Albuquerque daily citizen. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1895-1903, 1902-03-29
New Mexico Normal University
PAST AMI FUTURE.

quoting from last years report of
the board of regents to the governors
Office for the department of the in.
terror, this institution was created, by
act OF the thirtieth legislative assem-.
bly, on February IL. 1893. as one of two
normal schools established for .ue ter.
ritory of New Mexico. After procuring
a Suitable site, the construction of the
building for the use of the institution
was begun; but owing to insuficiency
OF funds remained unfinished and unfit
for occupation, in whole or i'm part,
until 1898, when a movement among
the citizens of Las Vegas resulted in
the subscription of the cund of $19.335.
in the form of an advance to the ter
ritory for completing and euuipping
the building. This was done and the
school opened in October. 1898. Pro-
vision was made by the legislature of
1893 for refGnding the money thus sub
scribcd In three yearly installments,
and by the same act the name of the
institution was changed to hat of the
Normal University of New Mexico.
Since the opening of the school it has
steadily progressed in attendance, and
also in facilities for instruction. In
connection with the creation of this in
stition and the promotion Of varit us
measures for its welfare. the nanaes
of two loyal citizens will ever be linked
i~nseparably. THESE are Hon. James
Duncan and Hon. Frank Springer, both
of whom have represented their dis
trict in the legislative assembly and
have given much time and thought to
the institution. Hon. j. d. w. Veeder
was a moving spirit in the creation of
the school. and Hon. Edward Henry
one of its early and influential regents.
1t has been the good fortune of the
writer to observe the development of
the school from the summer of 1897, a
time when it vas as yet impossible to
form a fair idea of what would come
out of this whose exterior walls were
not half finished, and whose interior it
was exceedingly difficult, not to say
dangerous. to inspect intelligently.
But, without floor. door. or roof, there
was eve then about that massive pile
Of masonry something of the grandeur
that must cad one irresistihly on to
build for 1t in fancy a mighty and a
glorious future.
board of regents chose a president,
hoping. somehow, to be able to open
the school the year following. Viewed
in the light of cold facts. there were
few things more unlikely to happen
than tie opening of this school at the
time Observation-Disclosures for, wished
for and eagerly worked for by the gen.
tiemen who then constituted, as they
still constitute, this honorable body.
As seen from his report, there was
a most distressing scarcity OF funds,
not only to finish the building. but also
to furnish and equip 1t. No aid could
come through legislative apportion-
ment for at least another year. be it
for building and equipment or for oper-
ating expenses. However, these gen.
tlemen together with the able presi-
dent they had chosen, had announced
the opening for October. 1898, and one
needed only to know them to feel con-
vinced that the announcement would
not be cancelled. Guided by a former
experience of President Hewett, they
proposed to appeal to the town pride
of the prominent citizens of Las Vegas
that should prompt them to raise a
sufficient sum OF money to start the in
~stitution in operation. A careful can
vas of the town was made and in an
incredibly short time the sum of nearly
$50 600 was raised among them. These
funds were most wisely disposed of.
The building was finished. the rooms
were furnished. and the several depart
ments provided with the most neces-
sary supplies and equipment for labor
atory and class room work.
The writer knows with what scrupu-
lous care the chief of this yet unborn
institution searched among The great
schools both east and west for suitable
teachers that he might launch his ship
most auspiciously on the day set for
that great event. In that search for
men and women of professional ability.
and splendid character. how he was
imporruned by friends and former col
leagues, How he went on unfiinching.
unheeding, with the sole purpose to OBJ
tain the best teaching force that could
be had, the most enthusiastic, the most
scholarly, the most cultured and withal
the most harmonious that one may
eyer hope to find combined under one
head. And in spite of many predictions
to-the contrary, the school vas opened
for students on the day announced. On
March 4th following the school was
formally dedicated with the dedication
address of Hon. Frank Springer. presi-
dent of the board of regents, and the
presidents inaugural address, in the
presence of the most distinguished
mel and women of the territory. The
addresses were OF q style lofty and
noble, stating the purpose of the
school. ats place among the territorial
institutions. its unlimited possibilities
to the realization of which the speak
ers pledged all their efforts. Hon. Z.
Z Bartlett and Hon. Max Luna also
pronounced inspiring addresses. There
were in all these addresses a prophetic
ring that BODIED we'll for the future of
the school and the commonwealth.
How well this prophecy has been full
filled, every educator OF the territory
knows. and every citizen OF even or
binary intelligence in this part of the
territory has long since felt sufficient
Iy to attest TO its splendid influence ON
every pha sc of education with a readi-
ness that ought to be, to say the least,
a most satisfactory recognition OF the
progress which the school has made
in the four short years of it's exist
enee
- - tho Lrrtta