The St. Cloud journal. [volume] (St. Cloud, Minn.) 1866-1876, 1876-02-10
SCHOOL DISTRICT no. ONE.
A Statement from ito rrustees.
ST. CLOUD, MIMI, Feb. 9Th, 1876.

Va NAVOOS 4AANNs, = eOs osSA1 Ao'v'
To tie Editor Of tie s.. Cloud Journal.
S1R.-The undersigned are Trustees Of
school district No. one in St. Cloud, and ~
such have The general supervision and
management Of the school of that district.
We have read the letter over the signatures
of N. Obermiller and J. w. Robertson,
published: in your issue of February Sd inst.
and We say without hesitation and of our
own knowledge that the statements there
in contained are false in every important
particular. No attempt has been made At
any time aimee the organization of this
School by Priest or any one connected
with the Catholic Church to impart relig-
ious instructions during school hours, DOR
has the Priest interfered in any manner
with the conduct ofthis school. The board
of Trustees directed that ak hours should
be devoted to the usual school exercises,
except on Tue.days and Frid.ys, when the
school day should consist Of but five hours,
and the Teachers in charge of tho school
have 10 conducted the same. This We
have understood to b the time usually
taught and particularly 10 At the Union
School Of this city. If we are wrong in
30 directing the tenure of school hours, the
responsibility is ours and We will be glad
to be set right.
After tho school hours on Tuesdays and
Fridays, when school had been dismissed,
it has been the costum of the Priest of tho
Parish to impsrt religious instruction to
such children ~ desired to remain. For
that purpose our consent was asked and it
was given and We should have done tho
same if it had been asked Of us on the part
of any religious denomination of the dir.
trict. In regard to school books We would
state that bill was about to pass our leeis-
lature providing fora uniform system of
school books and it was thought advisable
on the part Of the board to use the books
We had until the change took place, when
We would Immediately confirm with the
law. Az to there being any such book in
troduced in our school, as that lefe1ed to
in the letter Of Obezmiller aud Robertson
We pronounce mistake. We state further
that we are informed and believe that nei-
Their Mr.. Robertson or Obermiller ever
visited this school during school hours and
We think they have drawn largely on their
Imagination for the statements they have
made. That the undersigned are Catholic,
We do not deny nor Do We believe the pub
lie very much interested in what We may
happen to believe, provided We faithfully
perform our duties ~ Trustees Of the
school district. This We have endeavored
10 do and We are sorry to notice dispoai-
ton on your part, Mr.. Editor, to lend
yourself to the dissemination Of untruth.
As to your comments upon the letter in
question, We have this to Gay that you man
ifest much partisan spirit and seem to enjoy
tho occasion a. aaording you an opportu-
nifty for saying severe things against the
Catholic Church. We do not regard this As
= proper occasion for religious controversy
and we decline that part of tho question in
advance. All We have to say in conolu-
sion is this, that We are proceeding in the
line of our official duties under the law ~
We understand them. We know neither
Protestant or Catholic in this connection
but shall Try to serve all alike. Should
the Presbyterian clergyman of this city de-
sire to instruct any of the pupils Of this
school after school hours and that desire
should be reciprocal on the part of any of
the scholars, We offer him the Inequalities
of the school building for that purpose.
We subscribe ourselves very respectfully
yours,
ROBERT MoCKENHAUPT, Secy.
F. HERBERaER, Director.
p. gotten, Treasurer.