Deming graphic. (Deming, N.M.) 1903-1948, 1903-06-24
REPLY TO SKINNER.
Rev. ThOs. HarwOOd Reviews Pro-
dress OF Territorial Schools

by heV, lnJss iltit "opd @hN P""i''"N
in III Abogado Crissiano; because we
feel thai nVparson IS in better posi-
ton to give the facts in regard 70 oar
schools .han Or. Harwood who has
spent thirty years in missionary and
educational work in the territory, and
surely no one could have more interest
than he whose sole ambition Is TO aid
and encourage the spiritual and intel
lectual advancement Of the people,
without any though of personal gam.
We are not in the habit Of making
any unfavorable reference to our Pres
byterian brethern or their work in this
territory, for in one sense our work is
all one and we have always given them
credit for doing a good work, but when
one of their principal men, away from
home; before body Of probably more
than 700 of the most select preachers
and laymen of their church, strikes
such an unlocked for blow at New
Mexico, its people, our missionary
work and statehood, we would not be
true to the Mexican people, the Ame-
rican people, the church work and
territory did we not resent It, The
following is said to be an exact state
ment made by Mr.. Skinner at the gen
eral assembly of the Presbyterian
church. recently held in Los Angeles
Cal. and said to have been reported by
one of their own stenographers. We
have looked for and awaited for de-
NAL or some explanation of what is re-
ported as having been said by him and
as a greater part of month has pass
ed since his address was made and 1t
has been in almost all the papers in New
Mexico. both English and spanish, we
infer that there is no denial OF any
part of the address or explanation to
be made. and hence we give the follow
ing as a part Of his address referring
to New Mexico, with comments
ii shall endeavor to speak the very
last thing they want to hear in my
country, the truth. They are afraid
of it. or dodge it, or deny it. We have
a population Of 100000, 100000 Mexi
cans
''Not 10 per cent Of the Mexican'
have any education whatever; all are
looked upon with contempt by The
whites.
'We have no common schools tina
are worthy the name. luolic instruc
tion is the variest farce and whole fam
lilies of all conditions are being brough
up in absolute ignorance. prophee'
that it will take fifty years before VI
have any adequate system, and durlnI
that time charity is all for which W
can hope.
"There is in this country brethren
with It's 1000 poor, illiterate children
bought and sold like cattle at ever
election and at lower prices, into who's
hands you propose to put the ballot O
citizenship. Why, statehood is tn
very last thing that is wanted out ther
by men with public veal at heart
Perncious private influences sought 1t
bat my prayer, morning, noon an
night, is, from statehood. from corpC
rate influence and from Matthew Quay
on Lord deliver us, etc.
mot 10 per cent Of the Mexican
have any education whatever. S
said Mr.. Simmer.
The above statement was very nearl
true thirty-four years ago when MI
SINNERS church and some Others b'
gan their school work in New Mexico
bl.if it is true now, why call for MOI
scaools? MIR. Skinner says III
churches must put in more schools.
Blu. why, if the mission schools "
have had all these years have not n
du ed the per cent OF llliteracy! I
did not Mr.. Skinner forget himse
wlen he said that mot 10 per cent
the Mexicans have any educati'
whatever" and imagine himself ba'
over quarter of century ago? WI
cJuid not Mr.. Skinner see that he WI
turning his battery upon his own RAM
and njuring his own cause? II
church reports twenty-three schoo
in New Mexico forty-six teachers,
525 students, and SSS,472 expend'
last year: bu. what does II avail if d
ilHteraey stands the same as when
before such work was commences
And the Methodist Episcopal church
ported last year thirteen schools, min
Teen teachers 3O5 scholars. I. the Co
gregationalists, six schools, elev'