Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1899-05-25
= FOR EITHER Sc,
Mr.. LANKARD'S STATEMENT.
Says he Was rendered a Position by Four
of the School Board.

- WV ~ 0VWANs
Editor New Mexican-It was not my
intention to make any reply to the re-
cent school talk in this city until my
conversation with your reporter yester-
day. I did not say that l had been
begged by members of the school board
to place my application with them. I
I said that l had been requested by men,
bers of the school board to make appli-
cation. I did not say that the opposition
was a conspiracy against me. I said
that the opposition has been worked up,
and that persons were invited to attend
the meeting al Mr.. Reads office, and
that persons who are almost strangers
to me, and know next to nothing about
me, were invited to attend and lend aid
to the meeting. 1 said, and I repeat it
here, that the comments were unjust
and untrue, as they have been reported
to me. l was not there, and can not
speak from personal knowledge.
Two years ago it was common talk
among the people that the schools Of
this city must be closed for lack of
funds. The matter was canvassed by
the board of education at that time, and
it was finally arranged to have school.
I took charge of the schools Of the city
/ at a time when a man with two grains
of common sense could foresee hal we
could not have successful schools under
the conditions that existed then. I have
never said that they were. successful.
| and never expected them to be SO at
the beginning. 1t was a question of
having some school. l took the schools;
certainly not for the salary, but for the
purpose Of trying to do what little good
I could, and to keep the schools open. I
have smarted under the criticisms from
that day to this, and would like nothing
| better than to prove to the people Of
this city that l have been misjudged.
Our work two years ago was a case OF
making bricks without straw with per-
sons ever ready to steal the clay away
| also. Permit me to say that seven years
Of my life has been spent in educational
| work, and during that time I have built
up a reputation that am not ashamed
| of, but it has remained for the good
people of this city to practically destroy
the results Of my seven years of hard
toll in my profession in SO far as 1t per-
tains to my reputation as a teacher. I
was approached by two members Of the
board of education and requested to
| place my application with them for SUI
perintendent Of our schools.
I thought the matter over and placed
my application with the secretary Of
| the board of education. I have not tried
to influence the board of education in
any manner Four members of the
| board came to my office in a body and
told me hat they would support me for
| superintendent Of schools. I did not
ask them to come, but they came Of
| their own choice. I never spoke to a
| member of the school board except
when l was approached, until l found
| were opposing me. I did then talk to
| MI. Weltmer, and I do not believe that
he will say that tried to change him
from his position. / afterward talked
to Mr.. Hogle, and / am quite sure that
he will not accuse me Of trying to infiu-
ence him. I am not trying to force my
self upon the schools of this city. As to
my qualifications, ask the teachers who
attended the county normal institute
last year. Then If you wish further evil
ao-no 7 v,,s1l c1p, nv Vyr,, hot r mo oro nt.
| ed a professorship by the state Of
Pennsylvania in 1886. During the sever
years In which I was engaged in educa-
tional work, / worked five years under
! one board of education and two years
under another. The change Of boards
was due to my removing to another
state. Yours very truly,
Santa Fe, May "a.
8. e. LANYARD.