Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1892-07-02

runs TO such risk. She has solid
stable, responsible and conservative ele
ment in her native population, which
counteracts the danger. They are at
tached to the soil and have 10 thought OF
leaving. They are identified with the
country and naturally opposed to rash
schemes which involve extravagsnt ex-
pense and debt. By themselves they
might be too slow and non progressive,
but mixed with the over.zealous Ameri.
can, they form an admirable combination
1t is this conservative element which
makes New Mexico far more ready in
many respects for self-government than
most other territories can hope to he for
years.
Another objection which has been
urged against us is that of
fILIrERACY.
Some years ago there may have been
some force in this argument, but it is fast
disappearing. In no respect has New
Mexico been making such rapid progress
as in public education. Even under the
crude system which existed before the
public school law of 1891, the number of
children under instruction had increased
in ratio lar in advance Of the population.
The late census developed the fact that
while the population OF the territory in
creased % per cent during the decade
from 1880 to 1890, the number of children
enrolled in the schools increased 2S3 per
cent, or ten times as rapidly. The crown
ing work OF the last legislature YVES that
relative to public education. Under its
benefcient provisions, the educational
system is improving with great rapidity.
1t should be remembered that all this
has to be done by direct taxation, as We
have no school fund whatever. We can
state. Should you deprive all OF the states
OF their school funds lamentable condi
ton OF affairs would result in many OF
them. With statehood come the grants
OF lands from the public domain for edu-
cational purposes. Being a territory, we
have no grant and no fund. 1t is not our
fault, for We have been asking for these
for years. If there is any fault about it,
it is that of congress, which has deprived
us OF this among many other rights that
come with statehood. If the educational
matter is to be weighed against us, ii
should be weighed in the direction OF
giving us statehood which will increase
our means for public education, rather
than in depriving us OF it.
CONCLUSION.
In every respect in which she can CON
troll her own destiny, New Mexico is i'm.
proving and advancing. Her population
and wealth are increasing. Railroads
are reaching every section. The prod
ucts of agriculture and horticulture, OF
the sheep range and the mines are all
enlarged. Great systems of modern irri
cation are multiplying her fruitful acreage
The incubus Of the past-the uncertainty |
of land titles-is being removed by the
new land court Wholesome and benef-
ciaf legislation is adding to the general
prosperity. Thus in every way the ten
dency is upward and onward. The sole
obstacle to rapid advancement is the con-
tihued territorial condition. 1t is impos-
sible to obtain money for needed develop
hcub III bcIIllOIy. IdSlClu CdpltdlletS
will not loan or invest, as they have an
idea that there is no stability OF govern
ment or, security for property without !
statehood. To certain extent immigra-
ton is also retarded. 1t is apt to be
thought that territory is backward and
progressive. The admission of New
Mexico into the Union will give great
impetus to its prosperity. Population
will flow in with rapidity. The capital
wanted for the development of
our resources will be easily OBJ
tained Rates of interest will be low
cred. We will be relieved from certain
statutes hich now impede
our progress. The people will feel that
they are really American citizens, and not
aliens or servants. All this will enkindle !
invigorate our energies, slimu-
late enterprise and lead us on to
glorious future.
l.. BRADFORD PRINCE,
Governor of New Mexico |