New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-07-12
THE TEACHERS DEPENDED.
CHARGES OF PROSECUTING REFUTED
BY SECRETARY ROOT AND GOV
ERNOR WRIGHT.

Washington. July u.-Secretary Root has ad-
dressed the following letter 10 persons who have
complained that teachers in the Philippines have
been PROSECUTING and attempting 20 convert Cath
oics 10 the Protestant religion:
I beg 10 advise you that on the 5th OF July Vice
Governor Wright, the Acting Governor or the
FhpPnes was reqHestea 10 rePIFJ ~ e&e ecsrfI
been extensively circulated that official positions
eHee being made to AN arcIe Which had just ap
patch has now been received from Governor WTght;
Secretary OF War, Washington.
Referring to telegram from your once OF s eea
in every essential particular. Untrue that nearly
proseyters. The fact is one division superintendent
was preaching in the United States short time,
Instances among teachers Bryan. head OF normal
school. was never clergyman. and never occupied
American Catholic teachers in school OF instruction
Native teachers in city Numbering one hundred and
forty. all Catholic. Untrue that teachers of normal
only Protestants. Exceptional that any graduate
that professionalism bringing enllghtenInent anu
Catholicism ignorance and tyranny. No reason to
pTincipa Manila schools. bigoted or anti Catholic
6ot deay IT as asG the a1 fhat @
Manila and sent into the wilderness, private sec
waite secretary Of Atkinson general superintendent
OF public Instruction. also three division superin-
lam D. McKinnon. Catholic priest a member of
the ADVISORY board general instruction VINO con
Law to inaugurate public school system forbids re-
by teachers but allows same three days per week
in school buildings, by priests or preachers out OF
1S Act 20 This intended as concession e3 to Cath
ers employed in the islands. all of whom Cath
olics Teachers selected without reference to re-
ligion in schools No discrimination against Saith
You will observe that the statements of this dis
patch were confirmed by Father Mckinnon,
system, and having the most thorough familiarity
with the existing conditions in the philippines and
Pelle the direct representative of the Holy See in
appear to be further confirmed by. remarks which
published In the newspapers this morning as
at c 9 of the National Educational AS
ISOLATION at Minneapolis
The Secretary then quotes from the address of
Archbishop Ireland. and continues:
None OF the prelates of the Roman Catholic
Church whose duty it is to safeguard the interests
of their Church. and who familiar with the
TO in the inquiry addressed to Governor Wright
bt b MS o bete Wba b rue fs a
the unknown and irresponsible sources of these ad-
1t is the purpose of the Philippine Government
to maintain in the archipelago the same kind of
free non-sectarian instruction which exists in the
United States. and which has proved TO be for the
ment means, far as it possibly can. to give edu-
eation to the people Of me Islands and It will
any any church or sect 1t does not mean that any
oHlcef or @! pupHc SCnool system snail
Church whatever whether Catholic or Protestant
The laws already enacted in the Philippine Islands
contain the following provision
mo teacher other person shall teach or crit-
else the doctrines OF any church. religious
denomination, or shall attempt to influence the
pupils for against any church or religious sect
in any public school established under this act II
any teacher shall Intentionally violate this section
he she shah, after due hearing. be dismissed
from the public service
Conformity to this provision in the spirit well
in the letter. will be strictly required. | think
the government of the Philippines is entitled ask
that citizens of the United States shall not assume
or believe upon mere runner and improved state
ments that the government is not in good faith
| enforcing this law which 1t has made.