The record-union., 1896-10-31
BRYAN DEFINES HIS POSITION
IN REGARD TO RELIGION AND
FREE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
The Former Should Not be a Test for
Holding Public Office-The Latter
Should be naintained.

MADISON CWis.), Oct 30.-Mr Bry-
an tonight made the following state
ruent to the ited-Associated Presses
| representative:
II have not attempted to answer all
of the Misrepresentation which have
been circulated in this campaign, but
in these closing days 1 feel that it is
| necessary to call your attention to an
attack which has recently been made by
tie enemy. / find that the Republicans
are circulating among Catholic citizens
the charge that / am, or have been, a
r:enber of the American Protective AS
| Sociation. / have also learned that /
| have been accused Of being a member
| of a society which | think is known
| as the Junior Order of American Me-
| chanics. At the same time / have been
| accused in other quarters of being OPP
posed to the public school, and of hav-
| ing voted against the teaching of the
English language in the public schools
Of New Mexico. While / have attempted
| to confine my discussion of public is
sues to the questions raised by my
platform, and have considered the mon
ey question as paramount to all others,
I take this opportunity to explain my
position upon the religious controversy
| which has been raised, and ask the
/ United-Associated Presses to give the
matter publicity.
II am not and never have been a
member of the American Protective AS
suciation or of the Junior Order of
| American Mechanics, or of any other
society hostile to any church, religion
| or race, nor have / ever applied for
| membership in any such organization.
| While I am a member of the Presby-
| terian Church, / have always believed
that there should be no religious test
applied in the holding Of public office and
/ have not allowed religious differences
tc affect my conduct in the discharge
of the duties of public Office.
Il am believer in the public school
system. / attended public schools my
sell and my children are now attending
public schools. While I recognize the
right of parents to send their children
| tc private school colleges. if they
so desire ,eI1eve that the free public
schcoI must remain a part of our sys-
tenn of government in order that means
Of education shall be within the reach
OF every child In the land. The Dem
| ccratic members of Congress voted
against a proposed amendment to the
\
PEELED the teaching of the English Ian
| guage in the public schools, not be-
| cause the Democrats were opposed to
the teaching of the English language in
such schools. but they did not deem it
necessary or wise to require a pledge
from the people of New Mexico which
had not been required of the people of
other Territories seeking admission.
| II trust that what / now say may
reach all of the voters, because it is
the only opportunity I shall have of
meeting these Misrepresentation !
| trust that those who support the poll
| cies set forth in the Democratic plat
| form will not allow themselves to be
alienated from my support by any affi-
| davits which may be circulated by po-
litical enemies. have tried so far as
/ could to conduct this campaign in an
open and honorable way, and have in
| sisted that those who with us
should refrain from personal criticism
! of my opponent, and leave the people
to pass Judgment upon the principles
which we represent