The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-11-12
PUBLIC VS.. PAKocHIAL SCHOOLS.

There is difference of opinion within
the Catholic church among the clergy con-
corning the comparative value of public
and parochial schools. An order was
issued on October IA by vicar-General
Brady. of st. Louis, that all Catholic
children who attend the public schools
would be excluded from participation in
the public exercises on the occasion OF
Archbishop Hendricks golden jubilee.
Father Powers, of the Immaculate Con-
ception, one of the wealthiest parishes in
the city, protested as follows against this
order:
To the general public IL will appear a. an
attack on the public school system, and hue
and cry will be raised. Even without this
affront to the educational system of the whole
country, the feeling is fast being aroused
against Catholicism whenever il conflicts with
the public schools.
In my own mind this assumption OF power
Is direct and public blow from q lot of sealots
against the public school system. and should
be trodden under foot before IL can grow strong
enough to prove a formidable enemy. There
are q number of men In the executive commit
tee who are without reason on this point, and
are in such frantic frame of mind that they
DcitFe tniux outsioo Oh tDe Sdtuoiic cHuIcH
should be exterminated. Moreover, consider
that the COMMITTEES deliberately framed that
order SO that il would convey a rebuke
to the recipient. It casts q slur on every
parish that Is without parochial school.
In some districts parochial schools
are unnecessary, and mine happens to be among
the number. II the head men of our church
would give few minutes consideration to the
subject they would find that the parochial
school system OF this country is without merit,
and therefore should be abolished. In no way
does it compare with the public school system.
We have no governing board, aud therefore the
results are very Insignificant
When the Catholics attack the established
educational system OF this country they are fool
ing with a boomerang that will rebound on
them and deal a crushing blow to their own in
situations. l am not the only priest who has
felt the injustice of this committees mandatory
actions, nor am I alone In resenting them.
Father Kelly, of the Church of the
Holy Angels, also protested, saying that
the rich parish of st. Xavier would be
without representation, as 1t is without a
parochial school, and Father Hardy, of
ST. Leo's parish, also protested against the
order, as his parish is also without a pa
rochial school. The Catholic priest Of
Faribault, Minn., recently offered to turn
over his parochial schools to the city, inn
posing no conditions whatever, and his
offer was accepted. The priest explained
that he believed that a better education
could be obtained for patriotic citizenship
in the public than in the parochial
schools, and that the church Sunday.
schools and the parents were able to take
care of the ecclesiastical educstion of the
Catholic children. The priest OF Fari-
bault parish is favorite protege of Arch
bishop Ireland, and he doubtless con-
suited with the bishop and secured his
permission and approval before taking
this important step.