Albuquerque morning journal., 1910-12-31
CONWAY POINTS OUT
BENEFITS TO Be
GAINED
County Superintendent Of
Schools Indicates Many tx
ceIIent Provisions for Schools
Contained in Constitution
Especial dispatch to III, Morning JournslI

Especial Dispatch to the Nornng JournalI
Santa Fe. N. NJ, Dec. S0.--County
school superintendent John V. Con-
way. in an official circular recently
distributed. calls attention to the vast
benefits that statehood and the con-
situation win confer on the
schools of New Mexico and the great
impetus they will give to education.
New Mexico's plaint has been that
Uncle Sam has not done as much for
its schools as he Is doing In Porto
Rico and the Philippines or for the
Indians. But Uncle Sam is about to
redeem himself and when New Mexico
comes in as a state IL Will have twelve
million acres OF land for education
al purposes. land valued by the En-
abling Act from $3 TO SO per acre,
and by the constitution at not less
than $40 per acre. The state of North
Dakota has accumulated a fund of
500, 900, 600 for its public schools
from its lands and New Mexico VIII
have fully as much. AT present. not
quite quarters OF q million dol
lars are spent for education in New
Mexico each year. but with lands
worth 100000, 600, New Mexico Will
have available without a cent of tax
alton four 10 five times as much as
II now can afford for its schools. Truly
the man who votes against the con-
stltution on January 81, is an avowed
enemy OF education.
The circular, which will be sent 10
every one Interested in the prosperity
of educational institutions, is rs fol-
lows:
Gentlemen: AS ! know that YOU are
friends of education, and working for
the betterment Of our public schools,
feel it incumbent upon me to call
your attention to subject IN which
we are all interested.
The constitution recently framed
contains some excellent provisions in
favor of our rural public school dis
tricts, and is deserving of the hearty
support OF every educator and friend
of education in the territory. unfor-
tunately, IN the past. our rural public
schools have suffered from the in
sufficiency of funds to run the schools
a profitable length of time, and we
are practically in the same condition
today. Something must be done TO
relieve this condition, as II cannot be
done by increased taxation. Under
statehood we are assured and guaran-
teed at least a five months term Of
school in each school district OF the
new state. The money for this Is to
be deri~cd from special fund Great
ed by setting aside certain school
lands. the proceeds OF which shan go
towards the defraying OF any deficit |
that may exist In any school district !
fund.
We are also assured qualified teach
ers with adequate salaries, which will |
go far toward improving the present |
situation. In the past the rural school |
districts have suffered from the lack |
II funds with which TO carry on the |
schools. and try as they may our leg |
slators are unable to improve tho
Now. the wcy toward our
relief seems TO have been onened and !
4 most excellent opportunity TO i'm
prove our educational facilities has
oeen offered, through our acceptance
" the boon of statehood, for aside
rom the many benefits that will ac-
rue therefrom, the national govern
nent donates nearly nine millions of
lcres of public land for educational
purposes, which will greatly con-
ribute towards the advancement of
he cause.
The acceptance Of statehood, at this
ime, means better schools, longer
erms. qualified teachers. decent SAL
ries, better system, and In fact free
iom of public schools from political
Influences. This alone ought to stir
he hearts of the friends of education,
nd awaken in them a desire to see
o II that the present constitution is
ccepted. We must carry the consti-
ution. and It cannot be done through
IL needs your aid, and
he assistance of every educator In the L
errtory.
Never were we confronted with a
lore vital issue. than statehood Is to- [
ay, for the educational provisions T
re such, as TO tend TO place MS on an 6
quail footing with the most progress I
I've states OF the union, Statehood !
/ this time. also means. the aban- I
onment OF the antiquated system, {
abits under which we have unwill- J
Ugly existed. and the establishment /
up-to- date methods IN the man {
cement OF school affairs.
From an educational standpoint,
lie present constitution is commend
DE. and we should put our shoul-
RS to the wheel and help carry 1t
Z an overwhelming majority Not ,
outstanding the fact that the present
is an educational life
Yer, there are some selfish inter-
is plotting its defeat. and It be-
,oves us to endeavor to save the day n
r the poor school children Of our y
ture state. n
Hoping that you will use your ut
ost efforts in behalf Of the consti-
tion, and that our fight for edu-
tion viii be successful
/ have the honor to remain, n
Very sincerely yours.
JOHN V. CONWAY, n
rnfntxr C.hnaf II