Albuquerque weekly citizen. (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1891-19??, 1903-01-24

centage of gain In population and per
centage OF gain and loss In public
school enrolment.)
The superintendent OF public instruc
tion takes issue with the figures as
given by the census of 1900 and AYERS
that at this time scarce Is per cent OF
our inhabitants are illiterate; that "a
per cent are American born and that
four-fifths of them speak the English
language
The general interest In the public
schools among the people is constantly
growing. as the good work accomplish.
ed by them IL seen and appreciated.
The normal schools held each year in
every county are productive OF great
good in stimulating the teachers In
their work, and In learning new and
improved methods of teaching. The
act of the last legislature providing for
a territorial board of education and
making attendance on county normals
| compulsory has proved of the greatest
benefit. and altogether, our common
school system and its administration
Is most admirable. The voluminous
and interesting report OF the superin.
tendent of public instruction has been
printed for the information of your
body and the people, but unfortunately
there was no money available Tor the
payment of the same. ThS is one of
the most important documents for the
Information of the people at home and
abroad, that has been Issued by the
territory. and | would earnestly rec
ommend that provision be made at
once for the payment of the same
Also this very important Office
should have a clerk. The business is
constantly increasing and the law of
the last session entails vast amount
OF additional work upon the superin-
tendent of public instruction. which
II is impossible for him to perform un-
aided, and while he is absent visiting
the different counties as required by
law, there should he some person In
charge % attend to correspondence
and personal inquiries. would there
fore recommend that this oEcer be
allowed clerk at a reasonable salary
to be provided for in the appropriation
bill.
The superintendent OF public instrue-
ton points out in his report many con-
ficts and Inconsistencies In the pres.
ent school laws which may be rene
died by simple amendment of existing
statutes. These relate to the gather.
ing of school statistics. fixing the
scholastic year, enlarging the powers
OF county superintendents. the time
and method OF electing district direc.
tors. the collection of the poll tax.
method of enforcing longer school
terms In the rural districts. etc. all OF
which ! cordially commend to your
prudent consideration. Particularly
important Is the superintendent sug.
gestion touching the gathering OF sta
tistical information. These statistics
are becoming more important each
year, Their collection and careful
compilation will ever henceforth have
marked bearing upon the good name
OF the territory and Its people. In the |
past, failure on the part of county SUI
perintendents and others in supplying
such statistics has caused the educa-
tional department much embarrass-
ment and unnecessary expense, and
therefore cordially approve OF the rec.
ommendation that section 1928, com.
piled laws, be so amended as to make |
a penalty OF fine and Imprisonment. |
tho fnrmar h..
superintendent official bond on fail. |
ure to make report as required by law,
or removal from Office. Also an earn. |
est plea is made by the superintendent |
for the betterment of conditions In the |
rural school districts. wherein we have |
some 10000 children who are espec-
tally In need at this time of the foster.
ing care OF the territory.
Under the law our text book con.
tract expires in June. 1903. The super.
intendent OF pu- .ic instruction urges
the Importance Of providing some sys-
TEN OF free text books, at least free to
these children OF the rural districts,
and presents strcEg argument In
support OF his position II Is further
pointed out that provision should be
made for the publication and distribu-
tton to proper officials of all laws OR
school subjects Immediately upon their
passage by the Legislature, and 1t 10
urged that provision should be made
Tor complete compilation of all
school laws to the end that officials
and teachers shall be fully apprised of
their duties, a very great hardship hav.
ng been wrought during the past four
years because OF this grave oversight
m our educational system. Also the
lime has now arrived says the superin.
Iendent. when II is absolutely impossi-
Die to attempt longer TO conduct the
Affairs of this worthy department OF
the territory's puolic service without
clerical assistance. II is singular
TACT that the Legislature at each recur-
ring session for years past has dis.
played free hand In enactins new !
laws on the subject of the schools and