Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1921-12-17

Judge announced that the full pow
ers of his court would be used as.
necessary, even to the converting Of
a grand jury in case that became
imperative, in orGer that the
states right might be fully pro-
tected.
Both the state treasurer and the
land commissioner gave out detail
ed statements today showing the
amounts Of money on hand and the
banks in which it was deposited.
The state treasurer had on hand
$3,207S74.0S. The land commits
sioner had 1908, 407.S2, divided
among fifty-one banks. 1nvestiga-
ton showed that on october 6 the
land commissioner had paid to the
state treasurer the sum of $2S6,-
$3.50 and that on November l he
paid over an additional $4a6, 254.76.
These figures reveal the fact that
prior to October the land COM
missioner had on hand $3.50, 347,6 5.
The Journal was accused of ex-
travagance in its statements when
it expressed the belief that the
amount was between $450,000 and
$625,000. This money earned the
state no interest.
The change in the atmosphere
around the capitol building is re-
markahle. Information is available
upon request. II any one doubts
that the world edo move" he should
be here a while and feel the
change. The Journal Is given gen.
eral credit, for bringing about this
change.
The governor has not decided on
the question of special session Of
the legislature. He doubts whether
public opinion demands it, With
practically everyone admitting that
there is rotten mess which needs
legislative inquiry, the governor
is unconyinced as yet. The law re-
quires surety Donas for all state de-
1 posts with not more than 80 per
cent. of the face of the bond de-
/ posted in any account. The
breach is made a felony. The state
treasurer had $353,000 in bank
with a $4,000 surety bond. The
treasurer can be removed only by
! Impeachment by the legislature.
PUBLIC opinion is favorable to a
! legislative session. 1t should make
Itself felt with the governor.
Everybody admits that the states
system Of accounting is a farce.
Inc governor sought very COM
mendable changes in the last legis-
lature but failed to get his bill
passed, The very gentlemen now
under fire were largely instru-
mental in it's defeat Now they
would be without influence. With
the legislature in session for the
one purpose of changing the &C
counting and auditing system Of the
state, public opinion would force
the enactment of suitable law.
Governor Mechem seems to lack
assurance that a bill now would
fare better than his bill did last
winter. In the shuttle of a thou
sand bills, it was easy to lose this
one. 1t would probably happen
again next winter. With nothing
else before it and with the eyes oil
the state upon 1t. the Legislature
could not fail TO act now.
A special session would cos
about $4,000 q week. Three weeks
should suffice to investigate ane
leglslate. 1t would be the mos
profitable SIS, 900 the state has evel
spent.
Democratic leaders Of the typ
who put palitics first, do not wan
special session. They want thu
republicans to go into the next cam
paign bearing the sins of their OF
ficials. If Governor Mechem fail
to call a special session, his re
fusal to do so will be pointed to b!
by these same gentlemen, in tn
campaign next fall as evidence tina
the republicans refused to clear
their own house.