CHAPTER XXIII
Struggle for Statehood
[This chapter is condensed from the book entitled The Struggle for Statehood, by the author.]
BEGINNING OP THE STRUGGLE

In no part of the United States has there ever been such a protracted struggle for self-government as in New Mexico. In no other case has statehood been so long withheld. Perhaps nowhere in history is there such a series of failures, in what at the time seemed almost certainty, through unlooked for and often insignificant causes.
Statehood was almost attained in 1850; it was lost by a handshake in 1875, by a sudden impetuous word in 1889, by a shiver of malaria and a miscalculation of time in 1894.

The struggle for statehood began almost as soon as the American occupation. In the speeches and proclamations of Governor Kearny language was used which aroused hope, if it did not give promise, of self-government. In the first address in front of the palace, on August 19, 1846, he announced the intention to "establish a civil government on a republican basis similar to those of our own States.''

The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was finally signed early in 1848, and proclaimed at Washington on July 4th, and some action regarding the newly acquired territory was anxiously awaited. The advice of the president was that the people should '' live peaceably and quietly under the existing government for a few months" until Congress could act deliberately and wisely.

Hon. Thomas H. Benton, then in the height of his influence and power as senator from Missouri, was greatly interested in the

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condition of the new domain, and especially of New Mexico. Under date of August 28, 1848, he addressed an open letter to the people of California and New Mexico, in which he advised them "to meet in convention, provide for a cheap and simple government, and take care of yourselves until Congress can provide for you.''

The advice of Senator Benton was quickly followed. New Mexico was without any legal government, since the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo had ended the regime of military occupation, and the continuance of the de facto military authority was but a temporary makeshift justifiable by the peculiar conditions. The people were anxious for almost any form of government which would be regular in form and civil in character.

Under call from Governor Vigil, a convention was held at Santa Fe on October 10, 1848, and organized by the election of Antonio Jose Martinez, of Taos (the celebrated Padre Martinez), as president. Francisco Sarracino, who had been governor of New Mexico under the Mexican regime, in 1834, Governor Vigil, James Quinn, and Juan Perea were appointed a committee to draft a memorial to Congress expressing the views of the convention. They reported a form of petition, which was unanimously adopted, which looked to the immediate establishment of a territorial government.

Nothing resulted from the action of this convention, and the people continued to be very restless under the irregular authority of the military commanders. They, were divided into two parties, one anxious for statehood, and the other believing that a regular territorial organization, was all that could be obtained and that therefore their efforts should be bent in that direction.

FIRST STATE CONVENTION

In the spring of 1849, James S. Calhoun, afterwards the first governor under the organic act, was sent to New Mexico as Indian agent, but with semi-official instructions to favor the organization of a state government. In this he was actively aided by Manuel Alvarez, Angney, Pillans, etc., while Ceran St. Vrain, Judge Houghton, Carlos Beaubien, etc., favored a territorial form

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of government. Subsequently all parties united in the desire for a constitutional convention, and an important meeting was held in Santa Fe on April 20, 1850, where resolutions to that effect were adopted, and Colonel Munroe, then military governor, was requested to issue a proclamation calling for an election of delegates.
This he did in April, 1850, and a regular constitutional convention was elected, and commenced its session on May 15, 1850. James H. Quinn was elected president of the convention. The convention sat for ten days and succeeded in formulating a constitution which all concede to be an admirable instrument. The two features which naturally attract most attention are the clear declaration against slavery in the new state, and the appreciation shown of the value of public education. Besides the section of the constitution forever prohibiting slavery in New Mexico, there was a strong paragraph on that subject in the accompanying address, showing that slavery had always been the curse of the communities in which it existed. It should never be forgotten that this first constitutional convention in New Mexico, in which native New Mexicans composed over ninety per cent of the membership, took this high ground and maintained it courageously, although by so doing they were placing in jeopardy their own right to self-government.

On May 28th, Colonel Munroe, the military governor, issued his proclamation calling for an election on the adoption of the constitution to be held on June 20th, and also a vote on a separate ballot for governor and state officers. There was no real contest over the constitution, which seems to have been universally approved; the vote in favor of its adoption being 8,371 against 39 opposed. But for state and local officers there was the usual political contest. .The candidates for governor and lieutenant or vice-governor on one ticket were Henry Connelly, a well-known merchant of the Santa Fe Trail, and Manuel Alvarez, for many years United States consul at Santa Fe; while opposed to them were Tomas Cabeza de Baca and Ceran St. Vrain. A few of the ballots used at this first state election are still in existence, in the collection of the New Mexico Historical Society, and are written

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on paper of uniform size. Connelly and Alvarez were elected by a considerable majority.

The legislature met on the 4th of July and continued in session over a week. It elected Francis A. Cunningham and Richard H. Weightman, United States senators; made various appointments, ordered an election for local officials in August, and proceeded to enact general legislation. This was entirely contrary to the language of Governor Munroe's proclamation, and assumed that the state was actually established, and its government fully organized, without any congressional action.
A controversy immediately arose between Alvarez, acting as state governor while Connelly was absent in the East, and Colonel Munroe, the military and civil governor of the territory. Both were able men and sustained their respective positions with vigor. However, any real conflict was avoided, until the news arrived by the slow mails across the plains that Congress had passed the so-called compromise measures of 1850, which settled the whole matter.

Under their provisions California was admitted as a free state; New Mexico and Utah, covering all the remaining area acquired from Mexico, were made into territories, with no mention of slavery; Texas abandoned her claim on New Mexico east of the Rio Grande, and received a large compensation therefore.

The next formal action looking towards statehood was early in 1866, when the legislature passed an act authorizing the governor to call a constitutional convention, to be elected on the first Monday in March and to meet in the city of Santa Fe; the constitution formulated to be submitted to a vote of the people on the fourth Monday in June. Apparently nothing of a practical nature was accomplished under this law.

On February 3, 1870, the legislature passed an act providing for an election to be held on the first Monday in October of that year for the purpose of submitting a state constitution and electing the state officers and legislature provided therein, but nothing seems to have resulted from this attempt to secure self-government.

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To remedy this failure, the succeeding legislature took up the subject early in the session and passed a bill which was approved by the governor on February 1, 1872, entitled "An Act providing for a General Election for the Purpose of Submitting to a Vote of the People a State Constitution and State Officers.''
The constitution that was thus submitted was printed in a pamphlet of forty-seven pages and was a comprehensive and well arranged document, creditable to those who prepared and adopted it.

On the day after the election the Daily New Mexican said," The election yesterday passed off very quietly, only about half of the vote being polled." The next day there appeared in the New Mexican an editorial article, evidently inspired by Governor Giddings, which gave a reason or rather an excuse for letting the whole subject drop.

So this attempt at statehood, which occupied the attention of two legislatures, and caused a constitution to be prepared, printed, approved by the legislature, and submitted to the people at a special election held solely for that purpose, died without any good cause; and another of the unfortunate accidents which have retarded the progress of New Mexico was added to the list.

CONGRESSIONAL ACTION

While these proceedings had been taken in New Mexico, on almost every available occasion, Congress had been no less active in considering the subject.
At almost every session a bill for the admission of New Mexico was introduced, generally reported favorably in the House, and more or less considered, but without any definite result.

In 1869 an attempt was made, though not by New Mexicans, to transform the territory into a state called Lincoln; but this project was ultimately defeated in the Senate.

In the 40th Congress, Delegate J. Francisco Chaves made a vigorous and eloquent speech in favor of statehood and in defense of the people against unjust criticism.
In the 43d Congress (1873-5) the enabling act was introduced

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by Hon. Stephen B. Elkins, then delegate from New Mexico, and on the 21st of May, 1874, he delivered a carefully prepared speech on the bill, which contained the best collection of facts and arguments on the subject that had ever been presented to Congress. The bill passed the House by the remarkable vote of 160 to 54 and was sent to the Senate for concurrence. In that body it finally passed on February 24, 1875, by the decisive majority of 32 to 11, with a slight amendment. It was then that the series of misadventures which had accompanied all the attempts to secure New Mexican statehood from the beginning culminated in the incident which has become historic as the Elkins handshake,'' and again dashed the cup of success from the very lips of the people of the territory. When the bill was returned to the House, after passing the Senate with amendments, but ten days of the session remained, and the difficulty was to get the bill before the House for action within this brief and busy time. To suspend the rules required a two-thirds vote, and this was necessary if the bill was to be considered at all.

Just at this time, Hon. Julius C. Burrows, of Michigan, made a powerful speech on political subjects, in which he characterized the Rebellion and those engaged in it in plain terms - which at that period, on account of its allusions to the war, was called a "bloody shirt" speech. Mr. Elkins, who had been conversing with friends in the lobby, had not heard a word of the speech, but happened to reenter the chamber just as Mr. Burrows had concluded and was receiving the congratulations of a crowd of members about him. Filled with his spirit of cordiality, Mr. Elkins joined the group and shook hands with the speaker with characteristic vigor. This was observed by a number of Southern members whose feelings had been much excited by the speech, and they instantly concluded that they would lend no aid to the passage of the New Mexico bill which it was understood would bring Mr. Elkins speedily to the Senate. The delegate did what he could in the brief interval to repair the damage, but a sufficient number of former supporters from Georgia and Alabama refused to be placated, thus making it impossible to obtain the two-thirds vote necessary; and so the enabling act was lost.

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In the succeeding Congress (the 44th) Mr. Elkins again secured the introduction of the enabling act for New Mexico, and it passed the Senate during its first session, on March 10, 1876, by the strong vote of 35 to 15. In the House of Representatives it was reported favorably by the committee on territories, and was on the calendar, awaiting action at the time of the final adjournment.

After these virtual defeats, although in no case was there an actual vote adverse to New Mexico, and the retirement of Mr. Elkins as delegate, no active efforts looking to statehood were made for several years.

Early in the session of the 50th Congress, which met in December, 1887, a bill was introduced to provide for the formation and admission into the Union of the States of Washington, Dakota, Montana and New Mexico." Accompanying this bill was a very voluminous report, or series of reports, covering 145 pages and regarding the four territories affected by it. The minority report, presented by Mr. Struble of Iowa, attracted much attention, and aroused great indignation in New Mexico, on account of its violent opposition to our admission to statehood, and the bitter attack on the territory and its people.

The subject was discussed at length, both in and out of Congress, and the result was the elimination of New Mexico and the admission of the two Dakotas, of Washington, and Montana.
On the 6th day of January, 1890, Mr. Springer, of Illinois, introduced a bill "To enable the people of Arizona, Idaho, New Mexico, and Wyoming, to form constitutions and State governments and to be admitted into the Union,'' etc.
In this case, again, the Southwest was neglected and the Northwest was favored; for before the passage of the bill Arizona and New Mexico, though by far the oldest of the four territories named, and New Mexico being also the most populous, were eliminated from it. They were thus left in the territorial condition, while Idaho and Wyoming, with a combined population less than that of New Mexico alone, were admitted.

In the 52d Congress (1891-3), Mr. Joseph again introduced an

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enabling act, known as House Bill 7136. He succeeded in securing a favorable report from the committee on territories, and by courtesy was appointed to make the report himself, which he did on March 16, 1892. The bill passed the House on June 6th and reached the Senate June 8,1892, but had the usual fate of failing to pass that body.

In the 53d Congress, Hon. Antonio Joseph was again a delegate from New Mexico, and introduced a statehood bill at the earliest possible opportunity of the first session. This bill passed the House on the 28th of June, 1894, and in the senate was referred to the committee on territories. As usual, the session proved too short for action on the bill, so it suffered the fate of its predecessors.

CONSTITUTION OF 1890

While Congress was discussing one of these numerous bills, without result, the people of New Mexico determined to take the matter into their own hands and initiate the necessary proceedings for admission to the Union.

In February, 1889, Hon. George W. Prichard introduced in the Council "An Act to Provide for a Constitutional Convention and the Formation of a State Constitution.'' The bill provided for a delegate convention to be held in September, 1889, for the purpose of framing a constitution. The convention was to be composed of 73 delegates, who were apportioned by the bill among the various counties, and were to be chosen at an election on the first Tuesday in August. It was to frame a constitution and provide for a special election at which such constitution should be submitted to the people for ratification. This bill was passed by both houses, but the governor failed to approve it, as he considered the apportionment objectionable; but he did not veto it, and it became a law by limitation, February 28, 1889.

The Democrats, as a rule, under peremptory orders from Mr. Childers, chairman of their committee, refused to nominate candidates or participate in the election. A very few men of sufficient influence or independence to disregard the commands of the party leaders united with the Republicans in the campaign,

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Hon. L. S. Trimble, long a member of Congress from Kentucky, being the most conspicuous example.

The convention met on September 3, 1889, elected J. Francisco Chaves as president, and continued in session till September 21st. The constitution was then printed in both English and Spanish and circulated widely throughout the territory.

After an adjournment of nearly an entire year the convention reassembled on August 18,1890, and provided for the submission of the constitution to a vote of the people on October 7, 1890. At the election the constitution was defeated by a vote of 16,180 to 7,493.

This adverse vote had no effect on the efforts of the people for self-government, and all parties proceeded as before in endeavoring to secure admission through an enabling act of Congress.

CONGRESSIONAL ACTION AGAIN

In the 54th Congress (1895), Mr. Joseph was succeeded by Hon. Thomas B. Catron. He had always been an active friend of statehood and lost no time in introducing an enabling act.

The history of the struggle during the next ten years presents a succession of attempts, regularly begun at the opening of each new Congress, carried on with more or less vigor, with apparent excellent prospects of success, usually resulting in the passage of the bill by the House of Representatives and its reference in the Senate to the committee on territories. Sometimes there would be public hearings by a committee; usually the delegate would make at least one speech, begging for tardy justice to his people, and then at some stage of the procedure, either in the House or in the Senate, either in committee or on the floor, a snag was encountered, and the bill died at the end of the session because it could not overcome the obstacle in time.

Mr. Catron was succeeded as delegate by Hon. H. B. Fergus-son in the 55th Congress, and he, by Hon. Pedro Perea in the 56th.

Hon. Bernard S. Rodey was delegate from New Mexico in both the 57th and 58th Congresses, which extended from 1901 to 1905.
To say that he was devoted to the cause of statehood is to state

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the case mildly. He was enthusiastically devoted to it. He set before himself as the one great object to be attained during his congressional service, the passage of an enabling act for New Mexico. Everything else was subordinated to it, in order that this particular matter could have undivided attention. But even his enthusiasm could not produce the desired effect; and the sessions were barren of result.

In 1905, Hon. W. H. Andrews became delegate from New Mexico, and took up the work of the struggle where it had been left by his predecessor. Mr. Andrews was no less anxious for statehood than Mr. Eode but his method of operation was entirely different. He was never known to make a regular "speech," except of the shortest description; but as a quiet and convincing conversationalist he had few equals. His close connection with Senators Quay and Penrose and the Pennsylvania delegation gave him an influence that was very valuable, and which was constantly used to advance the cause of New Mexican statehood.

The question of forming one state by uniting New Mexico and Arizona, became prominent at this time, the bill which elicited most debate being an enabling act for Oklahoma and the Indian Territory as one state, and for New Mexico and Arizona as one state.

JOINT STATEHOOD MOVEMENT OF 1906

The idea of joint statehood for New Mexico and Arizona was distasteful in both territories. There was a good reason for this. Nature itself had separated them by placing the great continental divide as a practical barrier between them. It seemed impossible for the Eastern mind to grasp this elemental fact. The average Eastern congressman, knowing that each territory was anxious for statehood, and really unfavorable to an increase of Western states, looked at the map, saw two squares contiguous to each other, and instantly found a satisfactory solution of the difficulty by saying: '' Why not join them together and make one oblong of them?" The opponents of Western influence saw in this an easy method to reduce the danger of too many senators;

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and to the ignorant and unthinking it seemed a simple and natural arrangement, and so the "joint statehood" bill was passed by Congress.

What made the plan even more unpalatable to New Mexicans was the proposition to call the new state "Arizona." This showed as great an ignorance of history as the proposed union did of geography.

But the joint statehood bill having been passed, the practical question -was, what to do about it. The national administration in Washington was fully committed to this plan of admission. The territories were practically threatened by the dominant powers at the national capital that if this plan for admission was rejected by the people, it would be long before any new opportunity for statehood could be obtained. In the minds of most New Mexicans it was a choice between two evils, and the intense desire to escape from the demoralizing conditions almost inseparable from the provincial system, and to enjoy the American right of self-government, prevailed with a great number of citizens.

The two political organizations in New Mexico, usually too antagonistic to work harmoniously in any cause, through their territorial committees united in an appeal to the people to vote "aye" at the election, for joint statehood.

It is probable that the almost universal belief that Arizona would vote against jointure, and that consequently New Mexico could show her desire for statehood without danger, and place herself in a favorable position for future action in Washington had influence with some. At all events, the majority in favor of admission under the joint statehood act, at the election of 1906 in New Mexico, was a very substantial one, the vote being nearly two to one in the territory and as high as ten to one in certain counties. It was officially announced as follows:

Yes 26,195
No 14,735
Majority for joint statehood 11,460

Arizona voted "no" on the joint statehood proposition, by an

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overwhelming vote, as had been expected; and that negative vote ended all further proceedings under the joint statehood act.

PROPOSED CONVENTION OF 1907

With careful foresight preliminary measures had been taken in advance of the election to take advantage of exactly the situation which actually did occur, by arranging that in case Arizona declined the proffered partnership, but New Mexico voted for statehood, the New Mexican delegates should meet and formulate a constitution for that state alone and present it in Washington with a request for admission under it.

The advantages of this course were obvious to everyone informed as to the history of the admission of territories. A considerable number of the delegates, representing all sections of the territory, met at the capitol in Santa Fe on January 7, 1907, and organized by the election of L. B. Prince, of Rio Arriba county, as president, and David M. White, of Santa Fe, as secretary. Letters were received from a large number of absent delegates stating that they would attend as soon as active business was commenced. Letters were also read from a number of leading United States senators expressing great interest in the work of the convention and urging the early formation and presentation of a constitution. After a full discussion of the situation, it was resolved to adjourn to February 5th, when the legislature would be in session.

At the February meeting, a large number of delegates who could not attend in January were present. All recognized the importance of framing a constitution as soon as practicable, in order to secure early congressional action, but there was considerable discussion as to the necessary expenses of the convention. Mr. Catron moved that a committee of seven be appointed to prepare a bill for the legislature, looking to a meeting of the convention in August, and to confer with members of that body relative to its provisions and passage.

For reasons difficult to understand, no further action was taken. The legislature was a very busy one and largely occupied by

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political contentions, and gave the subject scant attention. After the legislature had failed to act, the governor was asked to name a time for the assembling of the delegates, in order to give the convention his official sanction, but this also failed.

Thus again the opportunity for almost immediate admission was lost. Every one has since realized that if the delegates had gone on with their work and prepared a constitution, and the matter could thus have been presented to Congress in the succeeding winter, free from uncertainty as to the character of the government which would be established, New Mexico would have become a state in 1908.

SUCCESS

When the 61st Congress met, in December, 1909, Mr. Andrews again represented New Mexico, having been reflected mainly on the statehood issue. He pursued the course of wisdom by cooperating with the House committee on territories, with the result that on January 17, 1910, the so-called Hamilton Bill - H. R. 18166 - was passed by the House of Representatives without opposition. It was received in the Senate the next day and referred to the committee on territories.
It was well known that Senator Beveridge had in mind a number of provisions varying from those in the Hamilton bill, but thanks to strong influences outside of Congress, preeminent among which was that of President Taft, there was now little outspoken opposition to statehood for either New Mexico or Arizona.
The only division was as to preference for the Senate or the House bill. The vote on this question was by strict party lines, the Republicans voting for the Senate bill and the Democrats for the House bill, the result being 42 to 19 in favor of the former. On the final vote on the passage of the bill, the vote was unanimous!
Shortly after two o'clock on the afternoon of Saturday, June 18th, Speaker Cannon laid the bill as amended in the Senate before the House. There was a moment of suppressed excitement, and then Mr. Lloyd, of Missouri, the senior Democratic member of the committee, rose and said that while he was not entirely sat-

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isfied with the Senate bill, yet in order to insure immediate statehood for the territories he would not oppose it. Instantly Mr. Hamilton, the committee chairman, moved to concur in the Senate amendments. The question was put, viva voce, there being no demand for a roll call, and the House concurred by unanimous vote!
The deed was done! The long conflict of sixty years was over! Members crowded around Delegate Andrews to offer congratulations.

AT LAST

That was on Saturday.

The president had signified his desire to affix the signature which would give legal vitality to the bill and transform it into a law before leaving Washington on Monday, so all the preceding formalities were hastened.

On Monday morning, notwithstanding its length, the statehood bill was properly enrolled and ready for the official signatures.

From the capitol it was quickly conveyed to the White House, where the president was ready to act. Here were assembled several of those who had been most active in achieving its success, with such representatives of the two territories as were in the national capital.

The president said a few words of congratulation, and then proposed to affix his official signature. The postmaster-general presented a gold pen with the request that it should be used, and Delegate Andrews produced the unique gold-banded quill taken from the great American eagle captured in Taos, and furnished for the occasion, in its beautiful case, as a patriotic service by George B. Paxton, when he had no thought that death would forbid his presence at the ceremony. The president wrote half of the signature with the former and the remainder with the latter, returning the pens to the donors as mementoes of this great historic occasion.
The White House clock stood at 1:40 p. m.

That signature ended the drama of the "Struggle for State-

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hood." There had been more than fifty statehood bills in the sixty years of effort. Those few penstrokes transformed a Statehood Bill into a Statehood Law.

CHAPTER XXIV
Churches - Schools - Newspapers

In order to take a comprehensive view of certain subjects, it seems necessary to group together the facts connected with them rather than to scatter them in the general narrative as they occurred chronologically; and this is particularly true of such distinct topics as those of churches, schools, and newspapers. With a view, therefore, to convenience of reference, and a connected consideration of each subject separately, the leading facts regarding these three topics are thus brought together in this chapter.

CHURCHES

The introduction of Christianity into New Mexico, by the efforts of the Franciscan friars, has been referred to many times in the general historical narrative, because it is so closely interwoven with other events that it could not easily be separated.

Thus we have heard of the friars, Juan de Padilla and Luis de Escalona, who insisted on remaining as missionaries among the northern Indians when Coronado's army returned to Mexico in 1542, and who soon received the crown of martyrdom which was the certain result of their determination.

We also know the touching history of Friar Agustin Rodriguez or Ruiz, who begged the privilege of entering this field of missionary effort, and finally succeeded in reaching New Mexico with his companions, Friars Francisco Lopez and Juan de Santa Maria, with a small escort of soldiers, in 1580. Here they settled at Puara, no doubt the Tihuex of Goronado, as the center of operations; and when the soldiers of the king insisted on returning to the south, these Soldiers of the Cross refused to leave the

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land where there were so many heathen to be converted; and so, in turn, each sealed his testimony with his blood.

We have read of the zeal of the Franciscans who accompanied Onate in the colonization of the territory, and of the immediate building of the first church in New Mexico, at San Gabriel, and its dedication on August 8, 1598, with elaborate ceremonies to impress the minds of the native Indians. There were then ten Franciscans with the expedition and they were promptly assigned to the important pueblos, and the era of church building commenced.

When Onate went on his celebrated expedition to Quivira, in 1601, he was accompanied by Father Velasco and Father Vergara, leaving Father Escalona and four other Franciscans at San Gabriel. At this date began the complaints of the Franciscans against the tyranny, cruelty, and injustice of the governors, which continued almost without intermission, and no doubt not without good cause, through most of the administrations under the Spanish crown.

About 1620 came Padre Geronimo de Zarate Salmeron, the most successful of missionaries, who baptized no less than 6,566 Indians during his eight years' residence at Jemez, and according to whom and to Benavides, 34,000 Indians had been baptized and forty-three churches built before 1626. In 1621 the New Mexican missions were organized as the '' Custodia of the Conversion of St. Paul,7' in exclusive charge of the Franciscans and with Benavides himself as the first custodio.

Father Francisco de Ayeta was appointed custodio in 1674 but returned to Mexico and was absent at the time of the revolution of 1680. On August 10th of that year occurred the great uprising of the Pueblos, and the most wholesale martyrdom of Franciscan missionaries that the world has ever seen. In a single day twenty-one were killed in various ways in the different pueblos where they were stationed. Lack of space does not permit giving the particulars; but the terrible event created such an interest all over the Christian world that a solemn funeral ceremony took place in the cathedral of the city of Mexico on the

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succeeding 20th of March, when all the dignitaries of New Spain were present and a remarkable obituary sermon was preached by Dr. Ysidro Sarinana y Cuenca.
The whole history of the Franciscan missions in New Mexico is one of wonderful zeal, devotion, and self-sacrifice. It would be difficult to imagine a greater example of self-abnegation than the practical exile from civilization and companionship involved in a residence in an isolated pueblo, absolutely cut off from the world, ministering to a people with whose habits of life and thought there could be scarcely anything in common. No more forcible example of an unselfish missionary spirit can be found in history than in the case of the Franciscans of New Mexico during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries.

The majestic ruins of the great mission churches at Pecos, Abo, Cuara, and the so-called Gran Quivira, and a host of others, bear witness to the labors of the zealous Soldiers of the Cross; while the existing churches in the towns of the Rio Grande Valley, and at Acoma, Laguna, and other pueblos, are an additional evidence of the zeal and success of the Christian temple-builders of those days.

During the Spanish and Mexican eras, New Mexico was included in the Roman Catholic diocese of Durango, and ecclesiastically subject to its bishops. Episcopal visitations, however, were few and far between. Bishop Crespo came in 1725 but did not reach Santa Fe; and again in 1730 made a more extended tour, but in some places was not allowed to hold confirmations, as the Franciscans disclaimed his authority. A protracted controversy ensued as to this between the bishop and the Franciscan authorities in Mexico. There were also long continued controversies between the Franciscans and the Jesuits as to the ecclesiastical control of Moqui.
Just one episcopal visitation was made by Bishop Elizacochea, of Durango, and in 1760 Bishop Tamaron made a visitation during which he is said to have confirmed 2,973 persons in El Paso, and 11,371 in New Mexico. Then for a long time New Mexico seems to have been forgotten by the ecclesiastical authorities, so

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that Pedro Bautista Pino, when a member of the Spanish Cortes in 1812, said that he had never seen a bishop in his life until he came to Spain.

With the Mexican revolution came the withdrawal of the Franciscans and the substitution of secular priests: and these latter were largely recruited from the leading families of New Mexico itself. In numbers the clergy were greatly reduced, there being, in 1823, but five Franciscans and six secular priests in the territory. Bishop Zubiria visited New Mexico in 1833, spending several months in the territory and making a special journey to Abiquiu in July. He came again in 1837, and once more in 1850, after the American occupation.

For a long time before that date, Rev. Juan Felipe Ortiz had been vicar-general in charge of New Mexico, and he was left in control by Bishop Zubiria in 1850; but the change in sovereignty naturally caused a change in ecclesiastical relations, and the Pope erected New Mexico into a separate vicariate, with Rev. John B. Lamy as apostolic vicar, he being consecrated as a bishop in partibus for that purpose, at Cincinnati, on November 24, 1850. Owing to the long delays of travel, he did not arrive in Santa Fe until July, 1851. Neither the vicar-general nor any of the clergy had been informed of his appointment, and they still held allegiance to the bishop of Durango; but this difficulty was soon set at rest, and all accepted the new authority.

In 1852 Bishop Lamy was formally given the title of bishop of Santa Fe. He found in his new jurisdiction only ten priests, and their names show them all to have been of New Mexican families. Those names are Ortiz, Gallegos, Leiva, Lucero, Lujan, Martinez, Montano, Salazar, and Trujillo. Between such a Mexican priesthood with the habits and customs that had existed for a long period and a young and earnest bishop of French birth and ideas, not much harmony could be expected. There was friction from the beginning. One by one the old priests were removed and their places filled by French clergy whom the bishop secured by a personal visit in 1853. These latter were earnest young men, thoroughly devoted to the bishop, and the most of whom

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spent their lives in New Mexico in zealous parochial labors, and left behind them a good report of influence exerted and work accomplished. Of the deposed Mexican clergy, two became important political factors in the territory, Padre Martinez of Taos, and Padre Gallegos of Albuquerque; the former also continued to exercise his priestly functions in a chapel at Taos, until his death, and was followed and supported by a large and important portion of his old parishioners.
From the time of the organization of the vicariate and subsequent diocese, there has been steady progress.

In February, 1875, Santa Fe was made an arch-diocese with Bishop Lamy as archbishop; Colorado and Arizona being within the enlarged jurisdiction.
On February 19, 1885, Bishop Salpointe, of Tucson, became coadjutor to Archbishop Lamy, and succeeded him as archbishop on his resignation, on October 11th of that year.

In August, 1891, Eev. Plaeido L. Chapelle, of Washington, was consecrated as bishop and appointed as coadjutor to Archbishop Salpointe, and on the resignation of the latter became archbishop of Santa Fe, January 9, 1894. He was subsequently promoted to be archbishop of New Orleans.
To the great joy of the old French clergy of New Mexico, Bishop Bourgade, who was one of the priests brought out by Bishop Lamy in 1869, was selected to succeed Archbishop Chapelle, and became archbishop, January 7, 1899.

The Rev. J. B. Pitaval, of Colorado, was consecrated bishop and made assistant to Archbishop Bourgade, July 25, 1902; and succeeded the latter, after his death on January 3,1909. All the occupants of the arehi-episcopal chair of Santa Fe have been men of high character and ability, and the affairs of the Roman Catholic church in New Mexico have been well cared for and successfully conducted under their wise administration.

Down to the time of the American occupation, the Roman Catholic was the only form of Christianity known in New Mexico,

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and indeed there was little else until the coming of the railroad, in 1879; for the so-called "Americans" that came into the country before that time were not of a class that usually cares much about religious organizations of any kind.

The first Protestant clergyman to hold services in New Mexico was Rev. Henry W. Reed, who officiated in Santa Fe, in July, 1849, and also conducted a school in that city. He erected a modest adobe church, which was the first Protestant place of worship, and was dedicated January 15, 1854. As the mission did not prove a success, the property was sold to the Presbyterians in 1866. In 1852 Rev. Samuel Gorman came as a missionary to the pueblo of Laguna and was formally adopted as a member of the pueblo, and was its governor at the time of his death in 1861. Years afterwards, the work at that pueblo was renewed by Rev. John Menaul, a Presbyterian clergyman, who established a school and preached regularly there for many years. He learned the language of the Indians sufficiently well to use it in his services. He opened a printing office, in which he did the work himself, and published several pamphlets in the language of the Laguna Indians, all of which are now very rare. Since the immigration from the east the Baptists have established congregations in many places, and now have twenty-eight churches valued at $67,300.
The Methodists were the next in the field. In December, 1850, they sent Rev. E. G. Nicholson to Santa Fe, where he conducted services for about two years, but found the field so discouraging that the work was abandoned. Other attempts met a similar fate until Rev. Thomas Harwood arrived in 1871 and settled at La Junta, now called "Watrous. His energy and persistence overcame all obstacles and the results of his long continued labors are now to be seen in missions and schools in all sections of the state. For a long period he was at the head of the Spanish work of the Methodist church in New Mexico, and after forty years of constant service he is still actively engaged in his official labors. The Methodist Episcopal church has now fifty-one churches in New Mexico, valued at $125,000; and the Southern Methodists,

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who entered the territory much later, have twenty-five churches writh an estimated value of $70,000.

The Rev. W. T. Kephardt was the first Presbyterian missionary, and he entered upon his duties in the same year, 1851, also at Santa Fe. In fact, in the beginning, all missionary work was there. Mr. Kephardt failed to make any impression, and soon devoted himself to editorial work of anti-slavery character on the Santa Fe Gazette. The mission work, however, was not abandoned; in 1866 the Baptist property at Santa Fe was purchased at considerable expense, and after the coming of the railroad a very creditable church was erected in place of the old adobe structure. The Presbyterians have been very active and constant in their work, both with the Americans and Mexicans ; and with schools as well as churches. They now have forty-four church edifices, which are valued at over $100,000, besides their educational institutions.

On July 5, 1863, and the succeeding Sunday, the first services of the Episcopal church were held in Santa Fe, by the Right Rev. Joseph C. Talbot, then Missionary Bishop of the Northwest, assisted by Rev. M. A. Rich, and Rev. A. H. De Mora, the services being both in English and Spanish. In 1868, Bishop Randall, of Colorado, temporarily in charge of New Mexico, made a visitation and officiated, but there wras not yet a resident clergyman.

In 1874 the General Convention of the Church organized New Mexico and Arizona into a missionary district and elected Rev. Wm. F. Adams, of New Orleans, as bishop. Dr. Adams was consecrated in New Orleans on January 17, 1875, by the bishops of Mississippi, Louisiana, and Georgia. He proceeded to his new field without delay, arriving in Santa Fe in time for a service on February 7th, and bringing with him Rev. Henry Forrester. Bishop Adams resigned in 1877, and left Mr. Forrester as the only Episcopal clergyman in New Mexico. He continued in charge in Santa Fe until the fall of 1879, when he moved to Las Vegas and succeeded in building the first Episcopal church in New Mexico - a very plain, adobe structure, still standing. In

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1880 the district was regularly organized by holding the first convocation in Albuquerque, where resolutions were passed asking for the immediate election of a new bishop. Bishop Spald-ing, of Colorado, presided.

At the General Convention, held in the ensuing October, Rev. George K. Dunlop, of Missouri, was elected bishop, and was consecrated in November, 1880. During his episcopate, stone churches were built at Santa Fe, Albuquerque, and Las Vegas, a number of other points were occupied, and the affairs of the Church prospered. He died in March, 1888, and was succeeded by Right Rev. J. Mills Kendrick, of Ohio, who was consecrated January 18, 1889, and died in the summer of 1911. In 1892 New Mexico became a district by itself, and at the General Convention of 1910 Bishop Kendrick was relieved of the care of Arizona so as to devote his entire attention to New Mexico. The growth of the church, though not rapid, has been substantial. The number of churches is fourteen, valued at $66,750.
The Congregationalists were prominent in New Mexico at the time when the New West Commission was conducting the academies at Santa Fe, Las Vegas, Albuquerque, etc., and the University at Santa Fe was actively engaged in educational work. In 1881 and 1882 churches were built in Santa Fe and Albuquerque. At the present time they have four churches, valued at $20,000.

Various other Christian bodies, as well as the Jews, whose first temple was erected in 1885, are now represented in the state. All religious organizations are prosperous and doing good work. The following table shows the number of congregations and members belonging to each religious body according to the latest statistics :

	CONGREGATIONS	MEMBERS
Adventist	6	218
Baptists	62	2,403
Plymouth Brethren	1	6
Christadelphian	1	10
Congregational	5	270
Christian or Disciples	16	1,092
Episcopal	18	867
Independent Jewish	1	30
Mormon Lutheran	3	120
Methodist, North	6	738
Methodist, South	3	100
Methodist, Colored	62	3,513
Presbyterian Reformed	48	2,882
Roman Catholic	5	165
Salvationists	54	2,935
	2	70
	330	121,558
	2	30

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SCHOOLS

Although there had been some royal decrees on the subject, yet it was not until the establishment of Mexican independence that any practical movement was made looking toward the general education of the people; but under the new system of self-government this important subject immediately attracted attention. As early as April 27, 1822, the provincial deputation passed the following resolution "Resolved, that the town councils [ayun-tamientos] be officially notified to complete the formation of primary public schools as soon as possible according to the circumstances of each community.'' Unfortunately, the good intentions evinced by this resolution had very little practical result in New Mexico, owing to the circumstances of the country, and for a long period none but those who were able to afford private instruction received any education worthy of the name. The sons of the wealthy in many cases were sent to Durango and even as far as the city of Mexieo on the south, while others went eastward, to St. Louis, Montreal, and even New York for their advanced education ; but their numbers of course were very limited.

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There were a few private schools, carried on from time to time by individual teachers, but without any organization or continuity. One of the first of these was that of Geronimo Becerra at Abiquiu, about the year 1800, at which the future Padre Martinez and a number of other boys of the northern district received the rudiments of education. The best known of all of these schools was that carried on for many years in Taos by the same Padre Martinez himself. This celebrated priest was an enthusiast on the subject of education, and the result of his teaching influenced an entire generation in the north of the territory. He printed, on a small press which had been brought from Mexico to Santa Fe, and which he carried to Taos, the first books that were ever published in the territory, being elementary books of instruction to be used by his students. He also published the first newspaper in New Mexico, which is referred to elsewhere.

At nearly the same time the Rev. Agustin Fernandez had a similar school in Santa Fe. One Rafael Pacheco taught boys, about the year 1840, in his house near the present St. Michael's college. Soon after this Mauricio Arce had a boys' school on San Francisco street, and Maraquita Arce, his wife, taught both boys and girls on lower Palace avenue. During the few years before the coming of Governor Martinez from Mexico, in 1844, there was at least a semblance of a public school, with Serafin Ramirez, Vicente Trancosa, and Nicolas Quintana teaching at various times: but the funds for the purpose were scanty and precarious.

Governor Martinez, full of energy, brought two new teachers, Edward Papy, an Englishman, from the States, and Francisco Gonzales, from Mexico, which gave quite an impetus to educational matters for a short time. But the result or lack of result of all the efforts made, only led to the condition of matters so graphically described by Governor Vigil in his message to the first New Mexico legislature, in 1847. He says:'' There is at present but one public school in the Territory, that located in the city of Santa Fe, and supported by funds of the county, which are insufficient to employ more than one teacher.''

The United States government did nothing whatever to improve conditions as it has since done in Porto Rico and the Philippines,

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and educational matters dragged miserably for years, at least so far as public education went.

The first English school in Santa Fe was opened on August 28, 1848, by J. W. Dunn, whose advertisement appears in the Santa Fe Republican as "Classical and High School." In July, 1849, Rev. Henry W. Reed, a Baptist missionary, tried a similar experiment, in which Mrs. Reed assisted, and both boys and girls were received. Soon after the arrival of Bishop Lamy, in the fall of 1851, a Frenchman named Noel opened a school, under the patronage of the bishop, in the house south of the church of St. Francis. The first English school, exclusively for girls, was established in 1852 by Mrs. Howe, the wife of an'army officer, and this attracted the attendance of the daughters of some of the most prominent families in the territory, including the Pereas and the Chaveses.

Almost at the same time, Bishop Lamy succeeded in establishing an educational institution for girls in the same city. From the time of his arrival in the territory this had been his ardent desire, but it was only after much difficulty that he succeeded in inducing the Sisters of Loretta to send a sufficient number of their order to New Mexico to establish the institution. On June 27, 1852, six of the sisters left their home in Kentucky and proceeded on the long journey across the plains for this purpose. On the route they became victims of attacks from cholera, which was then raging throughout the country, and Mother Matilda, the Superior, died on the steamboat "Kansas," on which they were ascending the Missouri River to Independence. Another of the sisters was forced to return, but four of them succeeded in arriving at Santa Fe on the 26th of September, and opened their school on New Year's Day, 1853, under the title of the Convent of Our Lady of Light, with ten boarders and three day scholars. From this humble beginning their educational influence on the girls of New Mexico has extended as the years have passed. In 1863, three sisters founded a school at Taos. A year later, they opened establishments in Mora and in Denver, and continued to extend the number of their institutions by going to Las Vegas in

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1869, Las Cruces in 1870, Bernalillo in 1875, and more recently at other points.

In order to secure equal facilities for the boys of New Mexico, Bishop Lamy persuaded the Christian Brothers to come to the territory, where they opened St. Michael's College at Santa Fe in 1859, and besides affording an education at that central point to more than a generation of the youth of New Mexico, they extended the sphere of their usefulness to Mora, Bernalillo, Las Vegas, Socorro, and other points. During almost all of this period they were under the charge of Brother Botulph, whose educational labor of love finds its reward in the good influence which he has exerted. In 1875, the Jesuits opened a college at Las Vegas, which was very successful until removed to Denver, and they have since added new fields for their educational activity at Watrous, Albuquerque, etc.
The other religious bodies were not idle. In 1870, Rev. J. A. Annin, a Presbyterian clergyman, established a school at Las Vegas. This was the beginning of the Presbyterian educational work which has since become very extensive in New Mexico.

In 1871, Rev. Thomas Harwood commenced his mission school at La Junta (Watrous), and for over forty years has been the head of the Methodist educational work in this part of the country and has seen it increase to large proportions.

In 1878, in view of the expected arrival of the railroad connecting New Mexico with the east, and the influx of eastern population, the attention of the New West Educational Commission was attracted to this territory, and on July 4, 1878, Santa Fe Academy was incorporated, to be carried on as a portion of their work. A year later a similar academy was organized in Las Vegas, on July 14th, and shortly thereafter the third was added at Albuquerque. All of these did excellent educational work which only ceased when public educational institutions made its continuance unnecessary. In 1881, the Educational Association of New Mexico was organized to continue and amplify the work done by the Santa Fe academy, and in the same year the University of New Mexico, at Santa Fe, was incorporated, to prosecute in an

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extended manner the work then carried on by the New West Commission, and Whitin Hall at Santa Fe was erected at a cost of $15,000 as the center of its work. Other private and denominational institutions added their educational facilities within the first few years after the coming of the railroad; but the public school system was still unimportant as an educational force.

The people were unaccustomed to any direct tax for such purposes, and at best their means were small.

The legislature, from time to time, passed acts intended to improve the situation, but without any actual result. When the question of establishing public schools to be supported by a general tax was first submitted to the people in 1855 the remarkable result was a vote of thirty-seven in favor and 5,016 opposed! Really effective measures to put a modern public school system in operation always met influential opposition. In 1876 such a bill passed the Council, but was defeated in the House by four majority. A similar measure was likewise defeated in 1878 and 1880. Even as late as 1889 the opponents of public schools succeeded in killing the "Kistler Bill." In connection with this long struggle for free public non-sectarian education, the services of Secretary William G. Ritch should never be forgotten. His indefatigable zeal and courage had much to do with the final success.

It was not until the legislative session of 1891 that what may be called a comprehensive, modern public school system was inaugurated. Governor Prince made that subject the salient point in his biennial message to the legislature, with a powerful appeal for immediate action. On February 12th of that year, a law was passed "Establishing common schools in the Territory of New Mexico and creating the office of Superintendent of Public Instruction," which marked a new era in the educational history of the territory, so far as common schools were concerned. During the two preceding years, three institutions of higher education had been established - the Territorial University at Albuquerque, the College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts at Mesilla Park near Las Cruces, and the School of Mines at Socorro. For each of these substantial buildings were erected, and although

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their first years were necessarily "a day of small things," yet the foundations were well laid and they have constantly increased in educational character and practical usefulness as time has passed.

The act of 1891 provided for a territorial board of education, which included the governor and the presidents of some of the higher institutions, and for a superintendent of public instruction, with powers which gave him the actual oversight of all the public schools in the territory, to be appointed by the governor. The wise appointment of Amado Chaves to that position smoothed the way for the successful introduction of the new system and secured its favorable reception. From that time until now, educational matters in New Mexico have progressed with great rapidity, the number of public schools, which was about 500 in 1891, having doubled and reached the full figure ot 1,000 in 1912. The percentage of illiteracy which has been used in the East and in congressional debates, as a reproach to New Mexico, has been rapidly reduced, showing a ratio of improvement unprecedented in its extent. Sixty thousand scholars are enrolled and 40,000 in actual attendance. The number of teachers, which was but 552 in 1891, has increased to 1,548; the great gain being in the number of women, which in the twenty-one years has risen from 179 to 1,043. The value of public school property is almost a million dollars; that of the state institutions over a million; of private schools about $400,000; and of the Indian schools over $400,000.

In 1891, the Goss Military Institute at Roswell was given an official character and afterwards became a regular territorial institution. The first normal school of any kind in New Mexico was held in 1891 in Las Vegas, on a call made by the county superintendent asking the teachers of San Miguel county to meet for mutual improvement and instruction. It commenced as a teachers' institute, but was continued for almost a month, from June 22d to July 17th, as a normal school, with very encouraging success; and, from this arose, almost immediately after, the establishment by the legislature of two territorial normal institutions, one at Las Vegas and one at Silver City. In 1909 the

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Spanish-American Normal School was established at El Rito, for the important purpose of preparing -native New Mexican teachers for the great number of rural schools in the state. In recent years, the educational work has progressed very rapidly, not only in the way of general and public instruction, but through a multitude of denominational and private schools which are to be found in all parts of New Mexico.

Meanwhile, the education of the Indians has not been neglected, and is still one of the most conspicuous features of the school work in the state. The University at Santa Fe took up this work in 1886 and established for that specific purpose an institution known as the Ramona School in memory, of Helen Hunt Jackson. This was successfully carried on for a number of years, until 1894, when private efforts were superseded by the government Indian schools, established at Santa Fe and Albuquerque. These institutions have increased in their capacity and improved by experience in their methods, year by year, and the instruction given to the pupils both in the ordinary branches and in industrial education has reached a very high grade. There are also local government and denomination schools for the Indians at a number of points in the state.

NEWSPAPERS

The first printing press is said to have been brought from Mexico in the year 1834, and the Abreu family is credited with that piece of enterprise.

One of the first specimens of printing executed in New Mexico was the proclamation of Governor Perez, greeting his fellow citizens. This is dated June 26, 1835, thirty-four days after his arrival, and at the bottom is the publication note "Imprenta de

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Ramon Abreu, a cargo de Jesus Maria Baea" (printing office of Ramon Abreu in charge of Jesus Maria Baca). Mr. Baca appears to have followed the fortunes of that press for many years. He was with it in Taos, and returned to Santa Fe when the press was restored to the capital.

The manifesto of Governor Martinez in 1844 is inscribed '' Im-prenta particular a cargo de J. M. B." (private printing office in charge of J. M. B.).

The first newspaper printed in New Mexico was El Crepusculo (The Dawn), which was published by Padre Martinez in Taos, commencing November 29, 1835. It was the size of foolscap paper, and but four numbers were issued, as it. failed to pay expenses. Padre Martinez printed a number of small books of instruction while the press remained in Taos.

The first paper published in Santa Fe was La Verdad, shortly after 1840. It was the official organ, and the matter contained in it was mainly of an official character. It was finally discontinued about 1843.On June 28, 1845, as a successor to La Verdad, appeared El Payo de Nuevo Mejico. The printing office was now an official affair, as the inscription on it is " Imprenta del Gobierno a cargo deJ. M. B."

The first newspaper wholly or partly in English was the Santa Fe Republican, which first appeared on September 4, 1847. It was a well printed four page weekly, two pages in English and two in Spanish. Hovey and Davies were the publishers, and G. R. Gibson the editor. The file belonging* to the Historical Society begins with No. 5, October 9, 1847. In December, Mr. Gibson ceased to be editor and thereafter the name of Oliver P. Hovey appears.

In 1849, on December 1st, the New Mexican appeared at Santa Fe, published by Davies and Jones. The present New Mexican commenced publication January 22, 1863, Charles Leib being the founder. Within a year it was sold to Charles P. Clever and by him to W. H. Manderfield. In May, 1864, Mr. Manderfield formed a partnership with Thomas Tucker, and their firm con-

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tinued to publish the New Mexican until 1880, when it was sold to a company representing the A., T. & S. F. Kailroad, Charles W. Green being editor. Through a long career it has always retained a commanding position in New Mexican affairs, and particularly under Colonel Frost was a political power. It became a daily in 1868.

Among the early papers were:

The Mesilla News, issued in 1860.
The Amigo del Pais and the Gaceta, in Santa Fe, in the early "fifties."
El Democrata, at Santa Fe, by Miguel Pino, in 1859.
The New Mexico Press, at Albuquerque, edited by Hezekiah S. Johnson, in 1863.
The Elizabethtown Lantern, in 1868.
The Advertiser, at Las Vegas in 1870, by 0. V. Aoy, who subsequently had papers at Carbonateville and Red River.
The Mail, at Las Vegas, also in 1870. (This subsequently became the Gazette under the Kooglers.)
Mining Life, at Silver City in 1873.
Eco del Rio Grande, at Las Cruces in 1874.

With the corning of the railroad, newspapers sprang up like mushrooms, and many perished almost as rapidly. They did good work, however, in the development of the country.

In 1850 there were but two newspapers in New Mexico, but they had the very substantial circulation of 1,150. In 1870 the number had increased to five, with a circulation of 1,525. In 1880 there were eighteen, with a circulation of 6,355, and in 1885 there were thirty-nine papers, of which eight were dailies, a larger number of the latter than a quarter of a century later.

In those earlier days there were papers published in many places which have none now or are almost forgotten, as Bernalillo, Cimarron, Mesilla, Lake Valley, Georgetown, White Oaks, Tiptonville, Golden, San Pedro, San Lorenzo, Mineral Hill, Cerrillos, Carbonateville, and Elizabethtown.

To attempt a history of all the papers that have arisen within the last twenty-five years would be far beyond the scope of this

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work. With the settlement of the eastern counties the number has greatly increased, until at the opening of statehood, New Mexico has a list of no less than 125 periodicals, of which about 100 are printed in English and twenty-five in Spanish. Corresponding with the increasing number, has been the general improvement in the papers as to size, typography, and the character of the literary work. New Mexico has no reason to fear a comparison with any of its neighbors as to the excellence and high character of its press.