The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1893-06-06
Schools and Taxes.

States IS founded on the principle Gnat ed
ucation should be fostered and regulated
by the state. The Roman Catholic idea,
or, more accurately, the idea of major
ity OF Catholics, is that it is peculiarly
the duty of the church. There is natur
ally continual conflict between the two.
1t is peaceful dispute, fortunately, for
the day has happily gone by when physi-
cal force can be resorted to on one side or
the other.
A renewed effort is being made by Cath
Ole writers to agitate the policy of divid-
ing up the school funds of state, or city,
or district among the various denomina-
lions according to their respective mem
bers. 1t is contended that it is wrong and
unjust to tax members of church for the
support of schools contrary to their faith.
That would perhaps be q good argu
ment if anything contrary to or in favor
of any particular faith was taught or en-
forced in the public schools. But the
theory on which they are established is
that religion, by which is meant the
tsnets of any particular sect, shall not be
Introduced in any form. Education is to
be strictly secular. Thus the children Of
people of all faiths and of no faith at all
may meet on common ground, and receive
training in those branches of learning
that can be acquired separate and apart
from any doctrinal ideas or notions.
This too is considered to be the bust
ness of the state. Laws are enacted for
the common governmentandt the common
good. The state requires obedience to
them from all people. Understanding is
necessary to that obedience. Therefore,
every child should be placed in position
to obtain Information concerning the
laws requirements. 1t is the duty of the
state to make that possible. Taxes are
levied Tor this purpose. No religion can
be taught in the schools thus established,
because nobody IS rights may be lawfully
infringed.
If the funds thus collected were to be
divided, the usefulness of the public
schools would be greatly impaired.
The means now devoted to unity OF
purpose would be necessarily frittered
away, and people of no religious faith
would be placed in the very condition
now complained OF without sufficient
cause by the Catholic opponents, they
would have to send their children to
schools were creeds where taught contrary
to their opinions.
The great thing to do is, to keep the
schools free from sectarian bias of any
kind. Make them truly secular and re-
move any teacher who attempts to in
struct the scholars in favor or against any
religious doctrine or tenet. Let each
denomination provide its own measures
for the religious training of children o,
it's own faith, but let that be done out.
side of the public schools and independent
of the public funds. Taxes must be fol
common tuition and that must be entirely
non-sectarian.
1t is wise provision in the Utah schoo
law which forbids any atheistic or infide
teaching as well as any sectarian or de-
nominational doctrine in the public
schools, but requires moral instruction
SO as to promote 'sgood manners, truth
fitness, temperance, purity, patriotism
and industry The rights of all par
ties are thus preserved and the publ,
character of the schools is maintained.
We have heard of but few complaints
in relation to these matters IN this terri
tory. The superintendent appointed
to watch over the school interests shoule
see that there is no cause for any. 1t il
as necessary to guard against atheistica
teachings as against sectarian teachings
The cause of education will be best pro
NOTED by excluding everything for o
| against theological tenets and ideas
The public funds must be used for publ,
purposes ana therefore the public school,
must be entirely secular.
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