The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-02-27

Testimony Becoming Interesting in
the Avon School Row.

ST. CLOUD, Mimi, Feb. 26-The in
vestigation conducted under the
charges preferred against Rocholl,
county superintendent of schools,
charging him with malfeasance in
office in countenancing sectarian re-
ligious instructions, is rapidly draw
ing to a close.
Yesterday afternoon Rocholl was put
through a severe cross examination by
Attorney Calhoun of the prosecution
The witness at times seemed much con-
fused, and at one time refused to
answer.
He was evasive in many answers,
and in one instance the question,
When you cited Heinen for re-examl-
nation, was it not for the purpose of
laying a foundation to get him out of
Avon SCHOOL," had to be asked sew
eral times before a satisfactory reply
was given. Finally RocholPs counsel
told him to answer yes or no. Roch-
oil insisted in going into lengthy ex-
plantations. Finally he said"Yes," and,
when asked by his attorney what he
had said 1t to, he asked that the ques-
ton be repeated, and then answered
mo"
To the question, Did you expect to
find out that Heinen was not a man
OF good moral character" Mr.. Rocholl
would not answer, even though both
attorneys urged him to do So He
absolutely denied that he had any in
formation, belief or knowledge that the
Catholic cathechism was taught in the
common schools of this county.
ROchOll, previous to being elected
school superintendent, taught the iden-
teal school at Avon where the trouble
started that brought about this in,
vestigation. On cross-examination he
admitted that he taught the catechism
there himself, but denied that 1t was
taught anywhere else.
Joseph Heinen, the teacher at Avon,
was afterwards put on the stand and
while not disinterested party, be-
cause of the fact that he is the teacher
whose certificate it is alleged was re-
voked because Of his refusal to con-
tinue the prayers at the Avon school,
testified that during the ten years tina.
he had taught school in Stearns county,
he had given instructions in the cate
chism in different schools. He also
said that while teaching in the town
Of ST. Martin, when Rocholl was first
elected superintendent Of schools, he
visited the school and had a conversa-
ton in which he warned witness that
he must not let the fact become known
outside Of the district that the cate
chism was being taught by him there.
The district was exclusively Catholic.
A number Of witnesses were called IN
rebuttal by the prosecution. The prose-
cution has introduced in evidence
some of the Herder German readers
used in the schools, and also the fol-
lowing translation Of the last chapter
of a history of the Bible, which, the
evidence disclosed, was being used as
reader in about 100 Of the districts
of the county, and which Is looked on
as a strong link in the chain to show
that sectarian doctrines are being
taught in these schools. with the
knowledge and consent of Superinten-
dent Rocholl.
With wonderful rapidity had the church
grown from a tiny mustard seed to large
was not interrupted or checked by the pass
ing away Of the apostles, for the bishops had
stepped into their places to guide the Christ
ian communities in the spirit Of God.
The supervision over the entire church was
conducted by the successors of st. Peter and
the popes at Rome, and by means of this
common head the church was held together
in solid unity. The bishops and popes were
continually sending forth messengers Of faith
to enlighten those yet remaining in the dark
ness and shadow of spiritual death.
Thus did establish and develop itself more
and more the one holy Catholic and Apos-
tolic church. 1t has already existed for more
than eighteen centuries, and will so continue
until the glorious return to its divine founder
The divine words here become fulfilled.
and shall continue to become fulfilled for all
time: Thou art Peter, and upon this rock
will build my church, and the powers of
hell shall not overcome it,"
On the back cover of the book is this adver-
tisement:
At the teachers convention, Aug &C. 1887,
and Aug. 8, 1889, at Richmond, Mimi. it was
resolved: That the new German readers pub
Eshed by Herder be recognized as superior
to any extant, and to take precedence in
Stearns county.
Herder's readers were by resolution on July
70. 1872 introduced officially in the diocese Of
RellVille