Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1917-03-06
Republicans Stand SoIidIy for
Measure and Have Backing
of Three Democratic Sena-
tors,
BARTH'S OPPOSITION
IS MOST VIGOROUS
Charge Is Made That Politics
Is Back Of MeaSurei TaCti-
cal Amendments All Fail to
GO Through,
(By II. l.. ID. McAIlister, STAFF Corrc-
SpOndCnt)

Santa Fe, March 5.-Lea county is
almost as good as organized. The
house bill providing for its establish
mcnt was passed by the senate today
without amendment. The bill is now
ready for the signature of Governor
Lindsey and it. is believed that the
governor will sign it without delay.
Lea will be the twenty eighth county
in New Mexico and the second to be
established by the third state legisla-
turc, de Baca being the other.
The Lea county bill was not passed
until after a hard fight. More than
an hour of the time of the senate was
consumed in consideration of the va
rious amendments proposed to the bill
and In the discussion that followed
the motion that "it do now pass" Sen
ator Gallegos, chairman of the com
mttce on private, county and muniri-
pal corporations, led the fight for the
passage of the bill while Senator
Isaac Barth and Senator Skeen were
most vigorous in opposition to it.
Barth Back in Form.
It was evident that the word had
been passed out that the new county
should be created. The only hope of
the opponents of the bill was TO
amend it and in that way there was
a chance that amendments might not
be concurred in by the house and that
the bill would be lost in the eleventh.
hour rush.
The advocates of the bill, however,
were wen organized, and one amend
ment after another was voted down.
the count being in all cases ID to 8 in
favor of the motion to table the pro-
posed amendment one amendment
proposed to leave the creation of the
new county to a referendum vote of
the people of the territory affected
and on this amendment Senator Barth
made his most strenuous stand.
1t was apparent that Mr.. Barth
was back in his old-time form. With
only few days left of the session
and no opportunity for the hearing OF
the contest against him instituted by
w. II. Chrisman, the Bernalillo coun-
ty senator seemed to feel that the
shacklcs had been stricken from his
fettered limbs and that he was free
man once more. lie acted just like
he used to act
Politics Charged.
Senator Barth CHARGED the repub-
lican majority with playing politics
ties. He acknowledged that all dur
ing the session the republicans have !
been courteous and considerate of |
the rights of the minority and la
mented that such was to Ire the case
no more, He warned the republicans
that they were on a cold trail in their
fell designs, and declared that the
only effect of stirring up dissension
among PeCos valley democrats would !
be to bring on more democrats in
the general election.
On the final showdown all the re-
publican senator's voted in favor of
the bill while three democrats, Sem
ators Calisch. Lea and Mersfelder,
voted with them. The seven adverse
voted were cast by democrats.
WOrkman's Compensation.
The house in the morning session
passed what majority leaders declare
is a workman,s compensation bill.
Opponents of the measure state that
it was framed by Charles Springer,
Charles A. Spiess and other represen-
tatives of the mining interests for
the purpose of foolng the people.
Mr. Wesley of Grant county enk
deavored to argue the merits of the
h I,,t tn do /
First it was ruled that he was pre-
mature in his efforts to speak. and
ater that he had allowed his oppor-
tunity to slip by. This and other in
cidents at the morning session tended
% increase the tension that has ex.
stcd in the house for some time past
and to intensity the feeling against
he man who occupies the chair OF
presiding officer.
All amendments proposed to the
sill were voted down with no oppor-
unity for debate. The bill was final
Y passed by vote of 25 to Is, the
democratic members protesting that
he measure is a fraud on those
whom it is proposed to benefit. In
Ike manner what purports to be an
Australian ballot bill and budget {
ill were passed at the morning ses- /
ion of the house. Practically no con- ,
liberation was given to either. They I
we're taken charge of by Mr.. Barnes, i
majority floor leader and jammed {
through. If perchance they ever pass
he senate and are placed on the
tatute books the people some day
nay find out what thev are about. :
On motion of Mr Barnes a selected I