The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-11-01
THE RECORD SHOWS THE FACT
Bryan Voted Against Teaching Eng
Iish I'm New Mexico's Public schools.
o the Editor Of the indianapolis Journal:

To the Editor of the Indianapolis Journal
During the last week numerous tele-
grams and letters have reached me from
various parts of the country asking for
the facts connected with Mr.. Bryans vote
against the teaching of the English Ian
grage in the schools of New Mexico. As
journal clerk OF the national House Of
Represe natives. and being familiar with
the proceedings thereof. / have concluded
TO give out the following statement so that
the facts may be known as they absolutely
On Jiane q, 1894. the House was pro-
ceeding under a special order, having UNI
Ger Consideration House Bin 1853 of the
Fffty-third Congress, being "A bill to en-
able the people of New Mexico TO form
constitutional and State government and
be admitted into the Union," etc. The
following paragraph. being part of Sec
.'Fourth-That provision shall be made
for the establishment and maintenance of
q system of public schools which shall
be open to all the children of said State
and free from sectarian control"
Mr.. Smith. of Illinois (Republican). sub
mttted the following amendment:
Insert on Page ), in Line %, after the
word control the following: And in all
of which public schools the English Ian
guage shah be taught.
after two hours debate, in which the
Republicans appealed TO the Democrats to
accept this amendment. Mr.. Joseph Demo
craft. delegate from New Mexico. em-
phatically refused. The following Repub-
licans spoke in favor of the amendment:
Mr.. Smith. of Illinois: Mr.. Hopkins, of
Illinois: Mr.. Gear. of Iowa; Mr.. Perkins, of
Iowa; Mr.. Bingham, OF Pennsylvania, and
Mr.. Burrows. OF Michigan. The following
amendment: Mr.. Joseph, OF New Mexico;
Mr.. O'Neill of Massachusetts; Mr.. Wheel
er. of Alabama: Mr.: Boatner. of Louisiana,
and Mr.. Grain. or Texas. During the
course of the debate Mr. Hopkins. OF ILL
1cis (Rep.), said:
Il trust the gentleman from New Mexico
will not object 10 so reasonable an amend
ment as this 1t does not prohibit the
teaching Of the Spanish or any other lam
guage in the public schools If the Legisla-
ture chooses to provide for it. 1
trust that there Is patriotism enough in
the Democratic party I'm this House TO de-
cline TO admit New Mexico into the Union
State unless so just and so proper
an amendment as this be adopted"
Mr.. Bingham. OF Pennsylvania (Rep.),
said:
II believe that the English language,
with no exclusion of other languages. as
the language OF the Nation and its laws,
should be prescribed peremptorily, and
should be the basis of the education OF
the young men OF the State OF New Mex
leo.
On motion of Mr.. Burrows. of Michigan
tRep). the yeas and nays were ordered.
and. as recorded on Page 69l6 of Volume
Is. Part of the Congressional Record.
Fifty-third Congress. Page 45S, the yeas
(favOring the amendment were 81: the
nays Opposing the amendment), III. OF
the 81 voting in the affirmative six were
Democrats. namely: English. of New Jer-
eey; Goldzier. OF Illinois: Harter OF Ohio;
Ilxirt. of Ohio: McNagny. OF Indiana, and
Richie. of Ohio. voted for the amendment.
Also four PopulistS-Harris. of Kansas:
Hudson, OF Kansas: KEN. of Nebraska
Mckeighan. OF Nebraska. voted for the
amendment. OF the III votes cast against
the amendment one observation-disclosures,
OF Iowa-voted against it.
Both the Record and the Journal show
Mr. Bryan as voting in the negative. that
s.. against the amendment.
further amendment was proposed by
the Republicans (by Mr.. Wilson. OF Ohio.
follow.
"On Page 5. after Line 50. insert the
following: And for teaching the English
language a branch OF study I'm all pub
&c schools. but not TO the exclusion OF
other languages.
The yeas and nays are recorded on this
amendment also. being 81 In favor OF the
amendment and lis against H. Four
Democrats voted with four Populists for
the amendment. No Republican voted
against Ii. Mr.. Bryan Is recorded as vot-
ing no against the amendment. (Record
same as above. Page 6si9; Journal, same as
above. Page i04)
ut this time, as the Democratic and Pop
ullst papers and speakers have challenged
the statement contained in the Republican
Campaign Textbook or 1S9S. Pages 81 and
IS as not representing facts as recorded
In the record / have made a careful com
parison OF the vote and find IL correctly
stated In the textbook as above re-
ferred 10. THOMAS II. M'KEE.
Journal Clerk, H. T.
Washington. ID. g, Oct 80.