Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1893-01-04

sembly.
As to the progress in educational mat
ters during the year he says; ..
''There has been great progress in
school work during the past year in near
ly all the counties of the territory, as will
appear from the accompanying statement
which gives a fair insight as to the
amount of work done in each county dur
ing the year. This has been specially
true in the districts deriving benefit from
licenses. I regret to have to say that in
districts where license money has not
been available the work accomplished
has not been as satisfactory as would
otherwise have been. One-half of the
license money, at least, should go to the
general school fund. On the whole, ex-
cellent work has been done, and with
more ample means greater good results
will be obtained. The mistake in i'm
posing two mill levy for the school fund
last year proved to be serious one, par
ticularly in the small weak districts where
no part of the large amount derived from
licenses could be used. 1t is the small
weak districts that need aid and encour-
| agement, the large ones are able to take
care of themselves, am pleased to see
that for the coming year levy of three
mills has been made"
He reports great improvement in the
character, attachments and ability of the
teachers employed and says that the
adoption of a uniform system Of text
books has been attended by very good
results.
He reports the following conclusions
arrived at after two years duty as super
intendent of public instructions:
'First. That as regards quantity of
of work done, measured by attendance
and length of schools, there has been
marked improvement.
Second. In quality of work, as indi-
Gated by character of teachers, by scope
of studies pursued by supply and char
acter of text books and appliances used,
and by character and efficiency of local
supervision, there was also marked i'm
provement.
"Third. AS affected by improved
school buildings and by better system
of management, their general condition
was noticeably improved.
"Fourth. AS affected by growing
public interest and appreciation of their
work, there was substantial improvement
and is promise of still better things for
the future"
The schools in the several incorporated
towns and cities in the territory are in
hourlshing condition, and the private
schools are also in first-class shape.
Five hundred and eight public schools
were maintained during the year in the
532 school districts; the average daily at
tandance was over 10000, and a full
quarter of million of dollars was spent
for public school purposes during 1892;
the total number of persons of school
age is about $4,000.
These figures are exclusive of the pub
lie schools in incorporated cities and
towns, and of the county of Eddy. H.
Guiding these it is estimated that there
were over $50 public schools with an aver
age attendance of over 10000 maintained
during the year with an expenditure of
over 100000 during 1892.
1t is patent that under the careful,
polite, earnest and conscientious super
vision of Mr.. Chaves the school system
of New Mexico has made great strides
during the year 1891, and even more SO
during the year 1892.
His report for the past year shows a
very marked improvement and further
more that our people are anxious and
willing to avail themselves of the benefits
of the public schools for their children.
The schools are conducted in the English
language; the teachers must all speak the
English language and many of them
speak also the Spanish language fluently.
Mr.. Chaves has made splendid record
as superintendent of public instruction
and is the right man for the position.
His large acquaintnce with all classes of
our people, his urbanity and courtesy,
the sincere interest he takes in the edu-
cation of the people of the territory and
his fine educational attainments have
been of great and lasting service to the
territory and have in no small measure
contributed to the healthy growth and
very creditable condition of the public
schools of New Mexico.
The New MEXICAN congratulates the
people of New Mexico upon having had
during the most difficult and trying period
of the operation of their public schools
an official so peculiarly we'll qualified in
every respect for the delicate and ouer-
Gus duties of the superintendent CT public
instruction, also congratulates Governor
Prince in having made such az excellent
selection and Mr.. Chaves upon the highly
successful and able manner in which he
has performed his duties during the past
two years.
Mr.. Chaves' report deserves the careful
and diligent perusalo of ali those interested
in our school system, in the education of
people of New Mexico, and in the ad-
vancement and progress of the common
wealth.