Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1890-05-30
lNFRlNCES ON THEIR RIGHTS
The Bennett Law Handled Without
Gloves at Milwaukee.
Bishops katZer and FlaSeh Make
Ringing Addresses.
Resolutions Passed Demanding the
Repeal of That Law.

MILWAUKEE, May G.-The convention
of German Catholics was tardv in assem-
bling this morning. The convention did
not come TO order until about II o'clock,
when speeches were made by William
Kaiser, of Milwaukee. H. J. Spanhorst, of
st. Louis. Rev, Father Feldman. of Chi
CagO, and others. SpanhorSt said the
Bennett law presented a political question
and that the Catholics could not ignore
it because it directly affected the welfare
of their institutions.
Bishop Flasch referred to the Bennett
law IN his address and upheld the right of
the church to go into politics when its
interests were attacked.
He was followed by Bishop Katzer. of
Green Bay, who proceeded to attack the
Bennett law in the most bitter manner
He said the law practically denied the
right of a child to obey It's parents by put
ting its claims before those of parents.
As the bishop proceeded he warmed to
his subject and fairly brought his hearers
to their feet by the intensity Of his man
ner. He became angry, pathetic
and sarcastic by turns. The mat
ter of teaching English they tell us is
But this is not so. English is now taught
in our schools. But if the state has the
right to tell us we must teach English, it
will soon be telling Us what we shall eat
and what shall be on our table for family
dinner. They are all ola class. these laws
whether in Wisconsin, Illinois or MasSa-
chusetts. They attempt to interfere with
personal rights. and carried out to their
logical conclusion, would be very danger
Gus to church and to society.
RnV IpnIu admin StTltOr n tbp
Milwaukee diocese, then spoke briefly, and
at the close of his address the committee
on credentials reported, and the cOnyen-
ton adjourned until 30 p. m.
At the afternoon session the following
resolutions were adopted:
In view of the attacks on the most sa-
cred rights Of parents which have recently
been begun by natiOnalists and adherentS
of paternalism, we are compelled to pre-
sent to the people of this state the follow
ing declarations:
|. BY divine and natural law parents
are entitled and in duty bound to provide
for the education of their children. There
fore we claim for parents a right to select
such schools for the education of their
children which they are convinced will best
promote the welfare of their children.
,. In case parents neglect this duty
the state is justified III compelling them
by appropriate legislation to discharge
their duty. The state may also when
parents are unable to provide for the edu
cation of their children, assume this duty.
From these results Is the justification of
the compulsory school attendance under
the above mentioned conditions.
8. The necessity of the public schools,
and the right of general taxation for their
support. We declare that we make no
claim upon the public school fund for the
support of parochial and other private
schools; but us citizens and taxpayers we
insist upon our rights-even at the risk of
being derided as enemies of the public
schOoIS-tO protest against any misuse and
waste of this fund.
4. As we make no claim on the support
of the state for our parOchial or private
schools, we deny the state the right to eX-
ercise any control over our schools; we
can only then grant it the right of inter
ference with the management of private
schools if these collide with public order
OF the law of morals.
). Because the so-callrd Bennett law
violates the aforementioned principles
and unnecessarily and unjustly curtails our
religious liberty, we hereby declare our
selves for the unconditional repeal
Of the law Whatever good
there is contained in this law has been
long ago offered by other laws, and, there
fore, we cannot recognize from it any other
intention but this to compel citizens who
provide for the education of their children
to adopt the methods of those who hate
their religion and nationality.
C6. We therefore, also declare that with
out regard to former party connections, We
will only vote for such candidates who
will pledge themselves to work for the re-
peal of the law.