The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1885-06-25
BIGOTRY INTENSIFIED.


Cresco, hired Mrs. Finn, Of DEBORAH,
to teach department in the school.
Indignation at this action run high
among intolerant Protestants chief
~ those OF the methodist denomina-
ton, whose meek and charitable
Minister assaulted q prominent men,
Der OF the board within the hearing
OF others for daring to hire q Cath
Ollie teacher. Other members Of
this flock Of liberal christians were
less outspoken and aggressive in
their criticisms than Rev. Ballou,
yet the relative standing existing
between Pastor and people was
amply illustrated by the anathemas'
and expressions Of '.holy horror
showered on the board by this "pi-
Gus" crowd OF nineteeth century
worshipers.
1t was not denied that the lady
was highly qualified for any place
that might be assigned her in the
school, carrying as she did the best
recommendations from Dubuque
DEBORAH and other places where she,
had served. She stood ready and
did undergo the most searching
examination that The law required,
administered by an .unfriendly SUI
perintendent, bounded on by the
most contemplate prejudice ever
displayed in any community. could
impose upon her. Nor was it denied
for twenty years Catholics had been
paying about one-sixth the expense
OF maintaining the school, that
during this long string Of years an
average Of about seven teachers
had been employed, and yet this
was the first instance where en-
ployment was given to a Catholic
teacher for single hour.
sounded and word passed along the
lines that the men engaged in such
nefarious practices as the board had
been, must pay the penalty as soon
rs their terms expire. True to
instinct those whose terms expired
in March were retired, and John
Farnsworth, AMI John Caward put
in their places.
Perhaps the fairest concession ]
can make these men, is to admit
that they will represent FAITHFULLY
the intolerant spiri1 that placed
them in power. All doubt on this
score is removed by the recent
action Of the board in discharging
Mrs. Finn. Let it be understood
that removals are not made without
cause, and the reason assigned in
this case, that she did not give the
best OF satisfaction" is as great a
libel on the truth as the bigotry OF
those making it is curse, and a
blight on the community in which
they live. Compare this sniveling
course with the statement made by
Mr.. Weld,within two weeks, that
Mrs. Finn made an excellent teach
cr' and see how inexcuscablc their
action becomes. But the gentlemen
above named were specially selected
because of their fitness to do a job
that required gall, and judging them
by their record they have earned
their spurs, and are entitled to wear
them. Mrs. Finn can go to Lawler
Waucoma, Clermont and other
places where Catholics are in a
majority on school boards, and find q
majority OF the teachers employed
by them non catholics. It will
afford her IN excellent opportunity
of contrasting the liberal policy Of
the catholic majority in those
places with that OF the protestant
majority in Cresco, where the rights
OF religious liberty guaranteed us by
the constitution OF the United States
are set at defiance.
But the most sneaking feature Of
this disreputable job is the attempt
to crawl out of it by alleging incom.
potency. In this, the board only ado
insult to injury. Mrs. Finn wa.
discharged for the crime OF being {
Catholic, :.and by men who have livee
and prospered on Catholic custom
and good will for many years. /
this is u sample Of the gratitud,
kept in stock at the methods
church the sooner tho liberal mem
bers OF all denominations know
the better. AS it is quite likely
shall have more to say regarding
this matter, I will refrain from
. further comment ut present.
; However, il it should become nee
assary, will throw more light o.
!, tho nepotism and cxclusivenes
which dominate in the management
: OF our school. CATHoLICUS.