New Mexico state record. (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1914-19??, 1917-02-23
ON EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS


Every time the legislature Of this STATE
holds a session a great deal IS SAID and written
about abolishing several Of orr educational
institutions. This proposal originates with q
few selfish and Jealous individuals who arc
residents Of communities in which no iustjtu-
tons happen to be located and is usually help
ed along by 4 few members Of the Legislature
who think they mn-t poe a. being in favor
of every scheme which is brought ont under
A veil labeled Economy but many of which
are in reality detrimental proposals.
The Record believes that too many state
institutions Of one kind and another were
created from ten to twenty years ago, but we
do not believe that we have a single one to
spare now. or that we have any which arc not
performing a service Of far greater value to
the state and taxpayers than the money which
is being put into them.
The creation of 50 many of these institu-
ions in the first instance is not a matter for
which any criticism is due any one in this
state. When the first grant Of land 10 New
MeNico Was made by congress Mr.. II, B. Fer
srsou, then delegate; was using his best efforts
to secure the largest possible amount. In this
he was supported by the people OF New Mex
leo, regardless Of party. 1t developed that
more land could be secured from congress
by taking it in one hundred thousand acre
assignments for various institutions. Mr.. Fer
grsOn and the committee of New MeXicanS
who were then in Washington, naturally went
the limit. They secured an assignment for
every institution then in existence which was,
if we remeber correctly, six, and then they
added eight more for which the grants of land
would become available only when the legis-
lature created them and provided suitable
buildings.
Thu legislature did not act hastily; it was
six or eight years after the passage of the
act granting the land before all the institutions
were created, They we're located in various
parts OF the state in order that the benefit
might be as general as possible. The build
ings in each instance have been as c~ommodious
as it seemed possible to make them at the
time with the funds available. They have
served fairly well the purposes for which they
were constructed. Valuable sites, most of them
now well improved, have become the proper
ty Of the state, at large expense.
Whether it was wise, or unwise, to have
created these institutions is certainly not a
question that should have any bearing at this
late date. We have them, they are mostly paid
for and free of debt, we have use for every
one of them and they are just now begin
ming to be more useful and to better serve the
purpose for which they were provided.
The greater part Of the burden was dis
posed of at a time when our population and
resources were only one-half or one-third of
what they are now. After building up and
bringing to successful ODeratIOn these SDlendid
assets Of the state ii is not justifiable from any
reasonable point of view to destroy them or
curtail their usefulness by adopting a parsi-
1nonious policy of retrenchnent.
The lands set aside for them are lust
beginning to return large amounts annually
toward their maintenance, large trust funds
are accommodating, and the state is increasingly
prosperous and able to support them.
The Normal school at Fl Rito has been the
subject Of more attacks than any other. This
was the last state school to be established: had
the misfortune to lose the main building by
fire; has been rebuilt only recently and is now
educating some I25 young people who would
probably not 'be receiving any education what
ever if it was not for this school,. Most of
them are preparing themselves for teaching
and there is every reason to believe that the
attendance will increase more rapidly than &C
can be provided. That it is not
located on a railroad is no reason for its eli1ni-
nation SO long as the attendants do not object
to it on that account and are willing and
to avail themselves of its advantages.
1t there is anything that this state should
promote it is the education of the Spanish