Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1889-08-13
TVp prpTTr GrE0NTG

New Mexico is certainly far il the Yc&I
in the matter of public education. The
recent report OF the territorial auditor civ
ng statistical information about the work.
ires at the public schools shows that
there are 1913 children enrolled, with
an average attendance vi lO,O64 ;sthcro
were 80 teachers employed last year VIM
taught GSOI2 months, an average OF / 3a
months each. The highest salary paid
teachers was $I00 per month, and the
lowest Tl1.00. Tie total expenses OF al,
the schools 10 the territory last year Wa
$40, 6. ,. The report gives the total mum
her Of children of school aye at A, So
which gives an annual per capita eXPcn-
diture OF only $l,25. Reading, writing,
spelling, grammar, arithmetl', Un!ted
States history, physiology, natural srl"ncc
and civil government are the branches
designated by the territory 10 be taught
but how much OF these great essentials
can be dolrd out ior Sl.25 per pupil for
each scholastic year? II is not meant
that weshonld find fault with Our sister
territory, but her present public school
system is q shame and disgrace to the
territory. Citizen.
Considerable truth in these structures,
but the fault is not with the law, hut in
most cases with the officials elected to
execute the law, and for that the people
and the voters alone are to blame. There
are Mt . round calculation about 5000
voters in the territory. Each voter is re-
CURED to pay Il poll tax OF 81 annually
for the benefit of the school fund. How
ever, the law in that respect has hereto
lore been dead letter. Right here i'll
this county, Santa Fe, We doubt ii 5000
annually have been collected for poll
taxes, and if they have the good Lord
alone knows what has become OF the
money. The sum OF 2l@ mills on the
dollar is levied for school purposes upon
all taxable property, On $50,OOO,0Oe
worth of taxable property that makes a
pretty round sum, or about $4,000 per
annum also for the supp TT ofthc schools.
Deducting delinquents, etc, nevertheless
the several counties of this territory
ought to collect and expend for the
maintenance OF the public schools
about $4,000 per aunm. But I'M
fortunately this is not the case. The
moneys collected are in a great many in
stances misappropriated and squandered.
In this county, not very long since moneys
so collected were paid out by the county
commissioners for other than school pur-
poses. The law prescribes that early
during the year an appOrtionment OF
school funds should be made by the
school superintendent. Has this been
done? Or will 1t be done? Right here
in this county, containing the capital, the
law in regard TO the administration Of
public school matters has been shame
fully disregarded and is being disobeyed
to-day.
We have compulsory school law upon
the statute book, but it is not being en-
forced Last year the Democratic school
superintendent OF the counties of bona
Ana, Taos and Mora, failed to render any
reports to the territorial auditor, as direct
ed by law. Take it all in ALL our public
school system is not in the condition it
ought be- and that not on account OF the
existing lave but mainly because iucom-
petent or corrupt men have been elected
in too many counties to the important
Offices OF school superintendent and
school directors.
In order to remedy this We must have
statehood. We will then have stringent
provisions in the constitution upon the
question Of public schools and the senti-
ment Of the people will compel their en-
.urcement In the mean time more care
should be taken in the selection Of super
iutenderts and school directors. The
last legislature very wisely so changed
the law AS to provide that school directors
Should he elected yearly in January.
That is step in the right direction and
will help greatly in securing better men.
The territorial prosecuting officers and
grand juries should also take more inter
est and investigate closely the official
doings of school officials, Ii this be done
the schools OF this territory will soon
greatly increase in efficiency and vigor,
and will become what they are designed
to be- benefit and a blessing to the
nnnnla.