Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-12-27
MANITOBA IS RESOLUTE.
Coercion VIII BE Resisted to the Bit
ter End and Mt Any Cost.

Coercion VIII he Resisted to the Bit
ter End and Mt Any Cost.
Special to the New York World.
WINNIPEG. December 26-The govern
ment of Premier GreenWay followed up the
announcement of the dissolution of the leg
islature with formal reply today to the
appeal of the dominion government for
compromise on the parochial school ques-
ton. The reply is addressed to Lord Aber-
deem, the governor general. After long
preamble. setting forth the facts, 1t says
THE reasons which have impelled the ad-
visers of his excellency to decide without
investigation upon the re-establishment OF
separate schools for the Roman Catholic
minority in Manitoba have not been made
known to the government or legislature of
the province, and it is respectfully affirmed
that full and careful consideration OF the
whole subject fails to disclose any sufficient
reason for the adoption of such policy. 1t
is, therefore, decided that so far as the gov
eminent of Manitoba is concerned, the pro-
posal to establish a system of separate
schools in any form be positively and def
nitely rejected, and that the principle of
a uniform non-sectarian public school sys-
tenn be adhered to-"
After expressing doubt as to whether the
remedial legislation proposed by the do
mlnlon government overriding the school
act of Manitoba would be right and just
under the British constitution, the reply
goes on to say:
1T is matter of regret that the invitation
extended by the legislative assembly to
make MAKE proper INQUIRY into the facts of the
case has not been accepted. but that,
above stated, the advisers of his eXcellency
have declared their policy without investiga-
tion 1t is equally a matter of regret that
parliament is apparently about to be asked
to legislate without Investigation.
1T Is with all Difference submitted that
such course seems to be quite incapable
| OF reasonable justification, and must Gre
ha hn nNtr.1 fiNr,r IN,
terests of the people of the province of
Manitoba are being dealt with in hostile
ana peremptory way by tribunal whose
members have not approa ched the subject
| in judicial spirit or taken the proceedings
necessary to enable them to form a proper
opinion upon the merits of a question
The desire of the legislature and govern
| ment of Manitoba throughout the whole
| course of the proceedings, beginning with
| the enactment of the. statute of 1880, has
| been to provide the best possible means of
| education for the children of our citizens
| TO that end every possible effort was put
forth, and every possible pecuniary sacrifice
made in order that there might be estab-
iished school system based upon sound
principles and equipped and administered in
accordance with approved modern educa-
tional methods. Though very much remains
| to be accomplished, it may be fairly asserted
that reasonable measure Of success has
attended the efforts which have thus been
put forth.
I'm amending the law from time to time,
and in administering the system, it is the
earnest desire to remedy every well-founded
grievance and to remove every appearance
Of inequality or injustice that has been
brought to notice With a view to so doing,
the government and legislature will always
be ready to consider any complaint that
| may be made in spirit of fairness and con-
Citation. ...
TT seems, therefore, most reasonable to
conclude that by leaving the question to be
so dealt with the best interests of the
Roman Catholic minority will be better
served than by an attempt to establish
| system of parochiaI schools by coercive leg
| islation. Such system, discredited as it is,
will be from the outset crippled by reason
| of insufficient pecuniary support and in
| effective legislative enactment, and will be
an injury upon those whom it Is intended to
serve
The closing paragraph of the reply de-
| clares that the Manitoba government is
| resolute in its determination to resist the
re-eStablshment of Roman Catholic schools
| intimating that any attempt at coercion will
be resisted to the bitter end and at any cost