Albuquerque daily citizen. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1895-1903, 1901-01-29
EDUCATIONAL PETITION.

ed in the council a petition from the
Educational association OF New Mex
leo. 1t states that since 1t is probable
that New Mexico will soon assume It's
rightful and proper place as one OF the
states of the Union. on which occasion
It is customary for the general gov
eminent to grant lands for education
al purposes. the association asks the
thirty-fourth assembly to unite In pc
| titioning gre to donate to our be-
| loved commonwealth a grant OF land
commensurate with our necessities"
The petition then says: Eat the pres
| ent time the general government Is
but recently acquired island possession
| paying much attention to giving our
distant but recently acquired Island
possessions the advantages or 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 any
attention from the general government
in educational matters until about
three years ago she received a partial
grant OF school lands, which are just
| DtklnulIlk - DIlIlh III an lANpih' ChA
| need OF aid In these matters has been
great at all times. II is we'll known
to you that our best lane Is included
in the numerous land and railway
grants, Indian and military reserva-
| lions, and government entries; so that
very little good or even fair agricul-
tural and remains out OF which to Sc
lect the land which congress may give
us. BY the grant OF 1898 the territory
was restricted from securing mineral
land OF any kind, or from selling timber
on leased land. As the future OF New
Mexico depends largely on the develop
ment OF our mineral resources, 1t ia but
natural and right TO expect that these
mineral resources should assist US in
| aiding and supporting our school sys-
tenn and other public institutions,
an making a donation OF land for
our common schools, congress will
probably give sections OF a definite num-
Der in each township throughout the
territory. 1t Is apparent to each one OF
you that a majority of these sections
will be worth little II anything for agri-
cultural or grazing purposes, although
a very few may contain minerals.
Therefore, to obtain a reasonable and
fair donation OF land, In actual value,
a much larger grant han usual at such
times should be given, also whatever
minerals this land may contain should
go with II,
ut is doubtless well known to you
that the funds now being used for the
maintenance OF schools are insufficient,
Many districts having 100 school child
rem are unable for lack OF funds 10
have more than three or our months
Of school per year. Numerous small
settlements, containing from ten to
thirty school children, have no school
facilities at all.
Therefore, we ask hat you petition
congress whenever statehood IL ac-
quired by New Mexico. in addition to
what has already been given to her,
there shah be granted for the common
schools four sections in each township,
or their equivalents, throughout the
state, and also 5 per cent of the pro-
ceeds OF the sales Of public lands made
subsequent to this donation, for the
university, the agricultural college and
normal schools. 100000 acres each; for
the school Of mines, military institute.
reform school, deaf and dumb asylum
and institute for the blind, 100000 acres
each"
The petition then recites at length
the experience OF Missouri, Nebraska,
Oklahoma and other states and terri
tories in successfully handling their ed
ucational land donations, and strongly
urges the adoption OF the leasing sys-
tenn in reference to such lands in New
Mexico. In fact, II asks that the as
sembly petition congress TO provide. in
making further donations, that these
lands shall never be sold, except as
much as is necessary for the location
OF schools, churches, cemeteries, right
OF way for public roads, railroads irri-
CATION bitches, and reservoirs and pub
ne necessities, with the additional re-
striction that they may be leased for
a term not exceeding twenty-five years,
subject 10 such rules and regulations
as may be adopted by tho Legislature
of New Mexico.