New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-08-02
THE CONTROVERSY REVIEWED.

n ne IClt tldt SUCn unless
would work greater mischief to them. The Department
OF Education should, he thought be conducted with
entire freedom from political sectaran eonsdera-
tone and great should be exercised to avoid so
far possible the appearance Of prescription,
especially large city like this where the population
Is varied and so many different elements con-
stanty olamorng for recognition. The public schools
had established for the IN rucon OF children OF all
classes races, aud creeds and intended to afford
them advantages OF Improvement not only for their
sakcs but also for the benefit OF the whole community
by rescung many from ignorance and vice, and making
them istegent and useful citizens Hence it very
Important that everything OF sectional nature should
be sudousy kept Of the of the schools
In order that people of every nationality and belief
might feel common interest in them, and send their
children freely to them. This could be best accom-
pished, he believed, by according as equitable a
representation possible In tie government OF
the department TO the various elements found in
the eity's populations thus each while working for
the general good Of ALL would exercise certain amount
Of influence in behalf Of its peculiar principles
which would tend prevent unfair discrimination, even
BY oversight In against either. Were this not
done trouble very likely to ensue, as One-sided
authorities were apt to do things from bias or through
Dadvertence, which might prove offensive 10 larger
number Of people, and greatly weaken their support Of
the schools besides, nothing Of this sort should
happen particular class felt that it entitled TO
the direction Of the schools TO which sent Its
cblldreD, ana toward tine support OI WHICH IL phu
taxes, and very much inclined 10 lose interest in
them if sighted or ignored. To all these claims Mr..
Wood believed consideration should be paid as it
was desirable that the of the public schools
should be as satisfactory possible TO people Of every
class though he would attention whatever to the
clamors of demagogues, and those who were anxious to
gain power in themsOnly TO subserye their own selfish
purposes The discomfort present prevailing among
the Roman Catholics, he thought, could
have been prevented in large measure
had more care been exercised in making the
appointments OF school officers last Spring when
the Department Of Education was organized, as the
number taken from this class Of citizens very small
IN proportion TO its size and the attendance Of its chill
dren IN the schools Of the City. While he thus felt that
there good grounds for the dissatisfaction, he de-
pored its existence very much, as 1t might lead II I'M
checked to the removal Of many Roman Catholic chill
dren from the public schools by their parents and the
sending Of them TO those OF the church. which he be-
eved would not only result ipjuriOusly 10 the public
schools but would also be detrimental TO the children
themselves he did not consider the instruction gwen
10 deDOminaonal Schools whether Roman Catholic or
Protestant beneficial the whole as that furnished
IN those which were purely secular On both these
accounts then the growth Of the parochia school system
was 10 be deprecated, and he held that all that was
proper ought TO be done by the public school authorities
70 avoid furtherng it by taking such action toward
allaying this feeling may be in their power and be
consistent with the promotion Of the highest interests
of the Department. The establishment OF church
schools appeared 10 be perfectly legitimate, and
had been practiced by many Protestant denom-
nations both this city and elsewhere, and 1t was
foolish 70 complain of parents had right TO send
their children where they pleased. This, he believed
however could be greatly retarded. as many If not
most Roman Catholics preferred the public schools TO
those OF church. and by showing simple reasonable
regard for their feeling in certain matters the
support OF these could be retained TO the Depart
Inent Of Education. But II narrow, intolerant
policy shoud be pursued they would naturally
become incensed and withdraw their Children,
for which they could hardly be blamed.
Mr. Wood felt though that this question fought TO be
considered not merely or chiefly in regard 70 its effect
upon the Roman Catholics or much through
their discomfort upon the public schQos and especially
should not be made some Over-zealous persons had
attempted issue between Professionalism and Catho-
cs II stood higher ground than that, and involved
besides the harmonious working OF all sectsin common
cause in which none Of the differences which divided
them on other matters could should have any place
whatever the assertion OF principle which was funda-
mental in republican governments Intolerance was not
TO be defended any account and whether exercised
toward Roman Catholics Jews or people OF any other
religion ought to be much condemned by Protestants
o. Mthey themselves the direct sufferers IRON IL
STRICTLY SECULAR EDUCATION.
Another well known gentleman. who was formerly
President Of the Board Of Education for several years.
on being called on said taat he regarded TINS STATE OF
affairs as very unfortunate and felt that religious
controversy concerning the public SCHOOLS was tnihg
which should avoided with exceeding careiuiness
Hence he would keep the management OF the Depart
mept Of Education entirely free from all sectaran In
huences and shun even the appearance OF them 30
far as possible, making the schools strictly secular
that they may be agreeable 70 persons OF
eyery creed Religious differences were known 10 De
sources OF greater and more bitter contention than
almost anything else. and as they bore no relation
whatever questions ofpubcchool policy the schoos
being children OF all races and creeds alke
they should be sudiousy ignored. Any other course
not only unjust but dangerous also as shown by the
present discomfort OF the Roman Catholics and the
threatened withdrawal not receiving that proportion
OF the appointments OF school officers TO which they
claim that they entitled. Besides, spirit OF pro
eerpton might with much be exercised by one
denomination against another between people OF tRo
different races or religions, aud such was really the
tendency Of it, for time II gradually grew more and
more BARROW and iutOlersnt Til finally it ptted seets
against each other bitter feuds. has been the case
frequently in the past The disastrous effect OF this can
readily be imagined Ge hoped however that snch In
nuences would not be permitted to hold sway In the
Department that the entire course OF the Board OF
Education that Of the trustees. would DO marked by
the greatest tolerance varying opinions IN religion 40
An other things. andtha all parties who had the inter
public education really at heart might unite cor
daily in their support. Ir-
NO PROSECUTION INTENDED. ID
Commissioner Rufus O. Besrdslee had beard OF TINS
tsaneetion time and regretted IL greatly He
eonsidered a war Of religion IN the public schools a
thing be deeply deplOred and he had endeayQed as
far vas able AVOID giving any for inciting
onf Ho realized that the representation OF Roman
Catholics among the school officers dspropOrtion-
aiely small and he felt that only natural HAT
they should complain OF It, IN me appointment u rns
Ices BIZ the Board Of Edpcstiop. however, be Was