Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1890-06-25

This concluded The exercises by the pu-
pills, after which, at the request Of Mr..
Larsen, Mr.. Juan Ortiz read an address
prepared by the principal OF the school,
| the substance of which is here given: 1t
began with an expression Of thanks 10
those present for the interest they were
taking in the work OF educating the I'M
fortunate, and then went on to state the
difficulties under which it had to be car
ried on. 1t could be seen how utterly un.
suitable in every way was the building,
and how inadequate the support for the
demands made upon it. The school could
be greatly enlarged, and its usefulness in
creased, were the means forthcoming
Many pupils had to be refused during the
past year, and also because some who
would have been willing to pay for their
children and wards, stated that as Mrs.
Larsen was so constantly occupied in the
necessary housework, she could not act as
matron and look after the girls
sent to the school as they should be looked
after in an institution where the co-edu-
cation of the sexes was necessity. The
example of the states lately admitted
into the union, as well as the other terri
tories were then cited. Colorado's ap-
preparation last year for this work was
$4,000 for new building, in which
there were now 100 pupils, for the sup
port Of each of whom $500 per annum
was provided by the state. Washington
appropriated for work among the deaf,
dumb and the blind $1,000 per annum
for the maintenance OF thirty-fve pupils
Utah $35, 200 for building, and $4,000
for maintenance; the rest showed
similar spirit. Is this great territory,
with its well managed finances and con-
sequent prosperous condition to lag be-
hind in this excellent work? The speak
er hoped not, but confidently trusted that
the representatives OF the people, who
were to assemble this winter would make
adequate provision for the needs of this
institution, and render it the blessing it
should be to the unfortunate as well as q
witness to the intelligence and charity OF
New Mexico. The school had seen dark
days in the past. The principal had
maintained it the first year by the aid of
the charitable people of Santa Fe, fore
most among whom was Mrs. Il. B.
Catron, and by the labor OF his own
hands. Out of rough boards he had con-
structed the furniture first used, while
his wife had toilel with him doing the
duties of housekeeper, cook, laundress
and general servant, and was still COM
PEELED to do so. Nevertheless, the work
had been courageously prosecuted, in
spite of all impediments, more or less of
which had been gradually removed, and
it was to be hoped that the light was
now breaking through the gloom, and
bright and prosperous day would succeed
the night in which they had been so long
cropping.
The Rev. Father Burke read short !
address and asked the people to make
contribution to the school, which he
proceeded to collect forthwith. The pro-
ceeds $l7, was put in the library fund by
the principal. The exercises were closed
with the benediction pronounced by Rev.
r. T. Burke. Congratulations were
offered to Mr.. and Mrs. Larsen coupled
with the wish that provision would be
made during the session OF the next legis-
lature to meet all the needs OF this most
excellent institution.