The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1890-10-23
SCHMITZ ANDT THE BENNETT LAW.

Ii tueIe Is any one CHARACTERISTIC Wnlcn
distinguishes A. J. Schmitz from the rest
OF mankind it is his uncompromising de-
votion to the democratic party. 1t is
bone of his bone and flesh of his flesh.
His devotion is wholly unselfsh and
there is no thought of political advance
ment for himself in what he does. He
almost goes to the extreme of the old de-
votion to kingly power which held that
the king can do no wrong" He refuses
In the present campaign to perceive that
the democratic party made grievous
mistake in pronouncing in favor of the
repeal OF the Bennett law. Put the
question before him divested of all its
party features and his clear Judgment
would at once put him in perfect accord
with The Pilot on this question If he
would only take patience to consider
what the effect OF democratic victory
this fall would be on the future of the
party, he would hesitate long before
throwing himself into the fight. But
his nature spurs him TO take up the fight
regardless of consequences. There could
be nothing more fatal to the democratic
party than to win this fall on the issue
forced upon it by the Milwaukee BASES
whose only thought was to frame an
issue on which to carry elections In that
city. Mr.. Schmitz don't see this and in
fact don't won't to see it. His influenced
this county is greater than that of any
other man and not being backed by those
who were his former associates, he Is
making stronger efforts than usual to
hold for the party it's old majority when
it was the champion of sound democratic
principles.
! He is all right on the tariff ques ton.
But the only officers who are to be elect
| ed this fall who have anything to do with
the tariff are congressman and members
of the Legislature. Democrats can show
| their devotion to democratic principles,
the principles which have governed the
party for years by voting for the nomi-
nees of their party for congress and the
Legislature. The nominees for county
offices are good clean men and are not
put forward by the Milwaukee bosses
aided by those who would check the
prosperity of our country schools.
1t is different with the democratic state
ticket. That seeks to be elected by get
ting votes from republicans who are op-
posed to the Bennett law. The demo-
cratic state convention at the bidding of
these republicans and under the direc-
ton of the Milwaukee bosses, came out
for the repeal of the Bennett law.
The only real point of difference be-
tween the Bennett law and other CON-
pulsory laws in this atate is that the
Bennett law asks that SOME instruction
be given in English. 1t does not ask
that ALL be given in English, but that
English shall not be wholly neglected.
The other compulsory school laws will
permit the entire exclusion of English
from the course of instruction unless
the school attended be public school,
and when the English is there excluded
the parent is under no obligation to
send bis child to a school where he can
get knowledge of English.
Here is the difference between the !
platforms:
The democratic platform declares in
favor of compulsory education but that
ALL the instruction may be in foreign |
language if the parent wants it SO.
The republican platform declares in
favor of compulsory education and also
that PART of the instruction must be
such as to enable the child to read and |
write English.
That is the whole difference as any one
can satisfy himself by examining both
platforms. Though the difference may
appear small on a hasty glance, reAec-
ton will show that it is far from being
SO. There is no child raised in the United |
States who Goes not need a knowledge
of the English language, more than he
needs education in any foreign language.
When the parent refuses to give HIM this
iuSli uCtloi VIC Id" ultl W
do SO. The democratic platform says
the parent must educate the child. Now
this is interfering with parental rights
and it should go just far enough in ad-
dition to say that the parent must give |
the child some instruction in English.
The democratic party says this is wrong.
Is it SO?
There is no longer any discussion OF
the district clause as the republican plat
form proposes an amendment to the law
striking that out. This was wholly I'M
necessary but it can do no harm. Col.
Villas, who is the best authority says
the Objectionable feature is requiring
that English be taught.
1t must not be understood that the |
teaching of English precludes the teach
ing of any other language. All that is
asked is that English be not wholly neg
lected. In addition, any other language |
may be taught, whether it is German.
Bohemian, Norwegian, Irish or any other
language under the sun, but for II weeks |
at least English must be one of the lam
guages taught. Is this a law which |
should be repealed?
FOR SALE.