Mcdonald, of Otero, Of
Jones, of De Baca, and minor candidates on
the democratic ticket, are anything but clean
and wholesome, and since they have elected to
make that the issue it becomes the duty Of the
republican press, in fairness to the voter, to
present them as they are found.
From The Capitol, a newspaper published
in Santa Fc in 1901, by Col. w. M. Berger,
now of Bclen, New Mexico, we quote the fol
lowing:
"Sec. 1855, Of the u. S. Revised Statutes,
absolutely forbids any increase in the salary Of
a territorial governor by the legislature. The
last legislature Of New Mexico passed a bin
(sec chap. 90, Of the laws of 10oI) which be
sides %appropriating $4,000 for a private sec
rotary, gives the governor $1,000 for cOntir
gent expenses, for which no account or vouch-
ers are required.
"Thc governor already had $500 for con-
tingent expenses, and $500 for an interpreter
from the United States. All expenses OF light
ing heating, %ja4litor, etc, of the governors
office are paid for by the capitol commission
board. There is no possible way in which lc-
gitimate contingent expenses can now be used
beyond the U. S. appropriation, The private
secretary being provided for by the INCREASED
appropriation of $1,000. The whole $4,000 is
practically an increase in salary to the govern
or, and being paid to him direct. If for legiti-
mate expenses of the office it would have been
paid to him as governor, on vouchers or ac-
counts showing the items of contingent ex-
penscs in detail, as all public officials accounts
Of this character should show.
Governor Otcro as governor officially ap-
proved the above bill, which practically gives
to him $3,ooo.oo in addition to his lawful sal
airy Of $1,000; contrary to the provisions Of
section 1855 of the u. S. Revised Statutes"
OFFICIAL
From the official records of the offices Of
The territorial auditor and treasurer and from
the territorial statutes, we republisll the fol
lowing:
assessed Misunderstanding of.
1900 S45.1opHHI
1901 .~---..~.-.. .~.~~.~..~..~~~ $780, 500.
Ten yearslate r, Notwithstanding sheep and
wool are much higher, and there is a great in
crease in cities, railroads, etc,
1000 -..~~-..~~~ ~. $3S,II5,2O0
1901 38,a27S79I
Rate Of Territorial Taxaton.
1906, before Otero ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. IT'S mills
1901, after a. 70 mills
Territorial Salary Lists.
Comparison Of Arizona and New Mexico.
Arizona, 1000 1858
New MEXICO, 1900 Observation-Disclosures 4I,423i
New Mexico, 1901 Observation-Disclosures. 44,S5Ol
Besides $4,000 contingent expenses.
Expense of Governors office Doubled.
1906, before Otero-
Salary So, 10000
Clerical aid 10000
Contingent Exp, U. S. 5oo.oo|
Contingent Exp, Territory ~--~~ 10000
Total 10000
1901, Under Otero,
(See Chapter 90, Laws 1oo1.)
salary O.OOI
Clerical aid 10000,
Private secretary --------~~------. 1900. 90
Contingent Exp, u. S. 10000
Contingent Exp, Territory -----.- ~3.oooooI
Total ---$8,2oo 1000 ,