Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1921-02-27
THE LEGISLATIVE SITUATION.

At last there definite 3isLs that something
in behalf of the people may be accomplished by the
legislature in the two remaining weeks of its ses-
sion.
So many the duties of an incoming governor
and so unfamiliar is he with those duties at the
time of the meeting of the legislature, that the
tendency is for him to make recommendations to
the Legislature concerning party pledges and then
to enter upon the perp1eXing problems Of appoint
ments and political exigences, leaving to the legs-
lature the duty to act upon his recommendations
Even a good-faith governor as Governor Mechem
is proving himself to be, usually wakes up suddenly
in the last days of the session to find legislation
in jam and his recommendations hopelessy
crushed.
The Journal weeks ago, foresaw just such a
contingency and began a policy of trying to bring
the peoples demands prominently to the surface
and to goad the legislature into action upon these
subjects. Our interference has been resented by
legislators but our daily comments have had
their effect No important legislation has yet been
adopted but it appears reasonably certain that
many important things will be accomplished. AT
the first symptom of any influences improperly
blocking this legislation the Journal will renew its
propaganda
We that there would be no important
mine legislation unless Governor Mechem's atten-
ton centered upon it and he became active
in its behalf. We felt equally that he could
self positively behind definite legislation.
Within the past three four days he has en-
tered aggressively upon such policy. He has spent
hours sitting as referee between the Special Rev.
enue Commission and the mine interests He has
listened to and taken position upon many dis
puted points in the proposed revenue code. AS far
these conferences have proceeded the governor
has forced agreement.
On Friday the mine owners yielded, in principle,
TN he of ar ad val tax he
visions of the bill yet to be worked out. If
these gentlemen in good faith as they now
appear to be the people will be satisfied and the
quarrel of the Journal with these great industries
will be at end. The question of whether or not
they greater and powerful than the gov
eminent of the state settled favorably to the
state.
Any effort the part of the mine owners to be |
unreasonable concerning the details of the bill, any
effort to inject jokers into it any effort to de-
feat it in the legislature after its completion will
evidence bad faith. We anticipate no such attitude
but the Journal will not fail to be alert until this
thing is finally upon the Statute books
county primary law doubtless will be enacted. l
Just how satisfactory it's details will be remains |
to be seen. The Journal originally declared for
county primary for try out. When Governor
Mechem and Judge Hanna both declared for a
statewide primary willing to follow them
in the experiment although originally it had
tried in the county. The conditions in New Mexico
are well known to be peculiar. county primary II
is the best that can be done at this session. II
law comes out of it, the progressive ee-
ment should feel step forward has been taken
and should not be unreasonably impatient. II
There is little objection to the budget amend II
ment except as to placing the date for the legis-
latve session in June The farmers object to mid II
season date This should easily be solved by a II
change installing the governor December 1 and II
having the Legislature meet February !. This would
give the governor two full months to prepare II
a budget and would obvate the objection made. II
With such change the amendment resolution II
should pass II
The bipartisan board for the land office will II
be submitted to the voters it appears Also II
law putting certain necessary rules in force in the
land office seems to be reasonable certainty y
AS long as the present earnest effort to act on
these matters continues the Journal will refrain |
from criticism The republican party in |
fair way to come out of the session with a rea-
'onable record II