, 1890-05-29
RELIGIOUS MEETINGS.
German Catholic Convention
at Milwaukee.
THE PAROCHlAL SCHOOL SYSTEM
Loud and Angry Protests Against
the Bennett Law-The Pres
byterians Adjourn.

MILWAUKEE,, May 27.-ln tho conyen.
ton of the German Catholic societies
this morning several speeches were
made.
II. J. Spannharst of st. Louis, said
that the Bennett law presented n polltl-
cal question that tue Catholics should
not ignore, because It directly affected
the welfare of their !nstitut ions.
Bishop Flosch in his address referred
to the Bennett law, and upheld the
right of the church TO 80 into politics
when its interests we're attacked.
lie was followed by Bishop Katzer, of
Green Bay, who attacked the Bennett
law in the blttcrcst manner. lilo said
that the law practically denied the right
of n child to obey It's parents by putting
its claims before those oi the parents.
Friends Of the law" he said, "tell us a
child has rights which the state must
see accorded It, but parents have more
interest In the child than the state" +"
AS the bishop proceeded he warmed TO
his subject, and fairly brought his hear
ers to their ieet by the intensity of his
manner. lio became angry, pathetic
and sarcastic by turns. 'rhc matter of
teaching English, they tell u.s. is what
they are hgh,ingw lac exclaimed,
but that is not so. English is now
taught in our schools, but II the state
has the right TO tell us that we must
teach English IL will soon be telling us
what we shall eat and what shall be ON
the table for the family dinner They
are all of class In their laws, whether
in Wisconsin, Illinois or Massachusetts.
They attempt TO interfere with personal
and parental rights. Their logical con-
clusion would be very dangerous to the
church and to- society. This Bennett
law was conceived in the minds of free
thinkers and those opposed to the Cath.
Ollie church and her schools. was told
recently by o Mason that the Bennett
law was first suggested by the Masons.
The man said he could prove to me, If
he did not put SO great value on his
head, that the Bennett law was first agi-
tated by the Grand Lodge of Masons in
the state of Wisconsin.
Tho applause which followed this
statement was deaiening, and the bishop
bad to stand fully half a minute before
he could continue. In closing he urged
his hearers to oppose all measures like
the Bennett law, and to stand firmly by
the church.
At the afternoon session the following
resolutions were unanimouSly adopted Z:
In view OF the attack upon the sacred
rights of parents which have recently
been begun by the adhcrents OF pater-
nalism, We arr compelled TO present to
the people of this state the following
declaration;
Firstly moral right and national
law parents are entitled Nnd In duty
hound'to provide for the education of
their children, Therefore, we claim for
parents the right to select such schools
Tor the education OF their children as
they arc convinced will best promote
the welfare of their children,
Second-ln the case of papnts neglect.
ing their duty, the state is justified in
compelling them by appropriate legisla-
tion to discharge their duty. The state
may also. when parents are unable to
provide Tor the education OF their chill
dren, assume this duty. From this re-
suits tho Justification OF compulsory
school attendance under the above men.
toned conditions. the necessity OF pub
lie schools, and the right of general tax
alton for their support.
Third declare that we make no
claim upon tho public schools tor the
support of our parochial and other pri-
vate schools, and as citizens and tax
payers we insist on our rights, even at
the risk of being decided enemies of the
public schools.
Fourth--As we make no claim on the
support Of the state for our parochial
and private schools, we deny the states
right to exercise any control over our
schools. We only then grant 1t the
right of interference with the manage
mcnt OF private schools, Ii these collide
with the public order or morals.
Finh-Dccauso the so-called Bennett
law violates the above mentioned prin-
ciplcs and unnecessarily and unjustly
curtails our religious liberty, we hereby
declare ourselves for the unconditi tional
repeal fthe law. Whatever good there
is contained in this law has been long
ago offered by other laws, aud, there
iorc, We can not recognize from IL any
other intention but this: 10 compel
citizens who provide for the education
of their children to adopt the methods of
those who hate their religion and ma
tionality.
S!Sth-We, therefore, also declare
that, without regard to former party
connections, we will only vote for such
candidates as pledge thems ives To work
for the repeal Of this law.