The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-01-12
Representatives Of the Federal Party
Opposed to Using Public Buildings
for Religious Purposes.
TIME WANTED BY CATHOLICS
TO PRESENT THE CHURCH SIDE OF
THE QUESTION TO JUDGE TAFT.
Claim of 81 900, 900 Presented by own
ers of the ManiIa-Dagupan Rail-
way for Damages During War.

MANILA, Jan. 1.-The first public dis
cussion of the bill TO establish a depart
ment of public instruction to-day developed
a contest on the question of religion in pub
lie schools. Interest centers in the section
permitting priests and ministers to teach
religion for half an hour three times week
ly, outside of school hours. provided the
parents express a written desire for such
instruction, and prohibiting teachers from
conducting religious exercises or teaching
religion.
The directors of the Federal party were
represented by committee who, although
Catholics, argued strongly in favor of the
elimination of the section. They declared
that the use of the schoolhouse for religious
purposes is contrary to the United States
Constitution and also the platforms of the
American parties and the Philippine Fed
eral party and is certain to cause discord.
Representatives of the Central Catholic
Society, who appeared in behalf of permit
ting religious instruction in the schools,
said they did not assume to represent the
Filipinos politically, but religiously. They
asked time for the preparation of reply
and were given until Monday.
Judge Taft said the attitude of the
United States Philippine commission as a
legislative power was one of absolute in
difference between Catholic, Protestant or
Mohammedan religions. The commissioners,
he added endeavored to frame the act so
that the peoples prejudices would assist
instead of retard its success
The remainder of the day was devoted to
discussion of the proposed amendments. the
most important being the establishment of
agricultural schools. 1t will probably be
adopted.
The representatives of the owners of the
Manila -Dagupan Railroad have presented
detailed claims for more than 81, ,0000 600 as
compensation for damage done during the
insurrection This is exclusive of the COM
pensation which will be demanded later
for damages during the period until the
American government operated the road
The owners are British subjects.
A printing establishment here. charged
with publishing seditious matter, has been
confiscated.
The campaign in northern Mindanao is
directed personally by Brigadier Kobbe,
with headquarters at Cagayan. Colonel
Birkhimer, with five companies OF the
Twenty-eighth Regiment has swept the
country and destroyed Filipino strongholds
in the vicinity of Santa Ana. Major Case.
of the Fortieth Regiment, is operating in
the mountain regions of southwest Caga-
yam. He has destroyed several strongholds
and captured somep risoners Minor cap
lures and sulTenders occur in Luzon
The civil officers of several towns i'm Zam-
bales province met at San Antonio recently
and signed an ultimatum to send 10 the in
surgents notifying the insurgents that they
will be paid thirty pesos apiece for rifles
and liberated If they agree to keep quiet.
setting forth that. since General MacAr-
thurs proclamation is IL impossible to
any longer contribute assistance and an
nouncing that If the insurgents 40 not re-
turn TO their homes by jan so they will
be considered enemies of their people, who
will then assist the Americans to pursue
them.