The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-04-21
PUBLIC SCHOOL ABUSES.
Intolerance and Fanaticism in
- -
~ Jersey City.
A Catholic Boy Expelled Because He Refused to
Sing Hymn-Interviews with the Boy,
His Father His Teacher and School
Commissioner Norton-'It il
Wrong to 60 to Catho-
lie Sunday School"


Lie Sunday school,"
On Jersey City Heights and the vicinity some ex-
element and much Indignation prevail in con-
sequence OF OF rare bigotry and intolerance,
the details OF (which have just come to light The
fact that this involves public institution, for
the support Of which all sects are taxed which
was established to meet the wants Of all and not
for the bene6t Of any particular creed, raises the
occurrence to the level OF serious grievance.
Two weeks ago boy named Michael Whelan,
ten years old, son Of bricklayer residing in Laid
law avenue, Jersey City, was expelled
from Public School No. 9 by Mr.. Wake
man, the Principal, because the boy re-
fused to join in singing q hymn. The
father brought the boy back to the school. but
the Principal referred to refused to take him back
unless the boy would in future join in the same ex-
ercises as the other children. Even on this condi-
tion II agreed to, the boy would not be admitted
without letter from one Of the members OF the
Board of Education. The father then complained
to Mr.. Norton, member OF the Board who brought
the matter up In meeting, and after heated de-
bate, IN which Messrs Pangborn and Eye justified
the proceeding, the case was referred to the super
intendent Mr. Dickinson, for investigation. The
latter gentleman declared at the meeting
was most outrageous and unjustinable. The read
ing OF the Bible before all sects was grievance in
the eyes OF Catholics and particularly ofJews, but
to be compelled to sing hymns prepared and COM
piled by enemies OF the Catholic Church was still
greater grievance. In order that the public may
be able to form correct judgment on the case .
representative Of the HERALD called on the boy.
his father, Mr.. Norton and Mr.. wakeman, and
their statements are here given. frF s#t
WHAT THE BOYS FATHER SAYS.
David Whelan, father Of the boy who was ex-
PEELED, is man of more than average intelligence,
and, although Catholic, holds very liberal views
on the subject OF religious differences. He was
seated in his house. with his wife and two children,
also attended No. public school till this case
and my family, OF course, are Catholics; sent this
boy and the girl there to the public school because
than at the parish Schools poor man can't afYord
to have his children spend several years IN learning
reading, writing and arithmetlc;I have been in
ing their progress at school. ana in this way /
learned Of the EFFORTS that were being made to
frequently heard the boy upbraid his sister while
sitting at meals ana studying their lessons at the
SUNG THE PROTESTANT HYMNS;
It appeared then to me that the girl had submitted
without murmur to the religious exercises, and
learn hymns, but to read, write and become versed
In arithmetic; the boy complained to me that his
refused to bow his head at the Lords Prayer;
felt mortified at this, yet did not demonstrate, be-
cause thought such conduct on The part OF o
and told him that ' 'n' Wy = '''' '''' A'A'
MR. wAKEMAN SENT HIM HOME
because he refused to sing hymn; ] went with
the boy to Mr.. wakeman and appealed to his sense
OF fair play; asked him to reject whether II
ne make he II ne
he answered that he certainly would not like it;
remarked thatit was great hardship that children
should be compelled to join In exercises, vocal or
otherwise, OF sectaran character contrary to the
wishes Of their parents; MIR. Wakcman refused to
one Of the Commissioners or from the Superin-
tcndent; then complained to Mr.: Norton, who
brought the natter sefrre the Board think It Is
port Of that school, and yet cannot send my chfl
dren there without having their religion tempered
tending that school who are
AFRAID TO SAY THEY ARE CATHOLICS.
the school is in other respects good one, for my
children have got along very well there; will not
send them back until Ihave guarantee that they
cses whatever; will attend to their religious in
struction myself here In the house and see they at
THE BOYS STATEMENT.
The two children and their mother listened very
attentivcly to the father VINO, when he concluded,
called on the boy TO tell what he knew about the
case. In reply to numerous questions he repeated
in substance what his father stated and added
lis statement is gwen re7'odtsI Il had 70 be In
ing, for il one comes in after the singing he viii be
kept in after school and whipped; refused to
and the teacher, Miss Burt, came ever and
GuzzLED NE AND STRUCK MY HEAD
the HYMNS she used 10 send me out to get me
whipped, but sometimes Mr.. Wakeman would let
me go without whipping; one day he came over to
me when he saw me standing and asked me what
was out for; / told him because refused to sing
hymn as my father would not allow me; he then
told me to go home and not come back till made
up my mind to sing like the other boys; don't re-
member any OF the hymns except few words here
the rverff another was,
"RIDE on, JESUS, RIDE oN.r
QIere the father interposed and told the boy not
to repeat that again. as 1t was to his mind sheer
blasphemy. 1t is probable that the boys version
was incorrect, but 1t Is very remarkable as show
ing the Impression left on his mlnd.)
The boy resuned-I was told by the teacher
would be put down In the primary department II
a,s mot sing as aa not IKE to BE- put below
l came home; Mike Moore and another boy ran
away from the school rather than stay for the sing
The sister added her quota OF testimony as fol-
lows-One day went out while the singing was
going on; my. teacher Miss Brown, came and
asked me why went out; told her it was be-
cause did not want to remain In during the sing
during the singing afterwards.
STATEMENT OF THE PRINCIPAL.
Mt. WaKcman's explanation OF the case Is briefly
stantly and complained that the boy refused 70
sing the hymn or to bow his head at the Lords
Irayer; Wnen ne came 10 ncr SCHOOL hist he re-
fused to say the Lsrd's Prayer; told the
teacher not to mind the matter; she said the
boy was giving. good deal OF trouble; at last
] called him and told him 10 go home; did not
dismiss nor even suspend him !; consider there is
q difference between sending him home and ex-
pelling him; admit refused to take him back
unless he brought letter from one Of the members
OF the Board; the refusal Of child to join In the
religious exercises regard as violation Of dis
cipline that cannot be tolerated cannot under
stand what harm 1t could do a child to bow the
head at the Lords Prayer or to sing hymn the
rr11s yxnr fpQ MI mt hV m m " no
and execute them as find them; the verse that
the boy refused to sing was not hymn, but be.
longed to collection compiled for the use Of
schools; 1t ran as follows:-" It's the heart makes
the home.n