New Mexico state record. (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1914-19??, 1921-01-21
THE SENATE AND HOUSE
HAVE NOW INTRODUCED
NEARLY HUNDRED BILLS
BY Guthrie Smith.

With nearly one hundred bile in
troduoed in the senate and house at
week OF the fifth New Mexico Legis-
lauire. enough material is available
Ito keep the committees busy for
some days. Added to the list OF bills
is string OF joint resolutions propos-
iEg to submit amendments to the
constitution.
In the senate practically all OF the
Republican platform pledges have
been covered by the bills and resolut-
ions that have been introduced, eN-
cept OF course the revenue problems
have not been tackeled There is
a desire manifest on the part Of
both majority and minority. in sem
a.e and house to expidite the work
as much as possible. In the house,
Lutz, of Lincoln, has introduced a
resolution to limit the introduction
of bills to the first fifty days, with
tie exception of appropriation bills.
lhc resolution has not yet been re-
ported out by the committee. This
was followed in the senate by the
introduction by Sellers, Of Albuqu-
cirque, floorleadcr for the minority,
TO limit the introduction of bills to
the first thirty days, reserving the
last fifteen days for the exclusive
consideration of revenue measures,
This resolution was introduced in the
house by Nichols OF Curry, minority
iloorleader. 1t has not been reported
out.
The minority has declared itself
in sympathy with the principles OF
the program to which the majority
is pledged. the only differences lying
in details. This is the way the minor
ity describes the situation, The pri-
mary election bills that have been
introduced by majority members pro-
vide for the nomination OF county
officers only by the direct primary
and for the selection of delegates
to the county convention by this me-
thCd the county convention to name
the delegates to the district and state
conventions. The Democratic caucus
of the senate has decided to stand
h, the demand for a statewide pri-
mary law. Gov Mechem's message
recommended the statewide primary
but the pledge of the Republican
GOHNtlltlOil ulu iloi 81 hhNS ~ Aoi
There is noticeable reluctance on
the part OF the Republican senate
leaders to commit the party to that
extent. For one thing, Individually
several OF them are much opposed
to statewide primary and, not be-
ing pledged to so radical a change
are not likely so to vote. Some OF
the Democratic senators have said
they are in favor OF making the pri-
mary statewide, If such a change
RAY be made without increasing
taxes. MY constituents want a pri-
mary election law but they do not
want it if it is to mean an increase
nv taxes. They do not want any prl-
mary election law If it is TO add to
TIE cost OF our state elections and
government" Primary elections do
cost money and the taxpayers gen
orally, instead OF political workers,
will pay the bills The senator. quot
ed is now pledged by his caucus to
support a statewide primary law.
Measures now under considcrat-
ion provide for long steps In the ma
tier Of retreuchment. Abolishing OF
the mounted police force. the coun-
~ road superintendent, the advisor
20 the governor and the insurance
commissioner has been taken care
OF through bills that have been in
troduced. Resolutions submitting
constitutional amendments look 10
the gradual decreasing Of the num-
ber of members OF the corporation
commission from three to one and
to the abolshing OF the present
grand jury system. The corporation
commission resolution was on the
senate calendar Friday afternoon,
but was carried over to Monday af-
ternoon and made a special order
TO- 2.30
The house worked until siay
afternoon and then adjourned 20
o clock Monday afternoon The SEN
ate on Friday afternoon adjourned
to 2 p. m. Monday.
Public committee hearings to
consider important measures have
been announced as follows: Mon
day, 10 a. m, the right OF aliens to
own real estate; Monday, 1890 a.
m woman's eight hour law; Wed
nesday, 1880 a. m, child labor bill