The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-05-28
Wisconsin Catholics Vigorously Pro-
test Against the Provisions of
the Bennett Law.
They Deny the Right Of the
State to Interfere With
the Family.
Tho Church Should Take Part In Politics
When Its Province Is Invaded
Other Meetings.

AaVASO, Va oVs AOulbS 6dAO tu0 DeUueCb law pre-
sented political question that Catholics
could not ignore, because it directly af-
fected the welfare of their institutions.
Bishop Flack in his address referred to the
Bennett law. He upheld the rights of the
church to go into politics when its interests
were attacked. He was followed by Bishop
katzer, of Green Bay, who attacked the
Bennett law in the bitterest manner. He
said the law practically denied the right of
a child to obey its parents by putting it's
claims before the claims of the
parents of tho child. Friends of the
law, he said, tell us that child has
rights which the state must see accorded it.
But parents have more interest in the child
tn than the state. The governor and his "lit.
by their parents if the state will let them
alone. As the bishop proceeded he warmed
to his subject and fairly brought his hear
ers to their feet by the intensity of his man
ner. He became angry, pathetic, sarcastic
by turns. The matter of teaching English.
they tell US, is what we are fighting, he ex-
claimed. But this is not so. English is
now taught in our schools, but if the state
has right to tell us we must teach Eng
lish, 1t will soon be telling us what we
shall eat and what shall be on the table for
family dinner. They are all of class.
these laws. whether in Wisconsin, Illi-
nois or Massachusetts. They attempt
rights. Carried out to their logical conclu
sions. they would be very dangerous to
church and society. "This Bennett law"
the bishop continued, twas conceived in
the minds of free-thinkers, and those op-
posed to the Catholic church and her
schools" He was told recently. he said, by
a Mason that the Bennett law was first sug-
gested by the Masons. The man said: II
could prove it to you, if I did not put SO
high value on my head, that the Bennett
law was first agitated in the grand lodge of
Masons in the state of Wisconsin, The
applause which followed this statement
was deafening and the bishop had to stand
fully half minute before he could continue.
In closing he urged his hearers to oppose
all measures like the Bennett law to the
best of their ability and to stand firmly by
the church.
At the afternoon session the following
resolutions were unanimously adopted:
In view of the attacks upon the most sa-
cred rights of parents, which have recently
been begun by nativists and adherents of
paternalism, we are compelled to present to
the people of this state the following decla-
ration:
First, By divine and national law par
ents are entitled, and in duty bound, to
provide for the education Of their children;
therefore we claim for parents the right to
select such school for the education of their
children as they are convinced will best pro-
mote the welfare of their children.
Second, In case parents neglect this
duty the state is justified in compelling
them. by appropriate legislation, to dis
when parents are unable to provide for the
education of their children, assume this
duty. From this results justification of
compulsory school attendance under the
above mentioned conditions; the necessity
of public schools, the right of general taxa
tion for their support.
"Third, We declare that we make no
claim upon the public schools for the sup
port of parochial and other private schools.
AS citizens and taxpayers we insist on our
rights, even at the risk of being decried as
enemies of the public schools, to protest
against any misuse and waste OF this fund.
Fourth, As we make ne claim on the
private schools we deny that the state has
right to exercise any control over our
schools. We only then grant it the right of
interference with the management Of pri-
vate schools if these collide with public or
der or the law of morals.
Fifth. Because the so-called Bennett
law violates the aforementioned principles
and unnecessarily and unjustly curtails our
religious liberty, we hereby declare our
selves for the unconditional repeal of this
law. Whatever good there is contained in
this law has been long ago offered by other
laws, and therefore we cannot recognize
from it any other intention but this: To
compel citizens who provide for the educa-
tion of their children to adopt the methods
of those who hate their religion and nation
ality.
''Sixth, We therefore declare that with
out regard to former party connections we
will only vote for such candidates who
pledge themselves to work for the repeal of
the law"