Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-12-07
PUBLIC AND CHURCH SCHOOLS.
Proposed Law That is Causing Mucf
Discussion in New York.

The question of state aid to church schools
is already being discussed in New York and
promises to occupy considerable of the time
of the state legislature at its coming session
A bill known as the Walsh bill has been pre-
pared to be presented to the legislature and
an agitation for the passage OF the bill is
being conducted under the direction of DR.
Michael Walsh editor of The Sunday Dem
ocrat- The bill in question mentions no
church organization. but, as Protestants
claim. is intended to authorize and require
diversion of a portion of the public school
funds of the state to the support of paro-
chial schools. Petitions are now being cir
culated for signatures, asking the passage
of the bill as a matter of justice.
The Text of the Bill.
The text of the bill, which is entitled An
act for the promotion of education through
out the state of New York." is as follows:
Section i. That whenever any individual.
or body or association Of individuals, or
any organization of persons, incorporated
or unincorporated, shall have established
school for The free education Of youth in
the primary branches of education, to wit,
reading, writing and arithmetic and such
school shall have been in existence for the
term of at least one year, with not less
than nifty pupils in regular attendance, and
d
inspection and examination thereof bv the
state or local board of school trustees or
such other persons as may from time TO
time be designated for the purpose, the per-
son or persons, association or organiza ton
conducting or managing such school shall
be entitled to receive from the state tor
city or county or distric) each year a share
of all state and other moneys now directed
to be apportioned and distributed among the
common schools, the same to be appor-
TONED and distributed among them as di-
rected to be apportioned and distributed
of the laws of 1864.
Sec. ?. Such sums shall be paid annually
from time to time. provided that such school
snail be always open at reasonable times for
inspection, as aforesaid, and that the pupils
shall have passed a satisfactory examina
ton at such stated times as may be deter
mined by the board of school trustees in
accordance with usages and regulations in
force for the public schools of the state
Sec. B. The provisions OF this act shall an
ply only to primary and grammar schools
or schools in which the course of study is
substantially equal 10 that in use in the nub-
lie schools of the state.
The Attitude of Catholic CIeryx
DR.. Walsh who is regarded as the father
of the bill. was asked by New York
Times reporter whether II was true that
the proposed bill did not meet the approval
or the authorities and is quoted as saying;
priests of the state are afraid to come ont
openly in the matter and say that they
want the bill Why, bless you. they vould
all be delighted to have 1t passed. Ru,
they do rot like to step into politics ana
they consider this a political matter 10 a
certain extent. So they will leave this mat
Ter TO the laymen of the church, men who
do not care If it is looked upon as a politi-
cal matter 1t is political, more or less
and some Of the politicians will be ant to
hnd 1t out before the agitation is ended. In
my belief" "
DR.. Walsh is also credited with the fol-
lowing statement:
Il may say that the bill has been an
proved at Rome. where my ideas on the
subject have been approved by the carji-
nails and clergy; by the leading bishons IN
England, Ireland. and all Erglish-speaking
countries. as well as by some of the most
has also been submitted to and pra acticaliy
approved by the leading clergy and the
most prominent men In the Catholic church
In this country"
Not Approved.
The New York Times TODAY saws ,n, ,,u
does not meet with very general annro,.I
outside the circle OF men who are ,,s aa-
vocates. Mgr. Farley and other Catbouc
priests repudiated it in SO far as II NAV n.
the confessed effort of the Roman Catholic
Church TO obtain portion OF the school
fund or the state, even before they knew
the exact form that the bill would take
While the text would permit OF state as
sistance being extended to any school that
meets with the approval OF the state exam
iners there seems to be no attempt by the
members OF any other sect than the t,atbo-
Hes TO push the bill, or even to take ad-
vantage OF It's provisions. reporter for
me New YORK Times yesterday failed 10
ma supporters Of the measure outside of
the one denomination whose members are
expected to be the mass OF signers of The
peuuons Tor It's passage now being spread
broadcast through the state"