Polynesian. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu], Hawaii) 1844-1864, 1852-05-01
missionaries. have been appointed to receive

- 'S''oo" vi tHc idCt, mat the appoint
ment OF any of this latter class of persons, t.
trusts connected with the public schools, ha.
been objected to, by Roman Catholics the,
ailedging, that such appointments give then
an undue control over the Catholic schools
Sut the objection is not, in my opinion, wei
founded; inasmuch as an appointment to re.
ceIve and dIsburse the school funds is no,
made on any sectaran or even religion.
grounds. but simply on account of fitness
from intelligence, integrity and, above all
of interest in the prosperity of the schools, to
do the duties required. which are often vex-
atious and generally performed gratuitously
! Nor can it be shown that the Catholic schools
have, by such appointments, been deprived
of one political or religious right under the
laws. So far from this being the fact, in
former reports to the Legislature, | have
shown, by official returns. that they have had
rather the advantage, both on the score of
money, and opportunities for instruction, and
therefore have no ground of complaint. The
statute does not exclude persons of any class,
sect, or profession, from such trusts, and in
filling them, | have ever had but one rule
to select the best men for the place under
the circumstances; those who would ccntri-
butte most to the advancement of useful know
ledge among the people, and conseque nty, F,
to the public good, whatever might be their
creed or calling. Where the same fitness
has appeared in persons of different creeds,
who were willing to assume such duties l
have not hesitated to appoint them. If we
look at the example of older, greater and
wiser States, in which religious sects and
sectarian jeaIousies are vastly more nume-
rous than here, we shall see, that clergymen
as readily as any other class, are not only
elected to Offices of trust over the public
schools, but placed at the head of them, by
their respective governments. Such is now
the fact, both in Massachusetts and Kentucky
whose state school organizations are said to
be equal to any in the world.
But in regard to the appointment of Pro-
testant clergymen, missionaries, or ex-ms-
sionaries, to the subordinate Offices in the
Department of Public Instruction, ] may re-
mark. further, in Its Justification, that great
majority of the people, in all the districts, are
Protestant, and | have reason to believe are
well satisfied with such appointments thus
far that our common school system owes its
efficiency and, in fact, its very existence to
the friendly cooperation Of the men referred
and literature, amounting to over 81, 900 600
pages mot including few primary books,
mostly of religious character, published by
the Catholic Mission) are the result of their
Iabors; most Of our native school masters,
and many Of our most worthy and efficient
native officers Of government were brought
up under their instructions, and moreover pass
ing them by, it would be extremely difficult,
if not impossible, 10 find suitable persons, IN
some of the remote districts, well qualified
and willing to discharge duties of little or no
profit, and attended with numerous petty vex-
ations. No man will do it, except as impell-
ed by benevolent motives.
AS we have already seen. the parents IN
terested in each school have right to elect
two trustees to assist in its management,
whose SANCTION is necessary to render valid
the most important acts of the school lnsPec-
tor. This places the balance of power in the
hands of the parents in every case, whether
they be Protestant or Catholic, or whatever
may be their creed, and operates as check
upon the Inspector, should he attempt any
unfairness or partiality on religious grounds
What moroccan be done to secure the rights
Of all
Nor does our past history warrant the be-
lief that an entire separation OF Protestant
missionaries or ex-mssionarIes, from all OH
cial connection with the public schools, would
satisfy all Roman Catholics. When were
their grievances more frequent, grave, and
sci forth with more earnestness, than at a
period when no foreigner whatever had any
official connection with the government
schools when ID. Malo was superintendent
of schools ON Maui and John Ii on Oahu
and where demands were wont to be made at
the caunon's mouth that Catholic inspectors
be placed over government schools called
"Catholic.
SCHOOL BOOKS.
The books in common, almost universal
use in the Protestant public schools, are ele-
mentary reading lessons, vols l, =, ano D.
a spelling book, history of animals, trans
lations of Colburns Arithmetic, WOOD
BRIDGES Geography, and the Old and New
Testament. This last is the great reading
hook in the Protestant schools. Being fur
nisbed at very low price, by the funds OF
tbe American Bible Society, it is within the
reach of the poorest children in all parts OF
the islands. Its influence is, of course, wide
spread, and powerful for good, over the young
minds ne the nation. In the more advanced
public schools, works on the following SUD
iects are found in use, Algebra, Geometry,
Trie onometry, Surveying. Moral Philosophy
Natural Theology, Church history, and
var;etv of other works--all issued, from time
70 time. from the American Mission Press,
and amounting in all to about ~ dinerent
works.
In the Catholic schools are touno some
few of the above works, especially nose on
Arithmetic, but mostly small elementary re-
lipious books on doctrinal SUBJECTS In some
Of them. the New Testament IS IN use.
The government assumes no con'ro' over
the hooks. but only ofthe subjects taught IN
the public schools, and these OF purely
literary and scientific character.
One Of the greatest wants now in our pup.
lie schools. is a greater variety OF tne n'os'