New Mexico state record. (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1914-19??, 1921-01-07
GOVERNOR MECHEM TAKES
OATH AND DELIVERS SHORT
COMPREHENSIVE ADDRESS

1. Mechem IS the tItth governor OF
the state of. New Mexico, on last
Satu day, was caaracterized by the
greatest simplicity. The al. was cold
ano a sharp wind was blowing, as,
al l2:l5 m, Chief Justice Clarence
J. Roberts administered the oath OF
office in the improvised stand on the
west front of the capitol. This fol-
lowed the valedictory of Octayiano
A. LarraLolo, the retiring governor.
Governor Mechem tien delivered his
inaugural address, which is remark
able for its directness and brevity
1t follows:
Conditions in New Mexico, which
affect all her leading industries, i'm
pose upon this administra ton, not
only that wise economy which should
always be observed in the conduct
o. business, but far-reachng and
tie rough-doing retrenchment in tax
ievies and expenditure OF public
money in every department of state
county and city government.
There can be no mistaking the
seriousness Of the present situation,
nor can there be any doubt but that
the people expect, and have a right
to expect, us first of all to do every
thing in our power to ghten the
heavy burden of taxation.
"When the state legislature met
ii, its 1917 and lol9 sessions. we
were enjoying great prosperity in
nearly every line of business, and i;
is not surprising that during that
period of prosperity, and inspired BY
it, the expenditures OF public money
should have been greatly increased
But now the exact reverse Is true
ana we will wholly fail in our duty
II we do not see to it that the in
creases so made during prosperous
years are completely abated if il
can be done without impairing a
service which is Indispensable.
1T would be false economy TO
lose ground gained after years OF
effort as for example, in the mat
ter of education, but even in such
an important phase OF governmental
activity we cannot at this time al
ford any extensions, and where
economies can be inaugurated, they
sfould be.
"Our attitude in all matters which
call for the appropria ton OF the
peoples money should be controlled
by necessity, and not by desirab:lity
merely. The state, through its va
rious agencies, could accomplish ii
many things which would be desir-
able and advantageous, but iii ad-
dition to Sucn considerations, these
things must be absolutely essential
IN view of present business condi-
tions. In these hard times it must
bc with the state as II is with pro
vldent indiViduas-not a question OF
what we would like to have, bat
what we can get along without
In regard to the pledges Of re
foim contained IN the Platform oi
the party We represent they are each
and every one OF them to be kept
40 the letter and IN the spirit OF com
plcte fultillmcnt. The time Is past
tor discussion concerning their wis
don or eNpediency, and there are
many matters OF great Importance
which viii claim our attention. The
recommendation OF the special re
venue commission ar entitled to care
ful and intelligent COnsidCra tIon. 1T
/, not desired 10 mnlmlze the I'M
pCrtance OF any OF these matters by
not discussing them At t4Is tunc
and place, but what IS desired is to
GUT especial emphasis upon the tact
that Icducsi siOn OF taxation IS the
paramount obligation restmg upon Us
al tins time.
AS to many public questions, there
Iuay be honest differences citner as
- ,heIr wisdom, cspcdienCy, or as
T. .t mC,hod OF putting them into
effect, but we cannot be other ta.u
OF one mind upon the imperative
necessity OF a rIgld limitation OF tax
aton, aud the way IN which 1t can
be obtained. The method Is simple
and single. 1t can only be zone
ny reducing the lcyies which the
taxing authorities are by law en-
powered 10 make, and by cutting
down appropriations. This will not
IN every case, work hardship. Wan
the purchasing power OF the dollar
decreasing as II did for several years
last past, larger appropriations were
necessary to obtain the same results
IS formerly obtained, but now that
the purchasing power OF the dollar
is daily increasing, and will contl-
nue. beyond any doubt to do SO,
smaller appropriations should accom-
plish what is needed.
There is a very pardonable local
pride which is the cause for many
OF the demands made upon the legis
I.t L. Il
quite natural that those communi-
ties in which are located the state
institutions should strive to have
them enlarged and improved, but
while these institutions must be
maintained in position to accomplish
the objects for which they were
created, and their growth must be
fvstered, yet at this time the tax
payers cannot afford to spend any
more money on them than is neces-
ssry to keep them at their present
efficiency, and that is all that should
be asked at this time.
Some economies have been sug
gcsted, such as the adjustment of
some useless offices, but this alone
will not suffice. Levies and sppro-
priations have got to be cut to the
last cent possible.
Taxes must be reduced SO that
every tax payer in this state, when
he goes to pay his taxes next time.
vii know and will appreciate the
fact that they have been materially
and effectually reduced.
I'VE have heard a great deal re-
Gently about defects in our tax sys-
tenn, and while they will doubtless