The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1875-03-28
Public Schools In New York.

From the New York Herald OF the -oen
inst, we learn that Vicar General Qaln OF
the Diocese of New York, with many
Others, has petitioned the Board of Educa-
ton of the city of New York to have the
narocbial schools admitted to the benefits
of the public school system. They propose |
subjecting these schools to the course OF
instruction, mode of discipline and general
management OF the public school system,
in order 10 participate in the fund devoted
to public education.
The Board has appointed a committee to
confer with them on the subject. but as
vet no definite proposition has been made
nv either side THE gravest objection t"
the proposition is based on the lack OF
money. New York is like New Orleans ana
most other places 10 this, that the heavy
school tax generally laid is utterly insult
fcient to educate all or even half of the
children entitled to its advantages. 10
New Orleans, for instance, the school tax
wonld have TO be more than twice what 1t
ia now if all tue children of the city atten-
ded the public schools.
1t is only by 30 manipulating the manage
ment that half the comm unity cannot seno
their children, that the school money ia made
to hold out for the other half. Nothing more
clearly than this shows the stupidity OF
the system. 1t is a plan which, if carried
out bona .fde, would necessarily break
down. 1t pretends to provide for the
education of all f; yet if all applied for its
aid, it would be impossible TO raise the
money to carry it out. Every hope OF its
partial success is based upon the anticipa'
f ton of its partial failure.
, 1t appears, however, that another ohjec
, ton will be urged, in New York, agains
the proposition of Reverend Father Qain
t 1t is this, that Religious or Denominations
] schools are prohibited by law from receiv
ing any of the school fund. Are parochia
schools necessarily such. On prev1ou
occasion a committee made majority re
mort that a school was not included !
this prohibition in which nothing of relig
. ion was taught during the reguiatio
J. hours, no matter what was taught after
:, wards or before. According to their di:
"a tinction, a parochial school can be place
# on the non religious footing during certal
h hours, by simply devotins the Whole of thu
time to secular studies.
But on the occasion referred to tt
minority report took the ground that
,e school was religious no matter how strict
r secular in it's studies, if under religion
v influence during those studies.
n Where fair play is intended, this mino
ia ity idea will not have much influence.
lie correct, every decent school is religion
to for wherever the teacher is controlled
as religious principles, his class will necessa
tn feel the influence Of his ideas. If par
lie chial schools must be excluded simply b
u cause they have Catholic teachers, then {
at Catholic teachers mast be expelled from t.
he public schools, and, not only they, but {
no Protestant teachers likewise. Only blair
en- Atheists can be retained.
ii The practical question arises; why CA
og not proposition be made here similar
n that above referred to. 1t is favorably r
ce ceived in New York it has been actual
ey adopted in Savannah ; is New Orlea
a more bigoted than those placesf
n0 aye Old Folks Concert" for the Little Sisters
the Poor.
oh
-. On the fifth page of our present issue will