The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-03-12
ENGLISH N NEW MEXICO.
Americas Ideas Spreading md the
Territory Now Making Progress.

The territory OF New Mexico. which was
organized tn $40 and had by the Federal
census Of Isss9 fatal population Of iss,9s
HAD by the same census the unenvfaia.e
distinction Of having a higher ratio Of
fiIjteracy among the white population
than auy other civil division in the United
Gtatea OF the total number of white
inhabitants In New Mexico over the age
Of 10 years. a per cent were reported as
iliiterate. Though IN the country at large
the ratio IL only per cent. Moreover.
the ratio Of iliiteracy among the colored
population was higher $50 per cent, I'm
New Mexico than In any other Etao or
territory. The number OF Spanish speak
ing residents Of New Mexico was higher
than In any other civil division of the
country I'm proportion To the whole popsi-
laf!on. The Industrial and educational
backwardnsss of New Mexico is a herIt 5
age Of Spanish rule anI Spanish methods
which has been further perpetuated BY
physical conditions OF the territory UNI
favorable 20 immigration. The last re-
port Of the interior department shows,
however, that the Introduction OF Amsri-
can notions and the acceptance OF Amer
lean methods are bringing about rad
sicai change in New Mexiee the present
population nj which IL put by the terri
torial governor AT 81 00a due I'm chief
measure 10 the influx Of new immigrants
The educational institutions of the ter
rftory are now reported 10 be IN a flour
fshing condition. The enrolment in publ
lie schools is given az is0 327: average
daily attendance. D6.Sis: number Of
schools. s.sssa. receipts. q. 80 Gis. IS. .xpen-
ditures. 81 .ssO.s7s.t. Seveniy-nine per cent
OF the present population are able to
read and write. leaving only q per cent
Of ihterates. There has been Il marked
change since lsea
It Is estimated TIM. the percentage nf
the Inhabitants unable 20 speak English
win not. in iae, exceed Is per cent. as
against Sill per cent. as shown by the
census or ten years ago. The chief bar
~ the admission Of New Mexico rs a
atate has heretofore been not the tiearfh
OF population or lack of material re-
sources. but the fact that the ratio OF H.
Hteracy was so high and the influ.nee OF
foreign methods and customs SO great
BY the census NJ 1870. ga Before stated
tho total population OF New Mexico was
leS.DS and lay the same census Wyoming
had a population OF ~ 0ap and Idaho ny
Mese, collectively less than New Mexico
but both have been admitted into the
Union with all the rights of states and
with two senators each Nevada which
has been "a state since 1854. had hy the
last census. q total population % only
t5"ce. and Montana had. when admitted
population OF only f9U0. North paku-
Ia. whea admitted as IL state. had q uoru-
laison 81 only 1senn, and the population
OF New Mexico nine years ago was Very
little less than thai of Delaware The
large number ~ ttsttcrate Inhabitants In
Naw Mexico however has been "A bar to
the favorable consideration OF ifs desire
Tor statehood. but this bar 10 would seem
from the reports OF the interior depart
pient. Is being rapidly removed. An cst~
eonragsng evidence of the spread af
American ideas in the territory is referred
IN ny the secretary al the interior In his
report. quoting the territorial governor.
More men in New Mexico responded an
dee eaes call than were r.aulred Ia alI
Our quota. ard la their eagrfneSs 10
serve their country II Is estimated that
80 enlisted IN the regular army and ia ths,
regiments from the states, sonv OF whom,
are uow with the army in the Philippine
islands Thus New Mexico has furnished
l.ses soldiers for the late war, and wouitl
and could have furnished many more
had the opportunity been afforded New
York Sun.