Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1907-03-16
of officials. The bill was read the first
and second time by title and referred


amended by Mr.. Dalies for ten min.
ute's recess, which motion prevailed
and the Council went into recess.
It was ten minutes to o'clock when |
the Council was again convened by
President Spiess.
The Committee on Judiciary, Mr..
Dalies, chairman, reported favorably
House Bill Number 17S, an act to
abolish the Office of public printer and
for other purposes. The bill bore
number of amendments which were
read and adopted following the adop-
tion of the report of the committee.
Mr. Dalies then moved the passage Of
the bill after 1t had been read the
third time in full as amended and the
bill passed the Council by vote Of s
ayes, 4 nays, those dissenting being |
Mr.. Duncan, Sulzer, Sargent and
Miera.
Mr.. Stockton asked that the rules
be suspended for the purpose of TAX
ing up House Bill Number 226, an act
empowering the county commission
ers of Colfax County to give to the
Sisters of Loretto the old court house
property at Springer. This motion
prevailed The bill was read in full
and passed by unanimous vote.
Mr.. Dalies moved to adjourn until
Saturday afternoon at $3.50 o'clock.
The motion was lost.
Mr. Sulzer moved to suspend the
rules and take up House Substitute
for House Bill Number 81, an act rela-
tive to classification Of counties etc.
This motion prevailed. The bill was
read the third time in full and passed
the Council by vote of II ayes.
Mr.. Miera moved to adjourn until |
Monday at 10 a. m. This motion pre-.
vailed by vote Of ayes, nays
Messrs. Dalies, Martinez, Richards
and Spiess voting nay.
THE HOUSE.
38th Day-Afternoo Session.
March IS.
Immediately upon convening at 2 p.
m. the House resolved itself into a
committee of the whole. Mr.. Beach
in the chair and resumed considera-
ton of House Substitute for House
Bill Number 107, known as the Gen
eral Educational Bill. The bill was
taken up section by section and con-
sidered. The bill as previously stated
consists of revision of the present
school laws. It's principal feature is
the election of county school superln-
tpndents with qualifications along ed
ucational lines. This is embodied in
Section Number IS, which provides
that to be eligible to such an Office,
tie candidate to be elected, must first
hold teachers certificate not less
than first grade county certificate;
must have resided in New Mexico five
years and have taught school in that
time.
The first discussion arose, however,
when Mr.. Biernbaum wanted to amend
Section 10 so that the superintendent
Of public instruction should be elect
ell at the general election for term
of two years. Mr.. Abbott of Santa
Fe, who took a strong stand on edu-
cational advancement said such pro- |
vision would defeat the very objects
of the bills purpose by making poll
tical Jackpot of our whole education
al system. Mr.. Holt settled the mat
ter quickly by adding that unfortunate.
ly New Mexico was still territory and
the superintendent of public instruc-
ton could only be appointed by the
Governor. Mr. Biernbaum made a
plea for his amendment on the
grounds of "home rule"
Mr. Hudspeth and Mr.. Ruppe also
spoke opposing such an amendment.
When Section IS was reached Mr..
Biernbaum wanted to amend 1t so that
personal business and moral integrity
would be the chief requirements Of
county school superintendent and
that first grade certificate would not
be necessary He said there were
many good men who we're amply quail
fled to fill such a position and who
were desired by the voters who would
/ be barred. He also feared that this Sec
tion would legislate out of office many
of the present county superintendents.
Mr. Abbott of Santa Fe, replied that
the present superintendent would
not be legislated out of Office under
the provisions of the bill but he stood
firm on the grounds that educational
qualifications were needed to- make
the office effective.
do you gentlemen know he add
ed "that New Mexico is at the bot
tom of all the states in the country
on the point of illiteracy. It's fact
and the shame is ours"
Mr.. Holt made an eloquent speech
| for educational qualifications on the,
part of county superintendent. He
spoke feelingly on the necessity Of ed.
ucating the next generation of chill
dren as well as the present one. This
speech did much to quiet opposition
to Section IS. Other members Of the
House spoke in favor of this section.
Mr.. Hudspeth in particular said that
500 year was enough pay for any
school superintendent for simply
keeping his accounts and signing war
rants. ''They must have educational
qualifications" he saiL, "or their work
II is in vain" This section was then
adopted. The balance of the bill was
adopted without opposition, only a
few minor and satisfactory changes
being made in Its text.
The Committee Of the Whole at
$50 O'Clock arose and Speaker Baca