New Mexico state record., 1919-03-21

occupied a prominent place in the
closing part of the session, and it is
probable that an extra session ol
the legislature will be called in
October to complete fiscal plans and
make the necessary appropriation ou,
of funds which it is expected the
people will vote for that purpose a,
the polls next September.
FIVE constitutional Amendments
Five constitutional amendments
will come up for vote next fall, a
resolution having been passed group
ing them all on the third Tuesday OF
September, which is Sept. l6; 1919.
rhey are:
To ratify national prohibition.
To grant New Mexico soldiers abb
sent from the state on duty the right
to vote on state elections, wherever
! they are stat 'oned.
70 create board Of three mem
bers to supervise all state institu-
tions instead Of the twenty boards
now officiating.
To ratify a bond issue of $2.000OO0
on the part of the state, the proceeds
~ DC lSCu dt OuNC ioi ioduos
To ratify the Barnes amendment
to the state constitution allowing
'uturc bond issues up to &,s0O0O0
without holding special elections,
provided the state does not pledge
more than one per cent OF its tax
able valuation.
Session Spends More
Though confronted with many de-
mands and facing higher costs of do
ing business on the part Of all de-
partments, the legislature exceeded
he appropriations of the last one
by only $4,000. Appropriations for
highways. drainage, public health,
child welfare. girls welfare, educa-
tionai advancement (Which made an
extra half mill levy necessary ex-
termination of predatory animals,
the state constabulary and increases
for the higher educational institu-
tions and state departments as a
whole, gave the finance committees
many things to think about and
literally several sleepless nights.
Some appropriations have been
cut down. OF these the state coun-
Gil of defense automatically comes
to an end, having used but $37s.OO0
of the $750O00 covered into the fund
at the last special session for all
branches OF war and defense work.
Set programs of legislation were
rged by labor, lawyers, bankers,
stockmen, farmers road boosters
educators womens organizat; ;ons
and county and city author
tiles in turn. The laws passed in.
dicate a selection from among the
pressing demands after prolonged
committee work and discussion. Few
laws relating to crime and public
behavior were enacted.
Four New Department.
Four new boards were created by
the legislature with powers that vir
nually constitute them new depart
ments of the state administration.
The soldier settlement board OF
,hree to take charge of drainage and
the state department o.
health with three members; the girls
welfare board; and the child wellarc
board with six members, are new I
and the state tax commission Wa,
changed in form.
OF the large number OF bills pass
ed it is probable that the governor
will sign all of them with the poss-
ble exception of one requiring that
land owners shall divide the expense
Of fences between their holdings, an
act which would work hardship in
many cases to prior settlers beside
new cattle ranges.
The proposal to limit state officers
10 the use of 5000 automobiles fail
I'd, A law was introduced to create
| state fish hatchery, but it did not
pass.
The legislation has followed so
closely the governors program that
lis signature to all bills will come
IS a matter of course. He has in
act at this time signed most of the
20 measures to come to his desk
)ver S(0 b;i1s were introduced