New Mexico state record. (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1914-19??, 1917-02-02
LEGISLATURE WANTS INFORMATION
FROM MANY OF STATE DEPARTMENTS
THOUGH NEARLY THREE HUNDRED BILLS HAVE
BEEN OFFERED, ONLY ONE HAS PASSED.
DE BACA COUNTY TO HAVE HARD SLED
DING. TAXATION AND FENCES ARE PROM.
NENT

Over a third of the legislators ses-
sion has been completed. One bill,
that referring to the salary and mile.
age of members and the salaries OF
employees has passed.
A total Of 2s6 bills were introduc-
ed in both houses up to Wednesday
Of this week. OF these 1903 origin
ated in the senate, and l53, just 4
half hundred more in the house.
The important matters to come
before the session are probably all
represented in the matter so far pre-
sented, with the exception of ap-
preparations for the various state
institutions. which may not be ex-
pected until toward the end of the
session. The finance committees
give evidence of very careful work
in this regard, and the proposals to
come from them will no doubt be
along the lines of the greatest care
and thought yet recommended to a
New Mexico legislature. Some
rather surprising suggestions as to
the passing off of certain cducation-
al institutions allowances, may be
expected. Concentration among the
schools, and solidifying the courses
in given colleges, with resultant
saving in money to the state, is an
imminent possibility. Recommended
tions for increased taxation are ex-
pected to grow out of the quandary
which has arisen over state Off
cials salaries, and the deplete con-
dition of the state funds.
TLss % . lnn, fot t.,ro of eaarrh iucn In
quiry, to Judge by the several reso-
buttons offered asking for informa-
tion from state departments. Al
most everyone has been asked to
"pungle up" what he knows about
the state finances in his own pro-
vince. In addition to the land Of
flee resolution, previously recorded,
is one calling on the management
of the state institutions to tell how
much Of their permanent endowment
funds have been spent for perna-
nent improvements or borrowed
for Temporary purposes.
A resolution levelled at the state
loan board, to show how they have
invested money in their care, is a
product of this week. Still another
goes dItCE tuC SouHtiCS, u tSu TIC
extent to which they have redeem
ed their bonded Indebtedness. and
the amount Of bonded indebtedness
still outstanding. All these origin
ated in the senate. The purpose of
these resolutions, as intimated
above, is to get information to lay
before the finance committees, and
the result will in all likelihood be as
stated-increased taxation.
This is one of the "moves" recogni-
zed as timely and inevitable by the
big men of the session. The "busi-
ness legislature" would abolish de-
ficits in state funds, and the conse-
quent incoveniences and cramping
of state forces. The fact has be-
come generally recognized that a
state government must cost more.
and it is along this line that the le-
gislature must progress. THE state
cannot permanently continue on a
deficiency basis" said close stud
ent of the progress of events. This
might we'll be the motto of the pre-
sent legislature, from the bent they
are taking.
Economy is being urged at the
same time, and no move will be
appropriated or authorized than is
justified by the practice of efficien-
~ in public work
Prohibition.
The prohibition amendment which
will be voted on by the Senate Fri
day afternoon, is satisfactory to the
majority of forces seeking prohibi
tion enactment 1t can scarcely
fail of passage in the senate. An
inkling of what the house may do is
in an ex-officio statement
Of member of the house commit
tee on constitutional amendments,
to the effect that the house will have
an opportunity to vote on the same
amendment as introduced in the
senate.
The topic of prohibition continues
to be the center of interest from
the standpoint of public attention. 1t
will continue so until its final dis
position by the legislature. That
the bill which will be passed will
closely resemble the senate substi-
tute above referred to. there is little
doubt. That there will be a strug-
gle worthy of the name when the
bill comes up for vote in the house
is also a matter it takes no seer to
see. Rumors of a determined wet
lobby are frequent and consistent.
The dry lobby can be encountered
at any turn of'the capitol corridors,
earnest and equally determined. The
state w. c. T. u. has declared con-
spicuously that it will not work for
short of a thoroughly des-
sicated resolution, but other tenn
perance- workers have taken the
practical stand before the public