Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1915-03-01
Ely GIVES HIS
VIEWS ON NEEDS
AS TO EDUCATION
Republican Chairman Reviews
Work of Present Legislature
in Regard to Schools in In
tereSting Talk,

-eprriAL coRRrsposoescG TO MORNING JOURNAL
santa Fc, Feb. 2S.-Chairman
Ralph G. Ely Of the republican state
central committee, reviewing the edu-
,ltional needs Of the state and the
work of the legislature in that con-
uccuon, says:
THE opposition papers have been
throwing all kinds of fits about con-
st,uctive legislation and the alleged
failure of the legislature up to this
time to show any considerable tangi-
bic results. That need not cause any
body any anxiety because legislatures
and congresses year after year, as
semble as deliberative bodies, pure
and simple and the laws which are
finally enacted are the results of con-
ferences and compromises. 1t is the
great feature of our institutions that
our laws do represent the composite
views of many men rather than the
mtocratic edict of some one man no
matter how capable he may be.
Seven Months Term.
There is one matter to which
ann glad to call attention through the
columns of the Morning Journal, and
that is the passage OF a law making
the minimum school year seven
months instead Of five months, add
ing 40 per cent TO the opportunity of
the least fortunate Of our children,
for training for life And in this
connection, let me say that the ef-
Hricucy of our schools ana their orig
NAL creation are directly credited To-
the work Of the republican party in
this state. 1t would have been ut
terlv impossible in The earlier days
10 have made this seven months
minimum school year, and our pres
emit attainments are results Of
growth along conservative, construc-
tive lines.
"Not only are our common schools
republican Institutions but our insti-
mtions of higher learning, which are
distinct credit to the state, are re-
publican institutions. Just at this
time there is great deal OF 'smudge
enveloping the agricultural college
but in spite of it, those who best
know that institution and its work,
realize its tremendous value to the
state, and the great benefit it has
been i'm the past And our schools
and colleges are doing a wonderful
work and this legislature has scored
high in their advancement already
Agricultural College.
"Now what remains TO be done by
this legislature? / win not talk about
the university, for YOU people of Al
buquerque already know and appre-
ciate that institution; but 1 want to
say something about the agricultural
college. The last few years have
noted an increased development in
farming throughout the state, in the
dry farming district Of the north
eastern portion, and the irrigated
valleys throughout the state, an in
crease of wealth and Of comfort that
is really surprising, is noted by all
who observe.
The agricultural college is located
in the southern part Of the state and
the state is big 1t has pursued the
same method Of instruction and ex-
pertinent that has been pursued In
the older institutions of the Older
states. 1t has issued its bulletins Just
as the others have done and it has
found the same difficulties in bring
ing the results of its work home to
the people, that have confronted ev-
cry agricultural college in our coun-
try For twenty-five years men have
tried to popularize technical training
in farming and stockraising. States
have established model farms and
have failed; have established expert
ment stations and have been out of
touch with the people have lured
the boys into these technical schools
trained them in agriculture animal
husbandry or in horticulture, ana
have sent them out TO be teachers,
preachers, lawyers. but rarely farm
ers or stockmen. Within the last few
years through the activity of the
federal government they have hit
upon the device of sending out farm
demonstrators. 1t is nothing in the
world but agricultural college eX-
tension work carrying the school to
the srOwn-up man, rather than the
man to the school. These demonstra-
tors are not know-it-alls, hooky
fellows, who can't square theory to
practice by the rules of good, common
sense but they are Z AIMED farmers
who know the results obtained by the
best farmers in real practice in the
various parts of the country.
They are not cold and lifeless like
q bulletin or book, but are active
enthusiastic men, who go onto fell
lows farm and show him how to
make a good crop of potatoes, where
heretofore he has raised vines; show
him the result flowing from the
proper selection of seed or the scien-
tific rotation of crops help him in
the selection and breeding of life
stock; and put him in touch with the
markets so that when he has pro-
dnced something on his land, he car
sell it and get the money for it.
Striking Contrasts.
4 wish the people could ride OF
drive with me over this state. ! have
seen thousands and thousands anc
thousands of acres of land in cult
walton, after fashion, but pr0duc.
ing little or nothing. For instance
last fan during the campaign, | visit
cd two corn fields which were side
by side; one man had used poor
seed and was a poor farmer the
other had used good seed and Wai
more thrifty farmer. | guessed ont
crop would yield from twenty to thir'
" bushels of nubbins TO the acre anC
the other sixty bushels of good ears
In lnn n IL. a 4