The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1891-02-12
his was denied them by the majority

this was denied them by the majority.
The Bennett law considered as a whole
and unamended, could not be defended.
Shall we vote to sustain it or repeal it?
To my mind there is but one answer to
the question, at the stage of procedure
to which we are now brought. and that
it is to vote for the repeal. l am how
ever not prepared to question, the hon
esty of any gentleman who takes differ
ent view. The position of the Republi-
cans on this school question is not CON-
promised in the least by such course;
you can repeal statute just as. effectual-
~ by amendment as by express repeal.
a repeal of the Bennett law Is the practi-
cal effect of carrying out the declarations
of the Republican platform. 1t frequent
ly happens in legislative halls that legis-
-1ators are obliged to vote against meas
ures containing valuable provisions be-
caused they are joined with those which
he cannot endorse. he position of the
Republicans on the school question has
not changed from the time it was authori-
tatively announced in the platform. This
question Of compulsory education is by
no means settled or abandoned The
Bechtner bill is still pending and the
Democratic majority will undoubtedly
present some measure for the consider
alton of the legislature.
[ have written somewhat at length
but it seemed tc me after your comments
of last week, that [ owed it to myself
and my friends to state the position of
affairs. | have lived great many years
among the people of Manitowoc. L have
received many favors ana honors at their
hands; their good will and respect I sin
cerely wish to retain, and I know Of no
way IN which | could lose it quicker than
by even seeming to surrender my convic-
tons that thrift may follow. Indeed |
am at loss to conceive how any advar-
tage could follow from pursuing the
course which l have, provided your sur
misses as to motive was based upon fact.
[ am not now conscious, that l have ever
attempted to conceal the fact of my
American birth and parentage, or that
my ancestors have lived in this country
since 1860, or that have in any way pre-
tended to adjust my habits and tastes TO |
secure the approval of people of foreign
parentage.
The last campaign in this state was
conducted on an entirely false basis
The Republican party was falsely |
charged with being inspired with hatred |
OF citizens of foreign birth, and had en-
tered upon crusade against them with a |
design to interfere with their religion. |
notorious and accomplished liars,
deity rung the changes upon these |
charges, and as evidence of their state
meats cited the Bennett law, a law which
the party has never endorsed. To eradi-
cate the Impressions thus falsely created |
must be the first work of the Republicans
OF the legislature. Opinions differ as to
how that can best be done but no Republi-
can legislator has yet by his vote, sacrificed
any of the principles of his party's plat
form which, as relating to education, de-
c!ared simply for the education of all the
children of the state in the official Ian
guage of the country, leaving the time,
manner and place to the parent or guar
dian. L believe they will continue to
support unanimously the measures now
pending embodying these principles.
Yours truly,
G. E. EsTABRooK.
Madison, Wis. Feb. 7, 1891.