Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1899-05-24
ENGLISH IN NEW MEXICO.
American Ideas Are Spreading and
the Territory Now Making
Great Progress.


Great Progress.
The territory Of New Mexico, which
was organized in 1850 and had by the
federal census of 1890 total population
of $4,000, had by the same census the
unenviable distinction Of having high
er ratio Of illiteracy among the white
population than any other civil division
in the United States. OF the total num-
Der of white inhabitants in New Mex
leo over the age of 10 years, Al per cent
were returned as illiterate. though in
the country at large the ratio is only
z per cent. Moreover. the ratio OF Hit
eracy among the colored population
was higher $50 per cent? in New Mex
leo than in any other state or territory.
The number Of Spanish-speaking resi-
dents Of New Mexico was higher than
in any other civil division of the coun-
try in proportion TO the whole popula.
ton. The industrial and educational
baclxwardness of New Mexico is her
itage of Spanish rule and Spanish meth
DDS, which has been further perpet-
uated by physical conditions Of the
territory unfavorable TO immigration.
The last report of the interior depart
ment shows, however, that the intro
duction of American notions and the
acceptance OF American methods are
bringing about a radical change in New
Mexico, the present population Of
which is put by the territorial governor
at 2s2, COO, due in chief measure TO the
influx Of new immigrants.
The educational institutions Of the
territory are now reported to be in a
flourishing condition. The enrolment
in public schools is given as 150,327;
average daily attendance, 105,sl9; num-
Der of schools, 1895; receipts $780,
613.ss; expenditures, 81 800, 376.1G. Sew
enty-nine per cent of the present pop
ulation are able to read and write, leav-
ing only 81 per cent. of illiterates
There has been a marked change since
1890.
1t is estimated that the percentage OF
the inhabitants unable to speak Eng
lish will not, in 1900, exceed IS per cent,
as against Gill per cent. as shown
by the census of ten years ago. The
chief bar to the admission of New Mex
leo as a state has heretofore been not
the dearth of population or lack of ma
terial resources, but the fact that the
ratio of ilhteracy was so high and the
influence of foreign methods end Gus
toms so great. BY the census of 1890
as before stated, the total population
Of New Mexico was $4,000 and by the
same census Wyoming had population
of 1000 and Idaho of $4,000, collective
ly less than New Mexico, but both have
been admitted into the union with all
the rights of states and with two sen.
ntors each. Nevada, which has been q
state since 1864, had, by the last census
total population of only $1,000, ant
Montana had when admitted popula
ton of only 10000. North Dakota
when admitted as a state had q pop
ulation Of only 10000, and the popu
| lation Of New Mexico nine years ago
was very little less than that of Del
aware The large number of iliterat'
! Inhabitants in New Mexico. however
has been bar to the favorable con
sidoration of its desires for statehood
but this bar, it would seem from IN
reports of the interior department, i
being rapidly removed. An encourag
ing evidence of the spread Of Amer
lean ideas in the territory is referee
TO by the secretary Of the interior j
his report. quoting the territorial gov
I ernor More men in New MCXico re
sponded under each call than were II
quired to FIJI our quota, and in thei
) eagerness to serve their country it
e estimated that $50 enlisted in the regl
lar army and in the regiments froI
, the states, some of whom are now wit
the army in the Philippine island
thus New Mexico has furnished 1,0'
soldiers for the late war, and would an
could have furnished many more Ia
the opportunity been afforded. ~.