New Mexico state record. (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1914-19??, 1920-06-11
TAXPAYERS ASSN URGE
SHORT BALLOT FOR N. n.

SHORT BALLOT FOR n. N.
At the last annual meeting Of the
Association of New Mex
leo held in October 1919 there was
a discussion of the questions Of gov
ernment costs, in state and county
government in New Mexico and it
was the unanimous opinion of the
meeting that only through greater
qualification and more thorough CO.
ordination of governmental offices
and functions can the evils of inef-
ficiency and extravaganza be correct
ed. With a view of attempting to
bring about such desired coordina-
ton in our governmental system a
committee of the Association was ap..
pointed to study the question n
to draft a report of its finding Tor
the consideration of the association.
On this committee were appointed
Ex-Governor w. E. Lindsey, Mr..
Neill B. Field. Mr.. James G. Fitch,
Judge F.. R. Wright and Mr.. Frank
w. Clancy. The full report OF the
Committee to the Association is as
Albuquerque, New Mexico,
February q, 1920.
To the Taxpayers Association, San
ia Fe, New Mexico.
Gentlemen:
The undersigned committee, ap-
oo;nted October 10th, 1919. at the
annual meeting Of the association,
according to the provisions Of the
following resolution. to-wit: "Resoi-
we'd that it is the sentiment OF TINS
Association that the most etfieSent
remedy for the governmental evils II,
orr state government so well stated
nv Gov. Lindsey and Judge Wright
;s to be found in the reduc-
ton of the elective officers to the
smallest practical number with a view
OF uniting power and responsio'iity
which will result in consequent m
creased efficiency" respectfully re-
port as follows:
w, recommend that the Associa,
lion endorse the following draft OF
a Joint resolution proposing an am
a,dmcn, TO the Constitution OF the
State of New Mexico and urge ~
adoption by the legislature al III
next session:
Io;nt Resolution Number =.
Re II Resolved by the Legislature
of The State of New Mexico, Iha'
me following amendment TO the Con
s,;,,,;on Of the State of New Mex
Go 10 he known as 1.-THE State shor'
Nv, Amendment" is hereby pro
coed 10 be submitted to the elect
nrs OF the State for their approVa
NJ ,e;ection at an election to be hele
in ,he State on the Tuesday mex
after the first Monday ot NoVen'
Der. 1927. ,.;r,
That hereafter no state executive
officer or commissioner shall De e.
ected at the regular election held II
The month Of November. W. or :
,,v election thereafter except a uoF
.rnor. and a Lieutenant'6overnof
e,ch OF whom shalt hold his oftic'
for a term Of four years beginnin'
with the first day OF January neN,
after his election the governor sna'
nominate and by and with the adVic'
and consent of the Senate appo'n
Al, other state executive ana az
miristrative officers created by III
CONSTITUTION or laws of the state o
New Mexico. including those mere
,f,er 10 he created. and all such OF
f;rcrs shall hold their respective OF
fees during the pleasure OF the "oV
ernor.
state executive officers and com
missioncrs heretofore elected bN IN
people shall continue in office durin.
the period for which they were res
ncctiyely elected unless sooner re
moved in accordance with eN'stin
law.
In order that the subject matte
covered in the resolution OF our ap
pointmen, may be brought to tn
attention of the people OF the STATE
particularly to the voters thereo
we recommend that the followin
draft of a platform plank be appro
we'd by the Association and urged 10
adoption into party platforms in tn
conventions of all parties this yea
for the nominations of candidate
for state offices:
I'VE favor the adoption OF the pr'r
ciple OF the short ballot in the Exe
cutive Department OF the State Go'
eminent also the consolidation G
state administrative functions into a
appropriate number of department
with appoint;ve heads who shall cor
stitute the Governors Cabinet; an
we believe that all department Of
~ficiais and employees subordinate I
the ~appointive head thereof, shout
, receive appointment and hold tenur
OF olace according to merit, the san
/, to be determined BY adequate civ
!, service code: and. il successful
the polls, we pledge ourselves to us
our best efforts for the accomplish
- ment Of all the foregoing as speedi
- may he