Polynesian., 1854-06-17

ne COInnlttce on Education lSRSe 10 report
as follows upon the petition of sGldEy inhabitants
of Honolulu and others, praying that the Legsla-
tuTe will not approve OF the suggestion contained
in the annual report Of the Minister of Public In
stTuction to the effect that the time has arrived
when it will be advisable to organize the free
schools according 10 the territorial limits the
statute provides So many us will afford the
means of elementary instruction TO all the children
without any regard to any religious sect whatever.
The approval Of the Legislature is not needed
to enable the Minister to organize the schools ac
cordirg to the above suggestion. In the second
act Aamehame ILL.,, part Nv. Chap. 3, Sec. =, it
is enacted Ih,,: ''The Minister Of Public In
structiOn shall recommend to His Majesty in Priyy
CouUcil for appointment general superintendent
of schools of ,1od morals in each of the dis
trct in the las preceding section specified, who
may Uith the appreciation OF said Minister appoint
proper sHb-age'lls under them fer the minor dvi
sions into which the said general Superintendent
with the appreciation of the ASsister of Public In
struction, are hereby authorized to arrange such
DISTRICTS either by the observance of geographical
lines, otherwise as may appear to them most ex-
pedient: providing always, that IN arranging said
districts, and in appointing such sub-agentS, the
Minister of Public instruction shall see that the
wishes, opinions and convenience Ot a major part
in number Of the parents, adopters and gusrdIans
of children interested IN the 1chool are consulted
so far a due regard 20 economy and proprety
will allow and for that purpose it shall be his
duty to receive and consider the petitions al
dressed to him through his general SrPerin-
tendents."
In accordance with the above law the Minister
of Public Instruction authorized the present Orga-
nzaiion Of the schools, which allows to each Of the
two denominations of Cetbalcs and Protestants,
separate school maintenance whenever fifteen
scholars could be collected.
In accordance with the same law, the Minister
now proposes u new organization, which, instead
of allowing separate school maintenance 10 each
denomination provides for the sub division Of the
districts IL accordance with territorial limits and
the establishment of mixed schools frem which all
sectarian instruction shall be carefully excluded.
While the law remains unchanged the LegiSia-
ture has right TO interfere with the Minister n
his action under It.
The question to be answered is, therefore,
ought the Legislature TO enact statute requiring
the Minister to continue the present system of or
ganizing the schools, and to extend that system To
meet the claims Of the Mormoas, and Of each new
sect that may spring up in the land: Your Com
mittee think not. They would allow the Minister
of Public instruction proper discretion in regard
to the continuance of the schools existing,
according to their present mode OF organization
but they would at the time distinctly declare
their opinion that the laws ought not TO recognize
am sectarian divisions in the public schools, and
they would respectfully advise that in future such
distinctions should not be regarded in any new
organization Of the free schools that circumstances
may make expedient.
The object for which Government schools were
established was the instruction of the people in
those branches Of education that shall fit them to
understand the construction and laws of the land,
and to bear their share in the administration u!
Government, well as 10 attain success IN life.
The very existence Of u Constitutional Govern
ment depends upon the enlightenment OF the peo-
pie. 1t Is right therefore, that the whole nation
= A.
ton, quite much as that 1t should be taxed TO
furnish the means of physical defence. We have
more to fear from the ignorance of our own people
than from the violence of Strangers
It is right that the Government should prescribe
the mode in which the schools shall be conducted.
though it might not adopt course oppressive to
the conscience of any. Il is right, farther, that
the Government should compel the attendance in
the schools, OF all children whose parents do not
furnish the means of education elsewhere.
This Government and people are poor. IL -
evident that with their best exertions they cannS
furnish the most desirable means OF education TO
all. They must make the best possible use of the
funds at their disposal. To scatter these among
many small schools would be 20 squander them.
for the expenses Of sustaining small school and
large one are about the same. Yet the funds must
be thus scattered, if recognize the right Of sect
to separate school maintenance.
Il is said By the petitioners that the eOnsciences
OF parents are oppressed oY requiring tnei 70 send
their children schools where their peculiar rcli
rious views are not taught, and that such oppres-
son Is in violation of Article End, OF the COnsttu
ton granted BY the King on the 18th Of June,
1852 That article declares that q All men are
free to worship God according TO the dictates OF
their own consciences, bat this sacred privilege
hereby secured, shall not be 50 constituted as to
Justify acts Of licentiousness or practices ncon-
sistent with the peace and safety OF the Kingdom
The letter of tins article 2hd does not surely a2
ply here for according to the showing of the
compiainants the worship Of God does no; enter AZ
slI into the scope Of the proposed school. Grant
ing however, the general principle that the la~
ought not to opPress the cOusciences OF any, the
Committee are yet Of opinion that no conscience
would be oppressed in this matteT If the schools
were really insectarian.
The system propose1 does not prohibit pareIts