The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1890-04-10

! been Kept IN German IOT years to
the utter destruction of all validity
or legality. Every act or tax levied
is illegal because Of such state of
affairs. In one town in the State
vote was taken to loan the public
school money to such as wanted to
borrow. Instances have come to my
knowledge where the English Ian
guage has been banished from the
public school-house. and in one in
stance a German Catholic priest
stripped the public school of its fur
niture and ordered the school closed.
[ have not the least doubt but that
he in common with others, is a bit
ter opponent Of the Bennett law
in certain counties in the State a
regularly paid interpreter is needed
to secure the testimony in court of
men and women who were born in
the State Nearly every Judge in
the State is constantly meeting in
stances of this sort. Yet when law
is enacted to prevent such rank in
justice to children who are to be-
come American citizens, we are told
that we are striking a blow at certain
people and the right to worship. The
same plea is set up in New Mexico,
where one-half the people cannot
speak, much less read or write, the
English language. Those who are
interested in keeping those people
in ignorance are also greatly exer-
cised lest the right of worship be
curtailed in some manner. 1t is Gu
rious to note how difficult it is in the
opinion Of these people for our Heav-
emily Father to understand the Eng
lish language. A peculiar feature Of
this controversy is the claims and
assumptions in defense of religion
which the opponents of the Bennett
law set up They are very peculiar
indeed The Lutheran and German
Catholic clergy have suddenly be
come the only defenders of religion
in the land. The German Metho-
dists, Baptists, Presbyterians, Scan
dinavian Lutherans, and all that
great body of English-speaking Pro
testants can see no danger to relig
ion or the rights of religious worship
in the law. Are they SO stupid that
they do not know when religion is
attacked? Then there are the Irish
Catholics. Have they suddenly be
come blind to the great danger that
threatens their religious existence
and integrity? All these last emu
merated classes Of religious thought
and belief are quite generally in ia
vor of the law.
Really, my friends, do you think
we have yet reached the real animus
of the opposition to the law? The
situation reminds me very much OF
the words of certain man by the
name of Demetrius, as recorded IN
the nineteenth chapter of the Acts of
the Apostles: "Sirs, We know that by
this craft we have our wealth.
The Bennett law guards well all
reserved rights of parent or child
The school boards are the author
lied agents of the State to execute
the purpose of the State.
Exceptions are we'll cared for (I)
With unusual liberality any offender
against the law is given five days no
tice. (2) No one but the school
board is authorized to make com
plant. CD Inability to send a child
to school is valid excuse. (4)
Previous attendance at school for
the prescribed period. 60 Previous
proficiency in the prescribed elenen-
tary branches. (6) Physical or
mental condition of child rendering
attendance inexpedient or imprac-
ticable. Cd The excuse furnished
by the school board is bar to pros
ecution
Let US suppose a disagreement
arises and the board refuses to grant
an excuse. The parent refuses to
obey, and the case is taken into court.
After prosecution is commenced if it
shall appear to the satisfaction of
LUC COulL LlldL ClIllCI OOIOlS VI C1AINl
the receipt of the notice the parent
has caused such child to attend a
school as provided in this act in
good faith and with the intent to
continue such attendance the pre-
scribed time, the penalty shall not be
incurred. There can be no Convic-
ton or penalty assessed except IN
court and upon the verdict Of jury
if the accused shall request one.
The law defines what shall con
stitute school within the meaning
of the law, for the meaning of the
law is to secure certain instruction in
English. This is logical to its pur-
pose and wise. 1t is school that
shall teach the things without which
one cannot become thoroughly indie
pendent, intelligent, useful, and com
petent, not only to manage his pri-