Las Vegas free press. (East Las Vegas, N.M.) 1891-1???, 1892-02-05
TERRITORIAL SCHOOLS.

We havereceived from Hon. Amado
Chaves q copy Of his first annual re-
port, pamphlet of Al pages, full of
facts and figures in relation to the
public schools of New Mexico. Mr..
Chayes in the report says:
"No opposition has been encoun-
tered in any part of the territory in
the matter of introducing English
speaking teachers in districts where
heretofore Spanish alone has been
taught. In this connection l have
to say that it is very pleasing to me
to be able to state from personal OBJ
servation that the greatest interest is
being shown in the Spanish counties
in behalf of the new law, which re-
quires that the English language
shall be taught in all the common
schools Of the territory.
"The law Las not been IN opera
ton long enough to show its effects
fully, but great progress is being
made in every one of the counties.
a number of new and substantial
school houses have been erected, bet
ter teachers have been employed
and the adoption of a uniform series
of books has improved the work,
also reducing expenses considerably.
ain several of the counties bonds
have been issued and sold for the cree
ton Of new school houses; this is
especially the case in the county of
San Juan. regret that more sat
isfactory showing of the financial
condition of some of the counties
can not be made at this time. Here
toforc district treasurers were required
to make annual reports in the month
of December Under the present
law the offices of district treasurers
are abolished, and many Of the pres
ent directors have not yet come to
understand fully the workings of the
new system.
"Under the provisions of the pres
ent law no person can teach in this
territory without being in lawful pos
session of proper certificate. Such
a certificate is issued only TO persons
who have passed a satisfactory ex-
animation before n board of examin-
ers composed of the county superln-
tendent and two leading citizens of
each county, selected and appointed
by the district judge, The result of
this provision has been that every
one of the common schools of this
territory is now taught by compe-
tent teacher well versed in the En-
glish language, and in many cases in
both English and Spanish.
The progress that is being made
by the native children Is satisfactory
in the highest degree, and it is appa-
rent that before many more years
there will be no necessity for inter
prefers ~ our courts or legislatures.
interest is on the in
crease in all parts of The territory,
and, taken as whole, the common
schools for the past year have been
successful BY improving the add
yantages which the new law gives us
a good business education is within
the reach of all classes, the rich and
the poor alike.
"1he territory is fortunate in the
fact that, in the beginning of this
new era OF education, its county
school supenntendents are men of
intelligence and ability, as well as
thoroughly devoted to the cause of
and the result of their la
bors will no doubt be of great bene-
it to tho territory.
"lhere is a great deal of interest
at present among the peo-
pie to visit the schools. The teach
,rs that have so far been employed
/