The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1921-12-18

x16AND for = special session Of the legislature growing out
Of tho relations Of the stats trsazursrs office with the
ciosed Santa ~ bank, while IL may be inspired by the best
Of motives, seems 70 The Herald to have more hysteria than
common senss behind H. Banks have become involved in difficulties
before and have been closed % a result, while having state funds on
deposit. When . somewhat similar situation developed as Las Cru
l-w adequately regulating the deposting Of public money by the
custodian Thereof. A a result Of that Incident such a law was en-.
acted. This law was Ia force when q huge sum Of state money was
aapositcd b. the stste treasurer in q bank not legally qualified BY
the sum Of its capital and surplus to have is custody. On the face
Of the information available it does not appear that a book full Of
new law would have prevented the occurrence. To issue c hurryup
call for The Legislature to assemble and do something Of an indefinite
nature about something concerning which we do not as yet know
tho facts. seems at the very least 10 be precipitate.
Unless The Herald is very much mistaken there is plenty Of law
now on our statute books 70 correct methods Of handling public
money which are sufficiently bad 10 demand immediate correction;
and thsrs certainty is sufficient law to punish wrongdoing by any
public official
Obviously, If this is true, a prelude to any intelligent legislative
action should be prompt and vigorous executive action which will
determine what bad methods exist, whether their existence is due
to bad Jaw or bad administration Of the law, whether the law has
been violated by any official or officials and II 30, who those off,
cials are and what the extent Of their ~wrongdoing has heen.
II is only after all the facts have been ascsrtainsd by a search
ing investigation that the governor or anyone else can determine
what. II any, emergency legislation Is needed. and be in a position TO
inform the Legislature what that action is in terms so definite and
convincing that its prompt enactment cannot be deferred. It is equal
" obvious that IL is the duty Of the governor to see that such an in.
vestigaficn be made; whether through the courts or through other
agencies at his command. or both. We have no doubt that he viii
dc it. Until that has been done the people VIII not know, the men,
bers of the Legislature win not know, and II is to be doubted II any
one can tell them what legislation may be needed. When all the
facts have been disclosed in such an investigation it will be sppsr-
ent TO all whether q costly emergency session Of the legislature is
needed, or whether the public business can be safeguarded until the
regular legislative session recurs. If more law is necessary immedi.
ately to safeguard the public interest, any legislative expense in
volved in getting 1t will be justified. II more law is not Immediately
necessary, q special session would simply pile another costly error
on top Of the heap. The political element, in the sense Of looking
out for partisan fortunes, should be a secondary consideration. It
Is likely. in any event, II a solid republican state administration can
not clean up its own affairs and put the state government in a posi-
ton that win be satisfactory to the people, that no aid a special leg
islativs session could render it would greatly strengthen the party
fortunes in 1922.
There is no doubt in the minds Of any of those familiar with the
system in use that the states whole system Of accounting and audit
ing needs a revision that viii provide closer supervision Of expendi-