Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1921-01-16
THE HOLY OF HOLES,

The people surely must wonder by what process
the State Land Office has been converted into the
Sanetum Sanctorum of the high priests of politics
IN New Mexico, into which the profane foot of
mere taxpayer and citizen must not enter
One is led to speculate as to whose land office
this really is Curiosity is also greatly aroused
to what is kept inside its sacred precincts which
the public must not see.
( Why do newspapers and politicians fly with
such fury at the man who dares to intimate that
he fears all is not well in the land office? What
is going which must not be seen by common
folks?
Columns have been written about the lack OF
authority of the Special Revenue Commission to
Investigate the land office. What is the differ
ence? These are presumed to be public records
open to any citizen who to inspect them
Governor Hagerman the State Taxpayers As
ISOLATION, any else, needs special
mission in order to be entitled to access to these
records
Mr.. Whittier, Travelling Auditor flies into a
monumental rage some good tempered and
expert suggestions to how the records of the
ice, should be kept. He proves the present
IDS adequate by the flat assertion that the
,nue Commission is hostile. The commission
OF hostile, but if it it could not change
merits of its suggestions. The changes in book
I'd or else they should not. Calling names cannot
settle that question Mr.. Whittier is as deep in
he muck the Land Office is in the mire, in
far as the question of the present bookkeeping
methods is concerned. He has the pride of pater-
ly in the present system; he largely evolved it.
rhe public will hardly endure having him nom
shantly wave the suggestions for change aside
rs foolish and unscientific.
Newspapers, which would not know book
1eeping system from multiplication table, gravely
ell us that the report of the highly technical ex-
,erts from Chicago is undoubtedly worthless and
he present system the best ever
The unwingness sto have the land office in
restigated has been source of suspicion with the
Journal for months. Why abuse everybody who
wants it proven that all is we'll with school
fhildrens endowment from the federal government?
The Chicago experts charged no with
raud Neither did they say that there not
dishonesty. They not making audit or
Investigating transactions. They We're investigating
he system followed to whether it would readily
end itself to fraud and dishonesty. They found
hat it would and that under the present system,
he people depending entirely upon the
opesty of the employees in the Land Office,
Think Of the criminality of the great state of
lew Mexico in failing to surround this great trust
ind with every legislative safeguard possible and
very bookkeeping device which will make q thor
ugh check the transactions of the office, pos
bity.
We the only western state which does not
ealize the necessity of a land board to outline
olicies and exercise discretionary power. We in
differently leave these vital functions to clerks
The people demanding bipartisan board.
9TH party platforms pledged to such an ar
ingement. Governor Mechem insists upon it. Mr..
prsum is committed to it. There should be no
~
he people. I
But that not be made operative for a
&luple of years. In the meantime, the legislature
Ill be derelict in its duty if it fails add legis-
Tive, safe guards to the system of handling this
4ry important department.