Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1919-02-23
WOULD BE CRIME.
To BEAT SCHOOL
PLAN Advocated
BY THE GOVERNOR
LarrazoIo Says the Defeat of
His Program Would Be
Very Detrimental to Chill
dren of Sunshine State.
MANY MISUNDERSTAND
HIS SCHEME, He SAYS
Has Nothing but Welfare Of
Pupils al Heart; Study OF
Spanish Valuable Accom-
pIiShnent to People,

CORRESPONDENCE
Santa Fe, Feb. 22.-To defeat his
educational program in the legisla-
ture would be a crime against the
children of New Mexico. Governor
I.arrazoIo made that statement to
newspaper men today.
The governor declared that his pro
gram has been misunderstood and
probably distorted by those not in
favor of it, He reiterated that all he
wishes is the welfare OF the children
of the state and that the Spanish
American children be given an op-
portunity to learn the English lam
guage.
The governor probably recalled
charges that an attempt is being made
to force the Spanish language on
American children when he declared
that his plan is meant to have just
the opposite effect. He wants the
English language taught where it is
not now spoken first, but he wants it
taught in manner in which 1t will
be effective He wants Spanish
speaking teachers for Spanish-speak-
ing schools because he claims no child
can be taught the English language
by persons who can not speak the IAN
guage which IS understood by the
pupil. He cited his own case
Governors Own Case Cited,
at 16 years of age | could !ead
the English language, but I could not
speak It and could not understand 1t,
said the governor. Few people know
that it is possible to read a language
and not understand a word, but such
is the fact. Children are being taught
to read English today and do not
hnt n a
He declared that he favors the study
of Spanish in the schools of the state
because it will be valuable accom-
plshment to the people, He pointed
out that all of the countries south of
the United States are Spanish speak
ing countries and if the American
people are to take their place in the
trade of those countries Spanish
speaking men must be available. How
ever. he declared that he IS not try
ing to force Spanish upon the pupils.
4 What he is trying to do is to force
each high school and state institution
to place it in its curriculum and make
it optional on the part of the pupil.
However, if they are going to
teach spanish, ! want it taught right, y
said the governor. 81 have provided
an outline Of a course of study and
want Spanish teachers given diplo-
mas as such and none employed who
are not qualified to teach the IAN
guage.
"At present the teaching of Span
is pure and simple graft in this state.
| know of my personal knowledge that
teachers are employed to teach the
language who cannot speak 1t. This
Is a disgrace and should be stopped.
Teach English in Mexico
The governor cited the fact that
the teaching of English is now COM
paisory in Mexican schools.
THE people of Mexico once sent
their sons to France to be educated,
he said. and the French language was
the popular accomplishment. Now
they send them to the United States
and it is hard to find well educated
man or women in Mexico who cannot
speak the English language. They
consider it necessary in order to trans
act business with the United States.
There can be no doubt about the
value of q knowledge of the spanish
language to a resident of New Mexico.
one has only to be acquainted with
the state and its people to see that.
There is just this to it. If my children
speak both Englsh and Spanish and
YOURS speak only one tongue, mine are
going to have the advantage of yours
when they go out in the world togeth-
er. 1t seems to me that would be plain
to anv mind, but there are some peo-
pie so prejhdiced that they cannot see
beyond their noses.'