The Washington times., 1902-07-12
Secretary Root Replies to
Charges Made Against
School Teachers.
GOV. WRIGHT'S STATEMENT
Native Teachers Largely in the Ma
jority, and Many Catholics Among
Them - Declares Story of Catholic
Paper Wholly Untrue.

lNS SEoAANNAN AOA W hihG ~ AAAAAi Al WY VI
the Catholic Times" in which it was
stated that American teachers in the
Philippines were endeayoring to change
the faith of their pupils from the Cath
olic to the Protestant church. The let
ter incloses copies of a cablegram re-
ceived from Acting Governor Wright.
The text of the entire communication is
as follows:
July 10, 1902.
Dear Sir: I beg to advise you on
the 5th of July. Vice Governor Wright,
the acting governor of the Philippines,
was requested to report by cable the
facts bearing upon the charge, which
has recently been extensively circulated.
that official positions in the public
school service in the Philippines have
been used for proselyting purposes, es-
pecial reference being made to an arti-
Gle which had just appeared in the
Catholic Times
THE following dispatch has now been
received from Governor Wright:
Manila. July 3. 1902.
Secretary of War, Washington:
Referring to telegram from your
office of the 9Th instant, charges made
by Catholic Times" unfounded in ev-
cry essential particular. Untrue that
nearly all American teachers are Prot
estant preachers and proselyters The
fact is one division superintendent was
preaching in the United States a short
time. then became teacher. Possibly
two or three similar instances among
teachers. Bryan. head of Normal School,
was never clergyman and never occu-
pied pulpit here or anywhere.
American Catholic Teachers.
There are now two American Cath
Ollie teachers in School of instruction
normal school an. five in Manila city
schools. Native teachers in city num-
bering one hundred and forty, all Cath
olic. Untrue that teachers of nor
NAL schools are proselyting and that
school graduates only Protestants. Ex-
ceptional that any graduate is other than
Catholic
" Untrue Filipino is taught that Prot
estantism bringing enlightenment and
Catholicism ignorance and tyranny. No
reason to suppose that Stone superin-
tendent, and Oliver, principal. Manila
schools, bigoted or ti-Catholic. Both
deny it, as also the statement that grad
yates of Catholic University have been
refused place in Manila and sent into
the wilderness.
'' Private secretary of Commissioner
Moses Catholic; also private secretary
OF Atkinson, general superintendent of
public instruction; also three division
superintendent.
Statement by Father McKinnon.
Have shown your cable to Rev. Will
liam D. McKinnon. Catholic priest.
member OF the advisory board general
instruction, who confirms the statement
of facts made by me above. Law to in
augurate public school system forbids
religious instruction in schools or school
buildings by teachers, but allows same
three days per week in school buildings
by priest or preacher. out of school
hours, upon request of parents (see sec
tion 16, act IA. This intended as con-
cession to Catholic sentiment.
a. There are about 3,400 native teach
ers employed in the islands, all of
whom are Catholics. Teachers selected
without reference tc religion and not
allowed TO preach or teach religion in
schools. No discrimination against Cath
Ollie teachers. WRIGHT.
You will observe that the statements
of this dispatch were confirmed by
Father McKinnon, a priest officially con-
nected with the pubic school system,
and having the most thorough familiar
ity with the existing conditions in the
and who was formerly sec
retary to Archbishop Chapelle. the di-
rect representative OF the Holy See in
the Philippines.
Archbishop Ireland.
THE statements OF the dispatch ap-
pear to be further confirmed by the |
remarks which are published !
in the newspapers this morning, as
made by Archbishop Ireland in a speech |
delivered at convention OF the National |
Association at Minneapolis |
yesterday:
" How unguarded and reckless, and |
how reprehensible many statements pub
lished at the present time as from the
Philippine Islands. puTporting 10 tell OF
dreadful deeds OF cruelty and injustice,
Tor which on close examination. no
in fact is found. ! shall name
N this connection one instance, which
am particularly pleased to censure.
"a little while ago certain Catholic
newspapers raised the cry that prose-
ytism was the order Of the day in the
schools Of Manila, the chief officials. Il
was said, and the teachers in the nor
nal being regularly ordained ministers.
Who divided their time between the
table and tract reading.
The matter was investigated and
{ was discovered that the chief officials
md teachers in the normal we're not
and that their own good
euse, as well as the strict rules OF the
Government held them strictly TO secu-
ar matters
No Charges by Clergy. ;
None of the prelates of the Roman q
,atholic Church, whose duty it is to
the interests of their church {
nd who are familiar with the facts. I
ave made any such charges as are re- I
erred TO in the inquiry addressed to |
Governor Wright and in his answer !
hove quoted. / am confident that they !.
now better what the true facts are I
han the unknown and irresponsible
ourccs of these adverse statements.
''It is the purpose of tho Philippine .
oyernment TO maintain In the archI- h
elago the same kind Of free non-sec-
CASTOREA Forlntauts and Children.
The Kind Y0u Haye hIwavs Rnup,lt