The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1888-12-26
The Public Schools and Roman '
Catholics.

From time to time an alarm is raised
in respect to the alleged hostility of
Roman Catholics to American institu-
tons. AT present, in some localities,
the cry is heard that our public schools
are in danger, and active measures are
being taken to protect them against the
dreaded Vaccinations OF the Roman
Catholic church. 1t is thought that
parocbial schools are increasing so fast
that soon there will be no children
from Catholic families in attendance
on the public schools. 1t is said that
considerable number of teachers in
the common schools are Catholics who
have been educated in normal schools,
and that every year the number is
larger. 1t is argued that the Catholic
clergy have definite plans either to get
possession of our system of public ed
ucation or to withdraw all the children
of their church from the common
schools, or to do both. 1t is
with respect to the growth of parochial
schools that apprehension is most Sc
rlously felt In almost every city large
buildings have already been erected,
which are a constant reminder to every
passer-by of the policy of the Catholic
church concerning the education of its
children. That church makes no secret
of its intention to provide for the
education of all children under its
care. We believe, however.
that the occasion of apprehension is
not, at present, as serious as many
have supposed. There are certain
facts which show that there is a prac-
teal limit to the growth of the parochial
system of education. 1t is one thing
to enact decree and quite another
thing to enforce it. Where there are
not enough school buildings for Cath
olic children, and where there are none
at all, the decree can not go into gen
eral effect. In several communities
and villages there are al present scarcely
any parochial schools, nor any prospect
that they will be established. The
money required for adequate accom-
mOdations must be provided by each
locality for itself, and for such pur-.
pose even the Catholic clergy find it
difficult or impossible to secure the
necessary amount. Even in cities, and
in those cities where Irish Catholics
are most numerous and prosperous,
and where several buildings have been
erected, the accommodations are by no
means adequate. Without
money school-buildings can not be pro-
vided. Not even ecclesiastical DEGREES
and Jealous priests can create school
houses by magic. Irish Cath
olics in the United States do not ac-
cumulate an abundance of this worlds
goods. Nearly all of them work for
days wages. After their families are
provided for and contributions are made
for the support of the church, nothing
is left. Willing or unwilling, they are
positively unable to give any more.
Those Catholics who have little
property are not eager to contribute
toward an object for the support of
which they are already taxed. Human
nature remains strong enough in an
intelligent Irishman to make him I'M
willing to pay twice for the same
thing. Another, and the
principal, reason which limits the sue
cess of parochial education, is the SUI
periority of public schools. Testimony
is almost unanimous at this point.
Teachers in grammar and high schools
say that parents are free to express
the hope that their children will not be
transferred to the parish school, and to
express their regret when it is actually
done. They are well aware where the
best education is given. = Another
reason which should not be overlooked
is the fact that many of the younger
men and women in the Catholic church
are graduates of public schools, in
which they therefore have some degree
of pride. BY preference they would
have their children educated in the
same schools. The facts we have
stated give a clear indication concern
ing the policy to be pursued in the in
terest of public schools. The principal
thing is to maintain the schools at the
highest practicable standard of excel
lence. Those who so improve
instruction in schools that the knowl-
edge of graduates is directly available
for the practicable business of life are
doing better service for the common