The Tucumcari news and Tucumcari times. [volume] (Tucumcari, N.M.) 1907-1921, 1917-01-11

Mexico state legislature is now under
way. The machinery has been adjust
ed. bearing oiled and the engine put
in frst-class running order. The steer
ing gear at this time is working well
and the road seems to stretch out into
n well-graded boulevard ahead. What
ruts. stones and chock holes may be
encountered after the first turn is
reached no one dares predict, but just
now the going Is fine and the passen-
gers are in exceedingly good spirits.
The most noticeable thing about the
legislative situation, so far as surface
appearance 20 today, is the spirit Of
cancellation that seems to actuate the
leading men Of both parties. A strik-
ing evidence Of this was seen today
when Governor de Baca, compelled by
his physician to remain in his room
at st. Vincent's sanitarium, sent for
his political opponent, Lieutenant Gov
ernor Lindsey, and requested him to
read the gubernatorial message to the
Joint session Of the legislature which
will be held at II o'clock tomorrow
morning. Mr.. Lindsey highly appre-
ciative of the courtesy, promptly sig
nified his compliance with the Gov
ernor's request: The message was in
part as follows:
The Government of State requires
from those entrusted with its manage.
ment. the same careful. conscientious
and economical consideration, as from
one charged with the conduct of his
own or any other line Of business.
When a majority of the Legislative
Assembly is of different political
complexion from that Of the Execu.
tive, the temptation is great to de-
vote much time of the session to the
passage Of laws attempting to deprive
the Executive Department of the pow.
er Of appointment. trust this As.
sembly will have more lofty ideal OF
its duty.
So long as our aim Is for laws Civ.
ing some individual or party advant.
age, just so long will we have a shift
ing and changeable legal system. Ev.
cry two years large portion of ths
statutes wi be changed or repealed
and n new yet enacted to take theil
the law is and the work Of our Court,
in interpreting it, is largely nulified
A law to be Of value should be Ger.
tain, and when once made plain oi
meaning by an Interpretation Of the
Courts. ought not to be changed or re.
pealed except from considerations OF
the highest necessity.
A few of our laws are antiquatet
and out of place on our statute books
These should be replaced by statutes
framed after those laws, which by ex.
perience have been found to work
well, in States whose conditions are
similar to our own. There are other
laws which need to be strengthened ir
soma Of their weak places; Others
whose meaning should ne made plair
and certain where it is now ambigu.
Gus; and still others where there is O
real or apparent conflict between diff.
ferent portions Of the same law, OF
between portions of the laws existing
nj the time of their enactment. These
conflicts ought to be removed by prop.
er legislation.
IL we shall he wise and patriotic
enough to devote the sixty days Of thi,
session to the accomplishment of thes,
ends. we will have earned for our
selves the encomium, "Well done thou
good and faithful servant" and for
our State place among the progres
sive and forward looking States Of tn,
Union.
The question whether we should con
tinue to license the saloon or prohibit
the sale of Intoxicating liquors entire
ly, has been agitated among us fol
some time. At every session of tn,
Legislative Assembly il is brought
up and enters into the discussion anC
consideration of all important politi
cal measures. The question is one o.
morals entirely. and should be speed
: lily removed from the domain of poll
! tics. No man has the moral right u
! legislate the saloon into State o.
community. IL it be against the wishes
of majority Of its inhabitants. Th
Two dominant political parties have de
clared in their platforms in favor o
! mn early submission of the matter h
II vote of the people of the State.
, recommend, therefore, that you TAX
: the action necessary to submit to
: vote of the people, at the earliest pos
sible date, the question whether OF no
our Constitution should be so amende'
! as forever to prohibit the sale of in
toxicating liquors within the limits o
this state.
, The present election law should b
, repealed. A free and untrammele,
! ballot is the very foundation upol
government. Take away or interfer
with this right, and our free institu
tions are undermined, and in thei
/. place is built up monarchical form o
!, government. There is an urgent nee
; that this Assembly pass modern an
= comprehensive election law, which vii
secure to every voter the right to cas-
: his ballot in secrecy as his best jude
< ment dictates, and free from inter
: ference or intimidation on the part c
the so-called political workers. Tn