Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1906-02-17
THIS CITY MAY
SECURE SCHOOL
Mary James lnsti-
tute for Boys
Still
isuT;iA;;T A0sTiGii
Mayor Gibson While in New
York Explained Situation
to the Board.

Il believe that Santa Fe will yet
secure the Mary James School for boys
If the citizens show but a small
amount of public spirit,
This statement was made today by
Mayor A. r Gibson, who returned last
night from months visit in New
York City. where he attended meet
| ing of the Presbyterian Board OF
Home Missions at which Mrs. Mary
James, after whom the school Is to
be named, was also present Attorney
R. H, Hanna was In attendance at the
board meeting and assisted Mayor Glib
son in strong plea In favor of locat-
Ing the school at Santa Fe. In speak
ing of the meeting which was held
about two weeks ago, Mr., Gibson
| said:
Albuquerque has not been selected
as the place for this school by any
means and do not believe that 1t will
be. Mr.. Hanna and myself made a
comparison of the two cities which
could not but reflect credit upon the
Capital City. We told the board mem
bers of the pure water of this city as
compared to the alkali-tainted water of
Albuquerque; we also informed them
of the fact that dust storms and mos
quitoes contributed to the vicissitudes
of life In Albuquerque, whereas, such
things were unheard of In our city
Moral Difference.
A strong argument in Santa Fe's favor
was our statement that whereas, AL.
buquerQue has thirty or forty saloons
and many dens Of vice, in the very
heart Of the city and tacitly permitted
by the city government, there are but
seven saloons In this city and that
Santa Fe was the first place In New
Mexico to close saloons on Sunday
and is discountenancing dens Of vice
instead of gathering revenue from
them. One thing which was noted by
the board with interest was our state.
ment that as Santa Fe was not on
main railroad line, the city was not
filled to overflow every season with
| the worthless hobo population which
always follows railroad. Among
other things we did not neglect to men
ton the fine winter climate of this
city which has no peer as Is generally
conceded. We also told the board
members of the water main which the
Santa Fe Water and Light Company
has agreed to donate and which In It.
self will cost something like $500.
"We stated in addition, that we knew
of at least ten towns in Michigan, Ohio.
and Washington, and other states
where donations for the purpose Of es-
tablishing this school had been made
with the distinct understanding that
the institution would be. located at
Santa Fe We had letters from the
subscribers to prove our statement
Professor Willis Baer, formerly OF
Cleveland but now of New York City.
who is interested in the home mis-
slonary work, aided us greatly
Mrs. James Talked.
| Upon the conclusion of our talks
before the Board, Mrs. Mary James
said: What you gentlemen have said
has impressed lis more than all that
has been spoken or written upon this
matter since 1t was first agttated. If
conditions are as you assert, think
1t very probable that our school will
be located In your city The loca-
ton of this school has not been def
initely decided, and we can assure you
that 1t will not be until all has been
thoroughly investigated
1--WE then told them" said Mayor
fGibson, "that our idea In securing
this school was not based upon a
l'mere matter Of the added money 1t
would bring to our city, but that We
were desirous Of obtaining the strong
moral influence such an institution
would carry with 1t. This pleased the
Board members greatly.
There is strip Of land known as
the Ellis property between the pro
posed site Of the school north Of the
Federal building and the Fort Marcy
addition. told the Board members
that as present conditions existed, the
city was unable to buy this property
for the school. I proposed, however.
that the Board purchase this prop
erty, secure the title and let the city
lpay for 1t at the rate Of 500 or 50
tyear. This plan seemed to meet with
favor.
/ "Now, It is simply UP to the citizens
here. whether or not Santa Fe shall
secure this institution. II those who
are to be most benefited by It would
1 come to the fore, there would be no
4 trouble at ali in having It located IN
Santa Fe."