Albuquerque weekly citizen. (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1891-19??, 1901-02-02
nnrcArToNAL prrrrToN

Councilman Thomas Hughes present
ed IN the council a petition from the
Educational association OF New Mex
leo. Il states that since Il IL probable
that New Mexico will soon assume its
rightful and proper place as one Of the
states OF the Union. ON which occasion
Il h customary for the general gov
eminent 20 grant lands for education
al purposes. the association asks the
thlrty-fourth assembly 10 unite In pc
titioning congress 70 donate to our be-
loN "a commonwealth grant os land
commensurate with our necessities
The petition then says "At the pres
ent time the general government y
but recently acquired island possession
paying much attention TO giving our
distant but recently acquired island
possessions the advantages of public
schools New Mexico was acquired
over half a century ago by the United
states. and In something the same way
as Porto Rico and the Philippines.
But our territory received scarcely
attention from the general government
in educational matters until about
three years ago she received partial
grant OF school lands, which are Just
beginning 10 bring IN an income. our
need OF aid IN these matters has been
great at all times n IA well known
20 YOU that our best land Is included
in the numerous land and railway
grants. indian and military reserva-
tions. and government entries, 30 that
very little good or even fair egricul-
tural land remains out of which to Sc
lect the land which congress may give
us. by the grant OF is9s the territory
was restricted from securing mineral
land Of any kind. or from selling timber
on leased land As the future of New
ndexico depends largely on che develop
snent OF our mineral resources u IL 5ul
natural and right 10 expect that thes'
mineral resources should assist M u
aiding and supporting our school sys
ten aud other public institutions
"In making a donation or land 10
our common schools, congress VII
probably give sections Of dennite mum
Der in each township throughout IN
territory. II Ia apparent 20 each one o
YOU that a majority of these section
will ba worth little u anything for agri
cultural or grazing purposes. although
very AFN NlNN NHtAhNfH
therefore 10 obtain reasonable an
fair donation OF land, In actual vala'
much larger grant than usual az sue
times should be given, also whateve
minerals this land may contain shoul
so with a.
IL Is doubtless well known 20 20
that the funds now being used for th
maintenance OF schools are inHufiieien
Many districts having 100 school child
rem are unable for lack OF funds
have more than three or four month
OF school per year. Numerous ama
settioments. containing from ten
thirty school children. have no scho'
facilities az all.
Therefore. We ask that you petitic
congress whenever statehood Ia a.
auired by New Mexico. In addition
what has already been given to he
there shall be granted for the eomms
schools four sec ons lB each townshi
or their equivalents. throughout u
state, and also per cent % the pr
ceeds of che sales of public lands ma
Subsequent 10 thia donations for q
university. the agricultural college al
normal schools. 10000 acres each 7
che school OF mines, military institu
reform school. deaf and dumb asylu
and institute fos the blind 10000 acr
each"