El Nuevo mexicano., 1917-10-25
Wagner Describes Model
Republic Idea and
Its Execution
ELF-GOVERNMENT
THE PRINCIPLE

49," So
schools in ia Paso county, Texas,
which he just visited, is the statement
Of Prof. J. Fl. Wagner, school superin-
tendent of New Mexico, who has just
returned from a tri-state conference
in Ell Paso. In view OF the issue
raised in the New York mayoralty
contest over the Gary system, where
hundreds of school children have been
parading with banners denouncing it,
Prof. Whgner's observations are OF
particular interest.
I'VE had an opportunity to visit one
of the Garyized schools on Friday OF
last week." said Prof. Wagner.
"Here we saw a model republic
operated by the student body. AS we
approached the building we were met
at the front door by the principal OF
the school who introduced to us its
mayor We we're conducted to what
they were pleased to call the council
chamber and there we met the city
clerk Of this miniature democracy
and what you would call the com
mon council representatives of the
different departments of the school
body. The visitors were seated on a
platform and were introduced by the
mayor to the boys and girls there
assembled after which the proceed
ings Of the council were carried out.
These consisted of reports of the ply
| steal condition of the school grounds
and buildings, recommendations as 10
Improvement in the conduct of lines
in march and conduct in school room
and assembly. A report was made by
the city treasurer Of the body show
ing they had in the bank to the credit
Of the institution $1.05.
"In this school the principle Of self
government is practiced and from
what the visitors were able to see and
hear it is a great success in this
school. Opportunities are given for
the young students to initiate and
carry out projects and to govern
themselves in the school as a well-or-
ganized little democracy.
1.-THE rest of the day was given
oven to visiting the ward schools OF
Ell Paso and at a p. m. the general
teachers meeting of Fl Paso was held
in the auditorium of the Christian
church where 1928 Ell Paso teachers
assembled"
Credit and Study Problems
Discussing the opening of the tri-
state conference Mr.. Wagner said:
"This meeting was called by Miss
Myra M. Winkler county school SUI
p~erintendent Of Ell Paso county at Ell
Paso. The conference was of the
state school superintendent of Texas,
Arizona and New Mexico, Prof. M. H.
Doughty, representing Texas and G.
o. Case. Arizona. The meeting was
called to consider problems common to
the schools in these three states and
also to talk over certification of teach
ers and the matter of extending cred
its for work done in the recognized
educational institutions of these three
states. Also, the questions of the uni.
form course of study for high schools
and the upper grades We're consid'
cred.
"The conference opened on Thurs.
day Of last week when Mr.. Doughty
and Miss Winkler and the county
board of education Of FL Paso county
and Superintendent r. J. Tighe, OF ri
Paso's city schools, met DR.. X. e. Nc
Bride, the county school superintend
ent of Dona Ana county, and me at
the Texas-New Mexico line. The fore
noon was spent visiting schools in
Dona Ana county; the afternoon was
spent in Ell Paso county, visiting
schools above and below that city as
far as Isleta. There dinner was serv
ed complimentary to the party by
the county board of education.
Returning to El Paso in the after
noon a number of schools were in
spected outside the corporate limits
of Ell Paso but near the border line
In the evening there was a banquet
Of seven courses and covers we're lait
for 100, representatives of the city
and schools and the principals and
school directors of Ell Paso county
1t was a delightful affair.
Many Pupils From New Mexico
"On Friday the visitors were take-
in charge by the city board of educa
ton and Prof. Tighe. The first
school visited was the magnificent
half million dollar high school of E
Paso where an assembly was held a.
9:45 a. M. with 1900 pupils in the au
ditorium. Among these pupils l was
surprised to find a large number en-
rolled who come from New Mexico
MIR. Wagner says that the school
buildings in Dona Ana county compare
favorably with those of Eel Paso coun
ty but he found that I'll Paso county
has, not only one of the finest sys
TENS of rural, consolidated schools II
the country but they are also equip
ped with fine fixtures and admirably
arranged for the purpose for whicf
they were intended. He also fount
they had employed an excellent corps
/ n --xvlx- a.. 49, ~~Ak