The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-06-20
Letter from Rev. Father M E. Lynott

| Editor OF The Tribune
Sir: 4 most wantuu outrage the rights Of
| citizens and parents I,rrprlratrd hv the
| schnol board OF Jer,nyn borough at meeting
| held june II, when that august body refused
! to receive petition signed h., nearly one hue
drcd taxpayers VIII" objected 10 the introduction
| of church influence. otherwise sectaran. intn-
| cncr. into the work OF the SChouls that alc
| Theoretically secular. The sgnel> are all Catho
| lie citizens, members "t st. Mays church, and
! the incident that called forth the protest and
petition was the preaching OF haccilluleal"
| Scmon to the graduating cla.S on Sunday Jun"
| >, in the Methodist Episcopal church. The writ
rr is in possession OI facts To prove that a dis
! position has existed here in certain circles ior
| the past three wears to Introduce church iniiu.
| encc into The schools and thus bring them under
| ,enomni, onal influence, il moi under >uc con
mol. 1t needs no argument (" show that such 4
| step would be violation of the ight> of tithO-
| lie taxpayers and, therefore. iraugi with trouble
| among nrighb"is who have lived hitherto IN
peace and harmony. To prevent Il repetition OF
having the bacca !auioai" sermon delivered in any
! ,huicIi--wli,h i wholly ont "t place in the
common schools, and ol q d"nominatonal chat
| acter necessarily ami thus phviatc any friction
| among nciehhorS, the tatholic taxpayers signed
| a pet ion and committee WAS appointed To
| have il presented To tho school hoard. Frank t.
| Socker. es,l "ugaGed Ton the purpose and
after lcciting the fact that the prlitiunc's we've
| standing strictly upon their cons tint onal and
| legal rights, guaranteed in the ir>t am-IId'
! mtnt to the constitution Of the tinted states,
| and in the consl liluiiOm OF the commonwealth ii
| pcnn>y yNana. and showing that the mere fac"
| that they had conscientious SculpleI against going
| into any church other than firlr own aud being
| present while religious services being con.
/ ducted, is sufficient TO bring them within the
| puWew and protect ion OF the constitution; and
| declaring that great port on Of the people OF
! This country are OF the sane religious faith As
! the petitioners. that they contribute largely to
| The LAKES to carry on the government, and, when
| occasion demanded, they have moi been slow 10
| offer themselves their lives, ii need be, 10 pro
! teci and sustain the governments and that the
ind dull men who had signed the petition wer"
! neiehbors and lifelong friends Of the other ci,-
zens of the borough. he urged the respectful con
sidcraion OF the petition aud asked that il he re-
! cci>"d and spread on The minutes,
! THE PETITION.
[ 40 the Honorable, the school Board Of Jermtn
Borough.
I'VE, the undersigned iaylIycs and citizens
( of the borough Of JcrmNn, anxious 10 see the
/ most friendly and cordial relations preserved
amongst the people OF ON borough: averse 10
/ discord and drcIling its evils: drsirng that our
/ children receive the full benefit and the a,Ean'
tages uf the education prov ilcd ~ the public
| schools and fearful lest the ;lue puIpose OF onr
| common school system bc perverted and lis citi'
! cheney impaired by inoNJt ions winch coutIovene
| nW rights lINplyerS and vitiXons, and wlich,
J l",auSe these inaoyalo arr sub, er,iNr OF our
/ sights and threaten the harmony and good viii
! that have always existed 'iAong ucighhor> here,
/ do petition your honorIlle body 20 safeguard
! the schools nom Tho NJgulieS .4ui noi iou> ~
/ Ncll.mcJun" bur ill.ldNi>rd lerSru. w. rrr,r
specially 10 the arlion oi Nj \. H. Baret,
! ulilripil. in bIup iuu the graduation ui