New Mexico state record. (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1914-19??, 1917-03-16

Press comment on the session o
the legislature just completed indi.
Gates from all portions of the state
general satisfaction with the re.
A curious after math in the mat
ter of public opinion is the praise
bestowed by such papers as the Al
buquerque Morning Journal upon
Holm. O, Bursum and others for
activity in lobbying before the Third
State Legislature.
Many papers unite in praise OF
the lobbyists and nearly overlook
the principal element that is res
ponsible for the merit of the legis-
iative term. That "factor" is the
members themselves.
To large extent green hands"
the public had come to look upon
them, even before the session be-
gan as a body Of men from whom
the unexpected might be expected
The people Of the state geneally did
not expect to find so much initia-
tive among the members, and now
that the business like session is at
an end the press is seeking some
outside explanation of its success.
Give credit to whom credit is due
green hands" as to how to go about
the work there were in plenty, but
men willing to give the state their
best, and men whose practical ex-
perience in many walks of life fit
ed them to declare what is for the
good of the people of the state,
tan,elafnrc xsrh ~
New Mexico now has to thank for
what has been done.
In passing, the loud proclamations
of the daily press as to what the
"tobbics" have done for the state,
may well be the subject of analys-
is. Lobbies thee always have been
Had the session turned out worse,
the lobbyists would probably not
have received the amount of men
ton that they have.
Formerly lobbies have not result
I'd in such benefits to the state.
Formerly the legislature may have
been composed of more experienced
legislators, but the influence of the
iobbies whether sinister or benefi
cial. was as evident as now.
The Record after sizing up the
fists of senators and representatives
before the beginning of the term,
said several things. That the ses-
sion would be a clear one, That
comparatively few bills would be
passed. That the legislature would
be reasonable in spending public
money. That taxation and revenue
would be aided so far as is possible
by legislative enactment, thereby
establishing more firmly the credit
Of the state.
The Record was early to declare
this a business session" and to
foresee the passage of one COM
prehensive road bill. the prohibi-
lion submission resolution the two
new counties (though we rather ex-
oected the creation of third).
In retrospect, all of the above
may be taken as recapitulation
Of the outstanding events of the
past two months.
The net results of the session
which will be found listed at the
end of the article-are of added
interest in view of the series of
events which occurred during the
session and which operated to pro-
duce a unified state government
under the direction of the Republi-
can party. including governor, ma
Torities in both houses, and finally
through governmental appointment.
throughout all institutions and de- |
oartme nts of the state.
History will not record that New
Mexico was on the verge of Dem |
ocratic domination, nor the careful
preparation which the members of
that party entered into, to secure
state boards and offices.
The sick governor is now laid
at rest amid funeral demonstrations
that marked the high personal es-
TEEN in which the people of the
state held their chief executive /,
While that upright man remained
the titular head of the common
wealth, cancuses of the leading
members of his party were work.
ing in his name to perpetuate their
nominees in position of control in
the state.
Uncertainty was encountered at
every turn. Administrative matters
were uppermost in public interest,
legislative matters Jagged. For the
first month or one-half, of the ses-
sion only one bill was passed This
was the perfunctory one which pro-
vided payment of the expenses of
the session. /;
The only other bill that was near
4 vote at the time, was the SALARY 1
transfer bill' dictated also by neces-
sity, because many state officers and ,
heir deputies had been waiting for
months without pay.
Prohibition, because Il was ad- (
soeated equally by both parties, and ;