Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1921-01-13
TEXT OF GOVERNOR MEcHEM's
MESSAGE TO THE LEGISLATURE

the majority and minority reports
OF the special revenue commission.
Ihey are entitled to serious consid-
erauon at your hands as they rep
resent great amount of Intelligent
and impartial investigation of the
tax situation in the state. The dis
cussions and recommendation thew
contain, particularly on the budget
system, the short ballot the income
tax law and our system of taxation,
including the mine tax law, are Of
very considerable value and will. I
believe, furnish a basis for con-
st1uctiye legislation along these
lines.
Ad Valorem Mine TaN.
recommend the advalorem sys-
TEN of taxing mines and mineral
lands. The tax commission should
be given the power to fix the value
of mines and mineral lands for the
purpose of taxation. and to accur-
ately and scientifically determine
such valuations, must be supplied
with necessary assistance.
An income tax will reach many
persons who are not now contribut-
ing to the support of the state, and
l recommend the imposition of
personal tax at a flat rate,
l especially recommend to your
attention that portion of the reve-
nue. commissions report which
deals with tire proposal to adopt
the short ballot.
| suggest horizontal reduction
of all tax levies; and that this leg
islature consider and determine q
limit of taxation to be observed for
all purposes and submit such a
constitutional amendment to the
voters establishing such limitation.
Would Protect Voter.
The provision of our election law
which permits judges and clerks
of elections to mark ballots or TO
advise voters how, to vote should
be repealed. 1t destroys the secrecy
of the ballot and opens wide the
door to fraud and intimidation. The
voters of New Mexico understand
how to mark their ballots so as to T!
vote their sentiments.
A drastic blue sky law should he
and strictly enforced so
that the sale of worthless securi-
ties within this state may be pre-
vented.
l recommend the passage of a |
law which will prohibit aliens who
are ineligible to citizenship from
acquiring real estate, Also laws
which will prohibit all persons who
are not citizens OF the United
States from carrying or having fire
arms in their possession; and which
will prohibit Indians from hunting
game, except on their own lanos
IF reservations.
Abolish Useless Offices.
7 recommend the repeal of the
avs creating the mounted police
'orce, the office of legal advisor to
he governor, superintendent of
insurance and county and road su-
,erintendents.
In view of the increasing costs
If our state institutions, which
PRESENTS a most serious problem,
the limited resources of
his state, I submit that the legis-
AZURE might we'll be given the
,ower by constitutional amend
nent, to consolidate the control or
ocation of such of said institutional +;
s will in the wisdom of the legis-
allure contribute to administrative
economy and efficiency. /.
Officials estimated that the loss
O the public through floods in the
Rio Grande river in 1920 reached |
pproximately 100000. including ;
and damage and damage to canal 1
ystems, headings. bridges. roads,
ailroads and crops. This flood |
amage is an annual occurrence. II
Drainage for Valley. |,
I recommend that there be APP
ropriated out of funds available in
he Improvement of the Rio
;rande income fund" and the ,
Permanent reservoirs for irriga-
ion purposes. income fund.- the
UNI of $4,000. or as much thereon
s may be necessary for the sur
ey, investigation and report by the
tate engineer on plans for the
ontrol of the flood waters of the
rio Grande for the protection of
ublic and private property, and
or utilizing surplus flood watersl
or irrigation by means of storage
eservoirs.
! assure you. gentlemen. on be-
alf of myself and the other Off
ials of. the executive department
the state, of our earnest desire to
g Of any possible assistance to you
| the discharge of your duties, and
ur confident belief in your proper
ppreciation of your responsibility
nh onnortunity of accomplish