The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1896-02-07

continued at any time. After 30 years the
Manitoba government took advantage of
this stipulation and passed the public
school act, which withdrew the oontribu-
tions TO the parochial schools. The Roman
Catholics naturally objected. Then, in
1890, began long legal fight, which has
finally resulted in the present political
crisis
In the meantime several decisions have
been given on the question, but they have
not been final and have only served to con-
fuse the situation. There has been no
wavering on the part of the Manitobans
They have steadily declared that the sep
arate Schools should never again receive
government support.
After various decisions by the courts the
matter went to the privy council. This
body in 1899 decided that Manitoba had a
legal right to refuse to support the paro-
chial schools. Then, in 1896, it affirmed
that the Catholics had case for grievance
because of the act under which Manitoba
was admitted, and which gave her the
right to discontinue such support. Fol
lowing this decision an order was issued
commanding Manitoba to restore the sep
arate schools Manitoba fatty refused to
do any such thing. Here the matter has
rested for nearly year.
1t now rests with the privy council OF
Canada to take further action. Since Man
itoba's refusal nothing has been done ex-
cept to extend the time for her compli-
ance. The officials of the prairie province,
however show no disposition to recede
from the firm stand which they have
taken.
Those who know Premier Greenway
have no idea that he will back down. He
is an energetic, resOlute man, who is apt to
nail his colOrs to the mast and fight for
his principles if necessary. A few years
ago a scandal concerning the premier's
private life was made public, and it was
confidently asserted at the time that his
official career was ended. But it was not.
He still has big following in Manitoba
and in this matter of the school question
is supported by powerful majority.
The possibility of resort to force to
compel Manitoba to restore the separate
schools has been discussed, but not with
seriousness. Canadians would hardly go
as far as that. The probability of a COM
promise with the Catholics is more likely.
While their demands have been not at all
uncertain, the fact remains that they have
not so much to lose or gain in Manitoba
after all, for the Catholics in that province
are comparatively few in number. Never
| theless the orders of the hierarchy have
! been that Catholic parents in Manitoba
! shall send their children TO none but Cath
| Ollie schools. In the other provinces where
/ the parochial schools receive government
support this order is not enforced. Many
! Catholics have shown a preference for the
public schools and have sent their children
/ to them.
| 1t is almost certain that the priyy coun-
! Gil will not be able to settle the question,
! as several members have already resigned,
| or have threatened to, on account of dis
/ agreements on the subject. Thus it must
! eventually come before the Dominion par
I -
/ is sure to be hot one. There can be no
/ straightout political division, for the two
/ parties are made up of Catholics and Prot
! estants alike. Religious prejudice and not
/ party utilization will control the votes. To
/ the Catholic members the question is pure
/ " a religious one. The PrOtestantS are
! not spurred on by any such intense inter
! est and regard it more as political issue.
! just what parliament will do with the
question when it comes to a vote Is diff
/ cult to predict
Many proposals for compromise have
+ been suggested, the most recent one hav-
/ ing come from Archbishop Langevin of
Manitoba, who suggests that if the pro-
} vincial government will not contribute TO
/ the support of Catholic schools Catholics
/ be exempted from taxes to support tie
public schools and be allowed to support
( their own schools the government to sup
ply the machinery for the collection OF
/ such taxes.
Mr. uaurier, leader of the Liberal party,
+ in number of speeches made recently,
i suggests that a commission be appointed
/ to investigate the question and make
/ full and complete report of the facts in the
/ case He declares that the Canadian
electorate cannot properly and ought not
10 attompt to make up its mind until such
an Investigation has been made and the
report fully published.