The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1920-10-19
POPULAR DEMOCRATIC FICTION

THE dismal failure of Mr.. Arthur Seligmans effort to set up a
fusion ticket in Valencia county, while possibly his most sue
= eessful fiasco in that particular field, is by no means his first
failure there. Valencia county has been a thorn in the none too
cratic boss Of New Mexico. lie has tried every trick in his assorted
supply to break the republican ranks in Valencia county but the
result has been much the same as in the ease of the independent
convention at Bclen Saturday last much advance advertising and
no results. The Valencia county republican lines remain mbroken
and the republican majoritics grow.
Similarly is has long been the custom of democratic campaign
orators, under Mr.. Scligmans direction and when short Of subject
matter, to view with alarm the conditions in Valencia county, to
reflect upon the intelligence of the people there aud to refer to them as
usual in the present campaign, Ed. NJ. otero having been the gen
1eman usually portrayed as the party adorned with horns and a
forked tail.
Thus we find Honorable Antonio Luccro, federal prohibition
enforcer, and candidate for congress on the democratic ticket, and
date, travelling through the state and pointing the finger Of scorn
at Valencia county and its "benighted people whose boss ridden
fate is sympathetcany and even tearfuIy dcplorcd.
The records mean nothing in the young lives of Candidates Lu-
and Hanna but the records are perhaps more permanent than
the candidates. of these gentlemen, and the valencia county records
tell a different story.
Thus candidate Lucero recently asserted that Valencia county
schools are the poorest in the state
The records show that there are 3,6OS persons between the ages
of 5 and 81 years in Valencia county this year. These are legally
encia county schools, giving that county one of the highest percent
ages in the state in attendance as compared with the school census
in a modern school building. The teachers are paid POO 1850 and
$72O respectively per year for the first, second and third grade GER
tiffcation. There are it appears, no better paid rural school teach
Valencia county lis m of the few counties that is operated com,
pletely on the budget plan, in all departments of county govern.
ment. The school s' budget mt for r; = od present e n year calls ;. for a tot1 q
airy of the county school superintendent and expenses of the county
board of education, End $4,000 for school operation or an aver
age Of $50 per child. This outlay compares with the best in the
state. OF this teal school outlay Of 100000, a total of $4,000 is
raised by taxation. The balance is produced from other sources, such
as forest revenues, etc.
Frequent audis and the statements of many auditors show that
Valencia county records are in perfect condition and that they are
and have been for many years models of accuracy and complete ac
counting.
The assessed valuation of Valencia county in 1912 was 81 1000
This year it is $~l7O00,OOO, making the county's increase in that
period the largest Of any county in the state. Outside capital il
investing in Valencia county lands as rapidly as they are placed OF
the market. A total of %$6,OOoOoo of such investments have been made
in that county within the past eight years.
The increase in assessed value of noncorpOrate property in Va
lencia county has been greater than that in any other county in the
state since 1912. The popular democratic fiction that the Santa FL
railroad pays all the taxes in that county is entertaining from the
platform but does not stand up under analysis Of the records.
The total Valencia county tax rate this year, for all purposes il
LIMA mills. The total county tax rate is 1861 mills. This compare
quite favorably with the tax rate in other counties, being next TO tbs
lowest in the state. The tax rate is proving attractive TO investors
Valencia county, during the past four years, has built more goot
roads, for construction of which all or part of county funds were re
qured, than any other county in the state.
Valencia county has been operated for the past four years, hal
built more good roads, for construction Of which all or part Of county
funds were required, than any other county in the state.
Valencia county has been operated for the pastfour years strictl,
on a budget system which covers every outlay for county and schoo
purposes. It Is a matter of record that there has never been a devia
ton from the budget as finally approved.
The total operating expenses OF Valencia county for the curren