The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1922-07-02

In the early territorial days law
were only nominal outside oil tho
larger places, and even there. 10
obtain justice Tor Foreigners was
y very questionable. ON account 81
the prejudice Of the older people.
many Of whom adhered to the
claim that the Mexican general.
santa Ana, had sold their country
no the Americanos
The richer classes Of the native
Population Of his country did not
hthke any pride. non aimed TO assist
In The proper education OF tho
poorer classes. and particularly
those IN tho rural districts.
~ The people Of Sew Mexico a. "A
general rule bad absolutely ne
chance Tor education % their chit
ddren. because the teachers In most
ot the schools were appointed
through the Influences OF relative.
friends. or political consideration.
and not by merit In many I'M
n there was no question asked
whether thcy were lifted FOR the
position or not. and ] know per.
q ronnlly Of several instances when
the teacher could hardly write hl.
own name. There were no cN-
hminattons, no control. scarcely
q supervision from proper uu-
thorities appointed by the terri
torinl legislature.
II seemed TO me an the richer
claHsss wanted was 10 keep tn,
poorer poor, dependent upon thcli
mnHnauimity and have them al thtii
beck ana can. 10 keep them WORK
Ing Tor s. or si0 per month. "a
they had been from Times i'm,
memorial
The few learned men. natives of
this country. who had the priylleg,
aud good fortune OF an education
wefe educated In M sslsl. or ia th,
schoOl OF the Christian brothers al
Santa Fe. az the Jesuit school OF
Albuquerque Many of them have
turncd out brilliant men. practising
law Or prominent Ia other voyu.
tiunH OF iife
- can vorils state. hat often
had occasion. To pity young iu.
telligeut fellows who never saw j
periodical nor book, 10 enlargs
their bright minds In matters ul
Interest. and b. "a help and guld'
or counsel to their less gifted
neighhors.
So 70 ~ only fair to do Justice iC
the fathsrs or grandparents ~ :hs
present generation, to say that self
ish motives of the richer class.s oI
the native populations were III,
aus hen that "a liberal chance Tot
universal education In New Mexico
was only enforced since II bccains
stats
About 40 a. &c years ago a mum.
her OF missionary schools We're -.
tAlitsh~d on the western frontier
and these schools have nrsI
nmelionted somewhat the condl.
lions. and substituted FOR school
which the territorial Legislature
ought hny established ~ speak
only OF western New MeNlco) No.
alone in reference to schools. bul
also In other matters. was "a grctI
Indifference shown by the =o-callu1
"ricpF'
Tho existing laws seemed alto.
Feiher only dead letters as 1 sai,
before. Il seemed people tried &,
DO AL they wanted within the law
or get around n law tAnd now %
Iawtessness wus tolerated. ans
thereby encouraged In smaller
towns everybody had TO protec'
himself. and one could find AZ
ufmory displayed In any home.
viii not criticize the admins.
tration 81 the courts. but II vas G
hard matter to get "A body Of mcI
who were not Influenced by Ictun
Intimidation by the lHwleSs gang,
which had It's ramifcation through
the whole river district. and Yves
To- the frontier towns. II was
most difficult matter TO get ON IN
dtbtment against anybody who hu,
"a wealthy patron. because nearly
everybody was In debt 10 some o.
the werlthy who must either ius'
what was owing them. or hell
Them out Of their scrape
There was In 1873 and up q
1875 "a particularly well Organize,
gang" OF an the bad elements b.
all the communities along GA, ltli
Grande valley Murders were con-
-mitted u many travellers diaip
1safed misteriously. NObod3
SaoIaed to care. as Ions
an he was not directly con
dcerned. People who mentlune,
hume OF the feioniuus acts. did Is,
tf9Jisase don't mention me was AT
WAYS the request.
In this section Of country tn
town OF Algodones seemed TO b'
the headquarters of an the ruffiun-
thieves and lnwless elements. d
IL now a most orderly model iittl'
Town. Stealing Of cattle an,
hofses was the order Of the day