Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-11-05
'.FaOt. are stubborn Things

And 1t seems TO US that we should keep
these facts before the people, when they re-
late to the vital, living issues Of the day
No subject is more vital to the public veal
than the prosperity aud perpetuity Of our
common schools. Any facts, therefore, that
tend to injure or undermine this system Of free
and unbiased education for the children and
youth who are soon 10 become American citi-
gems, should be exposed, aud the wrong re-
buked, that the pcOplemay see the danger and
prepare for il.
We will now state our facts. Just oppo-
site the city Of St Louis on the east bank Of
the great river, there is pOpulous environ
which is called East St Louis. This bor-
ough has public school board whose recent
action we are about TO criticise.
The Romanists in that neighbOrhood owned
an old wooden church building which, when
new, cost them about $4,000. This building
the school board bought for school purposes,
paying the round sum Of $4,000. With
this money the Catholics proceeded to build
new and fine church, of at one side Of the
town. The school building already pur-
chased was ample for all school purposes,
and yet, the school board hired the basement
Of this new church, at an expense Of 81 200
per year, for school-room. Next, they
allowed the scholars thoir choice to remain
in the old building or go to the new room in
the church The result was, nearly all that
attend at the church are Of Catholic families
The teachers are all Catholics and each
morning march their school in procession to
mass, or whatever their worship may be.
| So then, we have here a Roman Catholic
school, taught by Roman Catholic teachers
This is all right We end no fault with the
fact that any class Of Christians who desire
to do so, establish schools for the education
of their own children. But the facts are mol
all in yet. This school is supported by the
public school funds and the twelve hundred
dollars rent paid annually for the use Of the
church for school purposes is also public
money!
How is this possible7 And how was il
done, many have inquired, and among th'
inquirers is the editor of the Catholic Ad-
vOcate. We give his letter of inquiry an(
the answer which will explain
Having heard. in MI unreliable way. tina.
the school trustees of East st Louis hat
granted to the Catholic parochial schoO
their pro rata share of the school fund, w
were naturally gladdened, but doubted tn
truth of the report. Being unwilling to max
the Advocate the vehicle Of unproven news
we wrote to Very Rev =. j. 0'lialloran, V
f., inquiring into the truth or falacy of tn
report, and asking for information rs to tn
means that were adopted to procure so happ
a result. Tho following letter was receives
in reply:
EAST ST LOUIS, Ill, Aug 4, 1875.
Editor Catholic Advocate Yours of tn
28th ult was received. but being absent from
home, could not answer you ere this. Tn
scrap of news mailing from East st. Louis
true. The board of education permits US t
select our own teachers, and they ar
approved of by the board according to law
Catechsm is taught outside Of school hour
In the school rooms. You seem anxious
know how it comes that our schools are SUP
ported 10y the public funds. Well, it is thi
wise: The majority of our population ar
Catholics. and they elect Catholic directors
This is the key that solves the grant.
You may make any comment you please
simply give the facts as required
Yours very respectfully,
p. j. O'HALLoRAN, V. L.
Catholic Advocate.
Now here is another fact more startlin
than any other, in this connection. Th
new constitution Of the state Of Illinois has
section forbidding one cent Of the publ
money to be paid, directly or indirectly, to an
sectarian school whatever. Aud the schot
board of East St Louis when they entcrc
upon their Office swore solemnly that the
would administer their trust according to tn
col stitution and laws Of the state
, And what has been done here, let us we
, understand, will be done elsewhere an
everywhere, in our country, when the pow
to do so is gained.