Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-07-12
RELIGION NOT A Bar
Vice Governor Wright. of Philip.
pines Denies Recent Charges
in American Press.
More Than $500 Teachers in
Filipino Schools Are of Cath.
olic Faith.
Shipping Combine Plans a Fast
Freight Service Around the
World.

Washington, July 12.-The charge
made in recent issue of the Cathollc
Times to the effect that teachers in the
Philippines have been attempting to
convert Catholic pupils TO the Protest.
ant faith is met with prompt denial by
the war department..
Acting Gov. Wright shows there are
40 Catholic teachers employed by the
government in Manila and 3,400 III the
provinces. All three division superin-
tendents of public instruction are Cath
olics Teachers are not permitted to
teach religion in schools.
Secretary Root has addressed an
Identical letter to persons complaining
that teachers in the Philippines have
been proselytins: and attempting to
convert the Catholics to the Protestant
faith. 1t is as follows:
Il beg to advise you that on July 8
Vice Gov. Wright, the acting governor
OF the Philippines, was requested to re-
port by cable the facts bearing upon the
charge which has recently been eX-
tensively circulated, that official posi-
tons in the public school service in the
Philippines have been used for prose-
lyting purposes, especial reference be-
ing made to an article which had just
appeared in the Catholic Times.
The following dispatch has now been
received from Vice Gov. Wright, dated
at Manila, July 9:
Referring to telegram from your
office of 9Th istant. charges made by
Catholic Times unfounded in every es-
sential particular. Untrue that nearly
all American teachers are protestant
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 sirnilar instances among
teachers. Bryan, head of normal school,
was never Clergyman and never occu-
pied pulpit here or anywhere.
"'There are now two American Cath
olic teachers in school OF instruction
mormal schooD and five In Manila city
schools. Native teachers in city num-
bering 140, all Catholic. Untrue that
teachers of normal schools are prose-
lyting and that school graduates only
Protestants. Exceptional that any
graduate is other than Catholic.
".Untrue Filipino Is taught that
Professionalism bringing enlightenment
and Catholicism ignorance and tyran-
ny. No reason 10 suppose that Stone,
superintendent, and oliver, principal,
Manila schools. bigoted or anti-Cath-
Ollie. Both deny it, as also the state
ment that graduates of Catholic uni
versity have been refused place in Ma
Mia and sent into wilderness. Private
secretary of Commissioner Moses
Catholic; also private secretary of At
kinson, general superintendent of pub
lie instruction; also three division SUI
perintendents.
Have shown your cable to Rev.
William d. McRinnon, Catholic priest,
member of the advisory board gem
eral instruction. who confirms the
statement of facts made by me above.
Law to inaugurate public school
system folbids religious instruction in
schools or school buildings by teach
ers, but allows some three days per
week in school buildings, by priests or
preachers. out of school hours, upon
request of parents (see section 16, act
74. This intended as concession to
Catholic sentiment.
".There are about s,400 native teach
ers employed in the islands. all of
whom are Catholics. Teachers selected
without reference to religion and not
allowed to preach or teach religion in
schools. Not discrimination against
Catholic teachers. W1eIGHT.'
"You will observe that the state
ments of this dispatch We're confirmed
by Father McKinnon, prizes. officially
connected with the public school sys-
tenn, and having the most thorough
familiarity with the existing conditions
in the Philippines, and who was form
erly secretary to Archbishop Chapelle,
the direct representative of the holy
see in the Philippines. The statements
of the dispatch appear to be further
confirmed by remarks which are pub
lished in the newspapers this; morning
as made by Archbishop Ireland in
speech delivered at convention of the
National Educational association at
Minneapolis"