The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1920-08-18
THE LEGISLATURE

w THlLE the governorship is an important factor in determining
Wv whether or not New Mexico shall have good government and
' ' efficient business management there Is another factor, equally
important and perhaps more important, which must not be overlooked
in the press of interest in the national election and in the contest
over the election of state officers. This other factor is, of course, the
Legislature. II has been our practice in past years TO overlook the
matter of Legislative nominees until the last minute before county and
district conventions, when since the people have expressed no pref
crcnecs and no candidates have come forward, Legislative nominees
of both parties are usually picked by political committees and con
vention managers. Usually these nominees are picked with a first
attention 10 their ability as vote getters. 1t not i%nfrednently happens
that a man who is a very competent vote getter and election worker
is a mighty poor legislator. This is especially true of the profess
sional. or semi professional vote getter who is bound to look upon an
election to the legislature as a reward for political work.
Now as a matter of financial reward an election to the New Mex
io Legislature is not much of a reward. The pay of ~ legislator is
ABOUT that o a seenoh hand. IL Is NOT a good wage as Is pala 10 a
hodcarrier. The financial reward does not attract men of ability.
Men Of ability who make the race for the Legislature do SO at a sacri-
flee OF time, money, convenience and effort and at the risk of cam.
paign abuse and criticism of their acts il elected.
But it is these men of ability business men; l%evel-headed men
men Of Independence and courage who are needed in the state leg
isaure. The need of men Of this type grows stronger with every
session, and as the operation Of the state government grows more
complicated and difficult
The whole question Of the states taxation system is coming he.
fore the next legislature not only the taxing Of mines but the valua.
town lots. farms. everything will be dealt with by the special revenue
commission which Larrazolo has appointed under an act Of the
ing in Santa Re are developing important information and proving
the necessity for reforms far more comprehensive than the super
fetal promises larrazolo is using as part of his made-to-order plat
form IN which to run for a denomination.
We need competent men to deal with these taxation questions
1t does not matter particularly whether they are republicans or dem
oerats, but il does matter that they be not controlled by any influence
other than their own sound Judgment and the best interests of the
state and that they have the courage to back their judgment.
II we have sounded The disposition of the people of New Mexico
accurately, we venture 10 forecast for the benefit of those who are
influential IN noniS' at'ng conventions during the next Few weeks mat
in choosing legislative members this year, the people are going to vote
for men first and for the party label as a consideration entirely see
crdary to ability. Convention manages and ticket makers will dc
well TO have this in mind. II applies with equal force to both pohica
parties.
Here in Bernalillo county we have squarcly before us an issue OF
Importance with relation to the legislature to determine. This county
is 50 strongly republican that it will in all probability elect the re-
we will permit Frank A. Hubbell to pick these Legislative members
for MS. II Mr. Hubhell wins his fight in behalf of the LarrazolO-Hub-
bell Magee. Elfego Baea guhernatorial enterprise he will be the man
who will choose your members Of the next state Legislature.