Evening journal., 1890-06-05
ONE GENT.
AGAINST THE MEASURE.
Wisconsin Citizens Denounce
the Bennett Law.
AND STATE THEIR OBJECTIONS.
They Declare That, Regardless OF Party
Affiliations, They win Vote Only for
Candidates Who WIN Pledge Them
selves 10 Work fos Its Repeal.

Candidates Who WIN Pledge Thsn-
selves TO Work for Its Repeal
MILWAUKEE, Wis, june 5.-There were
nearly 700 delegates present when Mr.
Christian Koener, chairman Of the anti
Bennett state central COMMITTEES, called
the anti. Bennett Law convention to order
yesterday afternoon. The delegates came
from all parts OF the state, aud most Of
them were from Lutheran churches, but
there was quite number from other de-
nominations and societies opposed to the
law. After the appointment of committees
on credentials and resolutions Mayor Peck
delivered an address of welcome. Speeches
were delivered by Hon. +. W. Cothausen
and Col Conrad Krez, of Milwaukee, and
Professor Anderson, Of Madison, and
others in opposition 70 the Bennett law.
The committee on resolutions reported the
following platform, which was unanimous
ly adopted:
"We citizens of Wisconsin, in conyen-
tiou assembled in order to protest against
the so called Bennett law, in the first place
consider it necessary to defend ourselves
against false representations calculated 70
| prejudice our cause, and do therefore dc
| clare:
Not Enemies of the English Language.
1--WE are not enemies Of the English Ian
| guage; on the contrary, we endeavor 70
| furnish our children the very best instruc
| ton therein. We consider public schools
necessary, but maintain that parents have
| the right TO establish and to select foI
themselves schools for their children. Wa
| claim no part of the public school fund foI
the use of parochal or other private schools
We are not opposed to n law prohibiting
| the employment Of children In factories
nor to an enactment providing for reasona
Dle compulsory attendance at school, nor
| do we object 10 an interference by the state
with schools conducted contrary to the pub
lie order and morality.
The Objections 60 the Law.
"But we protest against the so called
Bennett law because IL unnecessarily and
unjustly curtails our civil and religious
liberty, for It offers the school board an op-
portunity OF determining arbitrarily that
child, during the period OF inforced attend
ance, must attend school in the city,
town or district in which ii resides, thus
depriving parents of the right TO send their
children to q better or more suitable school
outside the district.
1t cOmpels pnfOchlnl ana Otnef private
/ schools 70 observe the time or times OF at
! tendance fixed by school boards without
( regard to the rites and customs OF churches
Z or their schools
"lt prescribes certain studies as also the
4 medium OF instruction therein; further
more its wording is such as to afford school
: boards ample opportunity to usnrp powers
Z not given them, although the state and Its
!. officers have no right 10 interfere with the
D management Of parochial and other pri-
G vate schools
/. I'VE therefore declare that regardless OF
9 former party afiilation we shall vote for
$ such candidates only as pledge themselves
70 work for the repeal Of the Bennett law.
!, It's Repeal Demanded.
y "As patriotic citizens, maintaining human
rights, both civil and religious advocating
sound principles OF education and with nc
enmity toward the English language, VIZ
e are opposed, however, to all measures tend
e ing 70 oppress the immigrated citizens L
Il suppress their native tongue we call upon
y; all who cherish liberty above party Rnc
(. nationality to join us in the effort to havI
X this unnecessary, unjust and discord breed
d ing measure repealed
II Committees will be appointed In each
rs district Aascertain the views Of all candi
It dates on the law, and only those who adyo
s. cate the absolute repeal of the Bennett lav
ID will be supported