Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-01-20
Needed
-. Legislation.
OUR SCHOOL B Il .
IL Is Being Prostiruted Right Before
Our Eyes in Las Vegas.

To the Editor of the Optic.
LAS VEGAS, N. M, January 18th, 1897.
Replying to your inquiry regarding
needed legislation on the part Of our
next legislative assembly, venture to
make the following suggestions, which,
in my humble opinion, must impress
the minds and careful attention Of our
legislators.
The first OF all is the one which /
consider to be the corner stone and the
foundation of good government. adj
vancement and progress-Education |!
Who shall be the educator of our chill
dren and what methods shall be pur-
suedP
II has been already enacted by past
legislation that teachers examiners
shall be appointed by the school super
intendent and rs such, with tho CO.
operation of the superintendent, they
shall compose a full board of teachers
examiners; by them certificates are
issued to teachers, according to their
respective grades.
In some cases, they issue certificates
to so.called teachers, who, in my es-
timation, are more fit to be regular
boarders at the Hotel Bergman at
Santa Fe; in-some other cases, to men
who are very much given to the use Of
intoxicating liquors.
1t 10 my opinion that more care and
skill should be carefully exercised 10
the issuing Of such certificates, and
instead OF recognizing such people, ap-
point III their places, teachers who will
give satisfaction, justice to our children,
and step ahead with civilization, and
reflect credit to the ward and their
people, without regarding creed, color
or nationality.
The money collected for schools is
sacred and must not, under any cir
c~umstances, be given to drunkards and
scrubs; men who are 10 the habit OF
begging for whiskey and men unfit for
anything, must not DO under the charge,
custody and control of our children,
stealing our money. as it we're, and
throwing our posterity step by step
behind and in the most perpetual ig-
norance. Under snch a system in mat
tiers of education, / do not believe we
have any right 10 ask for statehood.
The law in this matter must be changed
in such a way as to Great a true and
perfect system OF education.
The levy made for county current
expenses under our present law is q
failure. County officers and men who
furnish supplies for county purposes,
and men who serve their county in any
capacity, are under such law defrauded
of their just dues, and the amount col
lected for such purpose is completely
inadequate and will not pay one-third
of the actual expenses, no matter how
small they are.
Corruption in politics has reached
the climax Of the situation. Candidates
are no longer elected upon their merits,
or those of The party they represent.
Bribery of voters has reached such a
degree that it cannot be explained
through the press and I hope that
the most effectual Legislation will be
enacted, in order that such wrongs may
be righted and that candidates may
not pay in advance three times Of what
their offices are worth.
There are a good many other sug-
g%estions to be made and presented to
the legislature which will tend to re-
lieve our people, but, of course, it will
be enlightened by men far o able
than myself.
In conclusion, / will say, that il the
proper legislation is passed according
to the wishes OF the people, which will
bring a general relief to ou suffering
humanity, then the birds will sing, the
sun will shine upon the very rich soil
of New Mexico, and the labors and
names of our lawmakers will form a
volume in the history of the great men
of New Mexico, being handed down to
posterity between book covers.
Yours respectfully,
PATRIcIo GONZALES.