Las Vegas optic. (East Las Vegas, N.M.) 1908-1921, 1909-11-09
NORMAL FOLLOWS SUIT.
PREPARATORY BRANCH OF UNI
VERSlTY ALSO SHUTS
DOWN.
COLLEGES REMAIN OPEN
SECTARIAN INSTITUTIONS ON
WEST SIDE. IGNORE
AUTHORITIES.

In order to cooperate with the
health authorities in every way pos
sible in the steps taken by the lat
ter to stamp out the contagion of
scarlet fever now existing in both
East and West Las Vegas, and to pre-
vent if possible an epidemic of this
disease in the two towns, the public
schools on this and the other side
of the Gallinas were closed today. In
addition to the public schools, the
training school and sub-normal de-
partments of the Normal university,
embracing the largest enrolment of
this territorial institution. number
ing about 225 pupils. and including
the grades from the kindergarten to
the Normal proper. wers also closed
and the pupils dismissed. The only |
institutions of learning now. remain /
ing open are the Brothers college and T.
the Loretto academy, sectarian insti-
tutions, located in West Las Vegas. |
Despite an order issued by DR.. M. F.
of Las Vegas, instructing that these
institutions close for the time being,
both remained open today. 1t is said
that those in charge question the au-
thority of the health officer to force
them to close.
The closing of the public schools
followed a special meeting of the
board of education in East Las Vegas
last night. The meeting was pre-
sided over by President w. G. Hay
don. The board was not long in de-
Gliding that the closing of the schools
at this time was demanded as pre-
cautionary measure, and in order to
properly safeguard the health and
lives of hundreds of school children.
The action was taken in the form of
a resolution, offered by John A. Ross,
a member of the board, which was
presented and adopted without oppo-
sition. This resolution, which is self
explanatory, reads:
School Board Resolution.
Resolved, That the public schools
of the city of Las Vegas be closed
until the present disease of scarlet
fever is thoroughly eradicated.
"That the other schools of the city
and town of Las Vegas be requested
to close, also, and cooperate with
this board in stamping out the dis
ease.
THAT the city council of the city
of Las Vegas be requested to estab-
lish strict quarantine, requiring all
children to remain at home during
the time the schools are closed.
"That all places of amusement and
public gatherings, including places of
worship, be discontinued during the
said time, and that the proper author
tiles and ministers be requested to
cooperate herein, and that the city
council take such steps as may be
necessary to enforce this resolution.
"That committee of three of this
board be named to act with like COM
mittees from other organizations to
assist in enforcing the provisions of
said resolution"
Prompt Action Taken.
Today saw prompt action taken by
the public school authorities, and by
President B. s. Gowen, of the Normal
university, to obey the provisions of
the foregoing resolution. The pupils,
upon arriving at school. were in-F
formed. by their teachers 3 that
oschool would be closed for the time
being, the reason for the closing was
explained to them, and they were dis
missed with instructions to return to
their homes.
In no instance was pupil allowed
to take his or her books home with
them. These were left in the desks
and will undergo thorough cleansing