Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1920-11-27
HELP NEW MEXICO.

Are we a group of financial incompetents in
New Mexico? The report of the Special Revenue
Commission shows our public expenditures, during
the past years to have increased five times as
fast as our assessed valuation and fifty times as
fast as our population. Are we going blthely on
toward the precipice of public bankruptcy without
taking a look where are treading?
There is nothing invitive to people from outside
the state in our present situation. Few, indeed,
care to become members of firm on the verge
of bankruptcy. We not hope for men of means
to come into this state unless show the business
capacity to cope with our financial problems
1t is hopeless to expect better administration of
our affairs than public sentiment requires But pub
lie sentiment is merely the crystallzed sentiment of
men and women such you, dear reader. IL you
are Indifferent and fail to function as one citizen
S>su may reasonably expect others to initiate your
apathy and nothing be accomplished,
A very great step of a definite nature has been
taken toward getting down to business by the
Revenue Commission. If the public will respond
to the effort to get positive information to the
people in the next few weeks, something may be ac-
complished this winter.
The government of the state has been entrusted
by the public the next two years to hands other
than we thought wise. We recognize that in maxi
ing this decision the people did precisely what they
had right to do. We do not complain Of that
decision. We have great confidence in the aggre-
gate judgment of the people. 1t was our business
to advise the course we thought wise; it the
business of the pepole to make the selection.
We now deem it duty to do all that we can
do to make that decision work out we'll for the
happiness and prosperity of the state The Jour
nal will put stumbling blocks in the path of the
new administration long it goes in the direc-
ton to which it committed itself in its party plat
form. On the contrary we will loan every possible
effort to assist in attaining that end
There doubtless some recommendations of
the Revenue Commission in which will not all
concur. Care should be taken by such disagree
in details not to attempt to discredit the
commission its report whole These men
have great ability. They have given freely of their
best efforts to the state. They have had technical
and expert advice and have acted with deliberation.
The results of their work should be studied SYM
pathetcaly.
1t hardly behooves any of us to too hastily pit
our "curbstone" opinion against their rpened judg-
ment. 1t is time when all should seek the full
facts upon which to formulate a wise decision.
Now is a time when the thinking people of New
Mexico need to "go to school" We should educate
ourselves to the point where we are competent to
pass inteigenty upon these important questions Of
state
The Journal will attempt to get the facts of this
report before the public AS discuss it we shall
attempt do so without partisan bias personal
reference. Perhaps in the discussion Of the condi-
tions in the land office it may not be possible to
entirely avoid personal illusions but if so, we will
make them in as kindly spirit as is possible.
We wish to invite public discussion. To that
end will publish all proper communications re-
ceived on the various subjects Those both for and
against any proposal will be given space in our
open forum. We invite mine owners, land leases
land office officials and all others get their ar
gumens before the pepole through columns.
We take this occasion to say that any counter
argument made editorially will be handled i'm
personally without sarcasm invective and with
noeend in view other than to assist the public in
reaching its decisions.
BY joining in this discussion with contribution
concerning such views you may have you will
aid all in acting wisely. out of counter-arguments
will come the ultimate solution
Let the people of New Mexico prove themselves
equal to the task of managing their affairs as eff.
fciently as the people of any commonwealth in
America.
AS a beginning let each reader resolve that
he will take the necessary time each day to follow
the discussions of this report