Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1904-08-27
CLIMATE AND
SCHOOLS
A Good Word for Santa Fe BY
Superintendent Heiney Of
Ration.
ADVANTAGES ARE MANY
The Cities Of New Mexico Are Keeping
Abreast With the Communities
Of the East

William II. Heiney, superintendent
of the publis schools of Ration, who on
Thursday finished his efficient work as
conductor of the Santa Fe County
Teachers Institute, had the following
to say to representative of the New
Mexican:
"This is my first visit to the Ancient
City. ! came to conduct the teachers
institute, but, with Mrs Heiney and
our two children, have been enjoying
the sights and the climate of the Capt.
tai without restrictions. I have ar
rived at the conclusion that it takes
a living, home experience to quail
ty one to safely judge climatic and
other permanent advantages and disad-
vantages of locality, and having lived
in eight different states of this coun-
try, | trust that may be excused the
presumption of the belief that | pos
sess some of the attributes of an ex-
pert on climate, and with that conceit
am willing to hazard my reputation by
rendering an emphatic verdict in favor
of New Mexico.
81 have been in Ration two years and
have found the climate there to be
such as will delight the spirit of any
one familiar only with the elements
of the east, but unless New Mexico is
at this time enjoying an unusually
good season, generally, Ration will
10 y;c1J fha NJ nf Santa Etn
to superiority in this one particular.
Ration Prosperous.
= "Raton, however, is enjoying a large
measure of prosperity. More resi-
adences have been erected in the past
year or eighteen months than in any
previous four or five years. During
the past year we have had devoted to
our thrift the energies of well-con.
Quoted and live commercial club. Cat
tie have been, and are still, in excellent
condition, and for more than a year
our local butchers have been entirely
supplied with first-class stock from the
home ranges. Besides many fat cattle
and sheep have been turned into the
eastern market, and this with no feed
ut the range. The Johnson Mesa far
mers have the finest crops of wheat.
oats, barley, alfalfa and potatoes they
have grown in years, and the garden
ers about town are easily and abund-
antly supplying the town and surround
ing mining camps with the choicest
qualities and varieties of vegetables
and fruit.
Interest in Mining.
ssWhile it cannot be said that there
is any mining excitement, there is
an interest, and growing, yet conserva-
tive, interest in the richness OF the Red
River District. The healthfulness OF
the situation is manifested by the fact
that no one is conspicuous in his en-
thusiasm, but everybody hs making a
quiet endeavor to get his hands on
something without anyone knowing OF
his efforts. The rich strikes that are
from week to week being made, leave
little doubt in the minds of those who
are keeping abreast OF the Information
passing from man to man that the Red
River camp is one Of rapidly approach
ing richness. Ration is the supply point
of the camp and is already reaping the
reward of the rush.
The Educational Advantages.
'The social, religious and education
al advantages of Ration are not less
than those of town of like size IN
the east, and 1 am of the opinion that
as much can be said of these condl-
tions of most of the towns and cities
of the Territory. have taught in the
normals, colleges, and public schools
of seven different states and my OBJ
servation has been that the efhciency
of teachers increases as the star of ed
ucation pursues its westward course.
have been struck with the humor OF
the way the eastern press comments
upon the revelation of various exhib-
its, especially the educational exhibit
at the St Louis Fair. In some cases
the surprise seems to have reached the
degree Of a sweetened shock. Such q
thing, as evidences Of q graded school
system prevailing in New Mexico, was
entirely beyond what they were pre-
pared TO behold. why should we or
any other country more than one year
old In its institutions not have graded
schools?
edueatlonI institutions Good.
"I regard it as a reflection upon the
scope Of the school knowledge OF any
one who would exrfess such great sur.
prise The town and city schools OF
the Territory, so far as have become
acquainted with them, are good and
we'll graded, and the easterner who
gets happy shock at St Louis should
come out west and see US as we are,
and get his shocked place fairly in.
fiated."