512 UNITED STATES: — NEW MEXICO
The prevailing form of religion is Roman Catholic, but various Protes- tant bodies have schools and churches within the State. Religious instruction in public schools is prohibited by law, but boards of directors may open school-houses for the use of religious societies, &c., at times outside the regular school hours.
Elementary education is free, and all children between 7 and 14 years of age are compelled to attend school. The use of the English language is enforced in schools. There are (1912) public elementary schools in the State with 60,000 enrolled pupils, and 1,600 teachers ; and 30 public high schools with 75 teachers and 1,600 pupils. Besides, there are 34 Indian schools with 2,500 pupils, and 110 teach'-rs (maintained by the Federal Government). Three public normal schools have 35 teachers and about 800 students. For special and higher instruction there are various institutions ; a College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts, with 42 professors and 372 students, a School of Mines, with 8 professors and 34 students, a Military Institute, an Institute for the Deaf and Dumb, an Orphans' School, and a Reform School. At Albuquerque is the University of New Mexico, founded in 1889 ; it has 22 professors and 137 students. The State schools are maintained by funds assigned by the State Government, and by the proceeds of the school tax levied by the commissioners of each county, municipality ajid district.
Charity. — Within the State are public and semi-public institutions lor charitable purposes, the chief of which aie 24 hospitals, an asylum for imbeciles, a sanatorium, an orphanage, an institution for the blind and the deaf and dumb, and a relief society. There is not a poor-house in New Mexico.
Finance, Production, &C.— For the year ending May 31, 1912, the revenue and expenditure were as follows : —
Dollars
Balance, June 1, 1911 525,275
Keceipts for year ...... 918,458
Total 1,443,733
Disbursements for year ..... 937,479
Balance, June 1, 1912 . . 506,254
Territorial Debt : —
June 1, 1910, debt ...... 975,000
Paid during year 27,000
Debt, June 1, 1912 ...... 948,000
The assessed value of property subject to Tax for the year 1911 was 64,506,560 dollars. Assessments being on basis of 20% of actual valuation.
The National Guard of the State contains 721 enlisted men and 36 officers ; the unorganised militia available is estimated at 55,000. In the State are 8 military reservations with a total area of about 187,400 acres. Battery target range in Capitan mountains 6,687*95 acres.
New Mexico produces cereals, vegetables, fruit, and cotton. Irrigation, which is indispensable over wide tracks of fertile country, is extending. In 1900 the irrigated area covered 203,893 acres, exclusive of lands in Indian reserves. lu 1911 the irrigated area had reached 750,000. Proposed
