The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-06

barriers of opposition have been slowly bat
tered down until now the opportunity of Sc
curing public school education is not only
within reach of every child in populOus COM
munitiss. but attendance at school between
the ages OF six and twelve is also compul-
sorry.
The republic has to-day a force of 24.OOO
school teachers, one-fourth of whom are
women. Eight million dollars are expended
annually to carry forward the work of pop
ular education. Written examinations are
held at regular intervals. instruction is free
10 all qualified students gradual ting from the
high school desiring to pursue their studies
in any OF the higher institutions Of learning
under the control of the nation.
In the past the efforts at primary educa-
ton at public expense have been greatly
hampered by the scarcity of available funds
and the almost stolcal indifference and. in
some Instance. even the open opposition of
the people toward intellectual training. The
material prosperity Of late years Is consid-
erablyl swelling the income OF the public
treasury.
The aim OF Mexico's legislators and wise
ruler Is to educate the working class. believ-
ing that 1t will stir I'D their ambition and
make better workers and more trustworthy
citizens OF them.
The work OF the public school teachers
within the past twenty years is shown by
the diminishing percentage of illiteracy.
Comparatively few Of the younger people
are unable to read and write and manipu-
late figures in elementary computations.
The reading public is demanding libraries
and newspapers. There are now one hun
1ra1 rorfna In, fHa
Gals. IS OF which are daily newspapers, 243
weekliss and the remainder monthlies and
ouarterlies. Fifteen papers are published in
English IN fact, next to the Spanish Ian
guage English is the most popular and IA
vored a branch OF public instruction.
II is clear that the strong and determined
hand Of the national government is back of
this widespread educational movement. The
church resisted the encroachment OF the
state IN the domain Of popular education.
The reform movement Of 1850 did not sup
press the parochial schools as IL did the
nunneries and monasteries- The church was
allowed to retain the educational control of
the children of it's adherents but the church
schools were brought under state inspection
70 the end that the standard of work would
be kept on a par with the instruction OF
children In state schools. In many cases the
two forces are active. working in harmony
and disseminating popular education with
equal zeal
Protestant mission schools. supported by
missionary societies In the United States
are conducted in number OF the larger
cities These are encouraged by the state,
but opposed by the church
There is in this city the Morales College
a splendid institution of learning. supported
by the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
and efficiently managed during the past six
years by the Misses Turner and Spencer,
two sstimable and highly educated ladies
from Texas. Miss Turner tells me that the
several departments of instruction are grow
ing In favor with progressive Mexicans and
that the children OF some OF the best fami-