Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1892-08-30
EDUCATION IN ILLINOIS.

JupoE ALToELD was interviewed n
few days ago In relation TO the school
question, by Negs Record (Chicago) |
reporter. II should DO noted that the |
educational problem ia now political
Issue In Illinois, and 1t promises to be
a bitter one. The Germans Of that
great State DON'T want any interference
with their language or with their
paroohial schools. They nro not OPP
posed to compulsory education, but
they are opposed to state dlctation In
educational matters. In this both
Catholics md Lutherans are agreed.
The English, Polish, bohemian aud
French speaking Catholics tO a certain
extent endorse the Germans.
Judge Altgeld states that he believes
In, aud is an advocate Of, compulsory
education, bat the public schools should
bo maintained independent OF all
religious sectarian teaching. As to
paroohinl schools he says;
extraordinarily tho State school system
is for tho purpose OF taking care OF all
those children whose parents cannot or
do not choose to sond thoir children to
private schools. There was time In tho
history OF tho world when there wore no
common schools. Every learner had To
purchase teaching Of some private tutor
or school. But tho public school system,
well managed, backed by the Immense
resources Of tho State has practically
superseded In tho business OF education,
especially In the primary and grammar
grades, the instruction by private schools.
But tho psrochial school system, being
an adjunct OF a church, an auxiliary OF
religious teaching, has survived along
with u church religion. At Tho tlmo
they were established the church, wisely
thoughtful OF the welfare OF its youth, pro-
vilod combination Of secular and
religious instruction by one aud
the same set OF tutors. Thus tho
parochih school, being part Of the
church IN much as tho Sunday school is
part OF the English protestant churches,
1t cannot Justly be assaulted. There is
nothing In tho common.-chool system or
In tho fundamental theory upon which
II rests which prompts the belief that Il
should DO forced upon the people who
are unwilling to accept II. As already
explained, It is maintained TO supply a
deficiency and not to wrench the control
OF the education Of children from
parents"
When asked as to state control OF
parochial schools he replied;
) "Noi for tho state contributes nothing
to maintain them. II thoss schools dc
any hing or teach anything contrary ia
3 law the State can stop t. When 1t be-
, came obvious tina. tho railroads were
Z making unjust Determinations between
their patrons the State stopped In aud
undertook, 90 roct,fy tho abuse Of power
Likewise II II were apparent that the
parochial schools were teaching doctrines
contrary to tho welfare Of tho state oil
people, ar, ifthoy wore mistrcailng The
! scholars or In any way mtsoducatng
b th2m, / should say that tho State oughl
q TO step In and correct tho defect, But
e have mover heard that any such charge u
D made even by tho most yirulout enemici
a Of the parochnl schools, II is admille,
}. that they arc good from an oduca.ioua
y point OF yiew,n
g When asked sto the State Inspector
j. chips OF parochial schools, he said:
o No. upou tho SEINE ground the Sta,