The Irish standard., 1898-01-15
CoFFlN's STORY" KICKED OUT.

are largely to blame fer the objection
able character of the books to be found
in the public schools and libraries
While bishops and priests have been
urging their tloeks to send their child
rem to Catholic schools where religious
instruction is impaired. the fact remains
that large number of Catholic boys
and girls attend the public schools in
every city OF the United States, and in
the rural districts, where no parochial
schools can be established for lack of
support. the children of Catholic par
ents in ninety-nine cases out Of a hun
dred obtain in the public schools all
the education they ever receive in their
Juvenile days. 1t is therefore matter
CT grave Importance to the Catholic body
in this country that the proper kind Of
books be used in the public schools. Any
well instructed Catholic layman who
has examined the readers and histories
to be found in the public schools cam
not fail to observe that they are far
from being impartial in matters per-
tanning to the Catholic church and to
the eminent members thereof. In the
readers may be found rhetorical salec-
lions from Protestant, infldel and ag-
nestle writer's, but not a line. from
Catholic author, either American or Eth
ropean. In the histories compiled for
the use OF public schools Catholic per-
sonages who took conspicuous part in
the establishment and defense of the re-
public are deliberately ignored In
brief. the books are one-sided. They
are essentially Protestant in tone, and
in some cases they are anti-Catholic.
Who is responsible for this?
The Irish Standard does not consider
it fair to charge the American people
with bigotry. They are disposed to be
liberal, and they desire the public
schools should be satisfactory to all the
people in every respect. When readers
and textbooks on history for the public
schools were first published there were
but few Catholics in this country. They
were written and published by Puritans
OF New England, who despised Catholics
and deemed them unworthy of honor
able mention. They are yet published
by the same class of men in the same
way, despite the fact that the, Catholics
now compose one-siXth of the popula-
ton, and they will continue to be pub
llshcd and used until the Catholics
awaken TO the fact that as citizens they
have rights that even Puritan writers
and publishers fire bound to respect. Ill
stead Of Catholic prelatns trying to get
a Ponghkersie or Faribunlt plan they
ought to demand series of school books
in which Catholics are not Disseminated
against. as they have been for The past
fifty years. In the preparation Of books
for the use Of public schools Catholics
are entitled to have something to say.
II they remain silent and inactive they
have no cause for complaint, and fifty
years hence the same obnoxiols books
will be used. or perhaps something
worse
What is said of the school books may
he likewise said of the books in the
public libraries, and again Catholics
themselves are largely to blame. The
Catholic clergy have established paro-
chlal libraries in many parishes, but
members of their flocks frequently go
to the public libraries for reading mat
ter. The clergy should therefore see to
1t that such members of their fiocks can
get Catholic works to read. Librarian
liosmcr, Of this city. will be glad to
procure any books that are wanted by
the clergy, but we understand that thu
latter, as a rule take no interest in The
matter.
The Irish Standard has accomplished
one thing Of which it is extremely proud.
1t has driven Charles Carleton Collins
The Story of Liberty" out OF The public
library after being there for many years.
In previous issue we showed the in
famous character of the book and asked
the members of the library board what
they We're going to do about it. Prof.
Hosmcr Immediately responded by say
ing that the book was in the library
when he assumed charge and that lie
would withhold it from circulation until
the members of the board held their
first annual meeting. President North
rop. of the State university, promptly
responded and said he would give the
matter his official attention at the frs.
opportunity. The board met last week
and placed the book under the ban, no.
only withdrawing it from circulation
but throwing it out Of the public IL
brary altogether. jnItH cannot be had
hereafter even for consultation in n:
reading room. We Tegret to say that
one member of the boart. Mrs Jennie C.
Crays favored its retention as a bool; Tor
reference. though sheswas willing that
its circulation should,lbe discontinued
Why Mrs. Crays took that position in
opposition to all the male members of
the board She did not explain. A mark
cd copy OF the Irish Standard was mail
ed to her. containing our structures on
the book. and if she read the article we