Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1907-11-09
Superintendent of Public In
StruCtion Returns From Tour
Of Southern Counties With
GIowingAccountSof Progress
WAVE OF SCHOOL BUILDING
SPREADS OVER TERRITORY
Mr., Clark Finds Competent
IeacherS in Country Dis.
tricts and Ample School
Funds,

Hon, j. T.. Clark, superintendent II
public instruction. arrived in Albu-
querque yesterday morning from a
tour Of southern and southwestern
New Mexico. where he has beer MAX
ing a trip from district 10 district in
each county. meeting teachers, pa
rents and pupils ana generally over
looking the methods and character OF
work being done. This trip which in
cluded DOna Ana, Grant, Luna and
sierra counties. Is the first Of several
such trips which the superintendent
viii make and which will cover the
entire territory.
Mr.. Clark returns from this trip
greatly gratified with the progress be-
ing made In education and educational
methods IN the southern counties and
his findings are bound 10 bring great
encouragement TO every one who has
the interests of the territory at heart,
for the superintendent has found that
even In the remote country districts
excellent teachers are employed: tina
the teachers are earnest and capable,
that there are generally ample school
FUNDS n that "a wave Of school build
Ing Is spreading over the territory,
aided. where funds are insufficient. by
contributions from public spirited citi-
zens.
1T needs a trip like this one to
teach us just what progress Is being
made In this territory in education, "
said Mr.. Clark 10 the Morning Jour
nal yesterday. Il have covered a ma
jority Of The districts In Dona Ana,
Luna n Sierra counties and ] find
everywhere that up-to-date methods
are being applied, competent teachers
employed and the work generally be-
ing conducted on the most approved
and efficient methods.
Il MAS told in many districts that
this was the first visit they had ever
had from the territorial superintend-
ent and the reception / received was
not only personally gratifying. but
was a most encouraging indication of
the value The people are now placing
on educational advantages and modern
methods. Everywhere | found teach
ors, school officials and citizens not
only willing. but eager. 10 cooperate
in every movement for the betterment
of the schools, and / can say without
reserve that | have never found a.
more satisfactory working condition
than IN these counties.
In Lake Valley. Sierra county. |
found D. Of the most capable teach
ers II has been my pleasure 10 meet
Tor "a long time. conducting u large
school with thorough efficiency. Lake.
Valley Is q fair example Of the spirit
everywhere manifested. Lake Valley
had no suitable school building. but
one Of her citizens gave a building 10
the school board at a nominal put
OF $40 "a month, this rental 10 apply 90
the purchase price OF the property
In other words. when the rent reaches
the value II the property IL viii be
transferred to the school board. In
another district OF Sierra county /
found three teachers at work with
large classes in three barns. This dis
trict could use six teachers. the
three now there are working for very
small salaries. but they are working
lust as faithfully as IL the salaries
were as large as those paid In Albu-
qucrduc. n is the missionary spirit
ana II d. a most encouraging one. II
In H%illsburo "a large mass meeting
held In the court house and IL
seemed That every one had a question
fo ask. every one taking the deepest
iu the welfare of the schools.
H. not Ga district In sierra couu-
ty but has "a balance ia It's school fund
more than sufficient 70 carry IL
through the year. and the Eugle dis
trict has enough money 90 pay its -
ueuses for some time 60 come after
the present year. Practically the same
conditions prevail iu the other coun-
ties and the whole situation Is as ia
VurHhle for progress ass we could ask
THE interest in the school system
shown everywhere throughout Ncw
Mexico h. most encouraging n
eastern New Mexico. where immigra-
ton b most rapid our office Is re-
ceiying masses OF Inquiries and the
disposition Is 60 improve the school
system az every opportunity. I DO not
believe there exists anywhere Ia any
or territory "a more genuine in
tercsi among an CLASSES of people in
the welfare and progress 81 the pub
DE schools than iu New Mexico
MIR. Clark left last night FOR santa
Fc.