The Washington times., 1902-08-24
SAYS CHARGES ARE NOT
WARRANTED BY FACTS
Teachers Selected From All Denomina-
tions-But One Clergyman as Super
intendent-Rules Governing Scholars
and Instructors.

Ol -hcs q, ANp-. NAtlt upptdl GU III Nht
Catholic Citizen" of Milwaukee, an
article headed, Protestant Ministers
Running Philippine School System.
This article was an attack upon the
school system of the Philippine Islands,
alleging the use of the public school
system as a proselyting agency. and
generally charging prejudice against
Catholicism in the school administration
there. The article was referred, on May
S. to the civil governor of the Philippine
Islands. The War Department is just
in receipt of reply from Acting Civil
Governor Wright. inclosing an official
report from the acting General Super
Philippine Islands, as follows:
department of Public Instruction for
the Philippine Islands.
office of General Superintendent.
Manila, July T. 1902
ITO the Executive Secretary, Manila.
Sir: l have the honor to submit the
following statement of facts in reply
TO accusations against the conduct and
policy of this department, made in an
article in the Catholic Citizen issued
at Milwaukee. Wis, on May 8. 1902:
The statement that the Department
of Public Instruction is officered by
Protestant ministers is not warranted
by the facts. The general superinten-
dent. Fred W. Atkinson. is not Prot
estant clergyman. as charged, neither
has he any theological training. Mason
S. Stone, city superintendent of schools
for Manila, is not Presbyterian clergy
man. and is not a Presbyterian. E. B.
Bryan, principal of the Manila Normal
School, is not clergyman. and neither
OF these persons has ever studied in
theological institutions.
One Clergyman Superintendent.
"of the twenty persons who are now
or have been division superintendents of
schools, only one has ever been a
clergyman, and two others have had
little theological study. AS TO the
charge that seven out of the ten divi-
sion superintendents are Protestant
clergymen and have never taught school
in any place before coming to the Philip
pines, it should be noticed that there
are eighteen division superintendents
and the records show that every one of
them has had at least four years active
work as teacher or supervisor. prior to
neighborhood of nine to ten years, two
of the division superintendents having
had seventeen years experience includ-
ing in one case eight years as State
superintendent. and one has had twen-
ty-one years in active service
''At least three of the division superin-
tendents are not Protestant cIergymen.
as they were appointed from a list sub
mitted by prominent leaders of the
Roman Catholic Church in the United
States. In the selection of the other di-
vision superintendents, as well as the
selection OF all the teachers, training,
experience, ability and character were
the points considered.
Nine Hundred From States.
Nearly 800 hundred teachers were
appointed from the United States. About
half this number were appointed by the
general superintendent, from among the
ten or twelve thousand applications on
file in this office. In making appoint
ments, care was taken TO secure pro-
fessional teachers, i. e., men and women
who are in sympathy with the work and
are making it their vocation in life The
fixed requirements for appointment, as
tabulated in the circular letter TO appli-
cants. were:
Il Applicants must be either normal
or college graduates.
2 They must have had several years.
successful experience In school work and
be now engaged in teaching
3. Copies of testimonials and a late
photograph should accompny each ap-
plication
q. They must be physically sound and
able TO Withstand tropical climate, ana
willing 10 accept whatever location NAV
be assigned to them by the general su>
2erintendent. a certificate of good
health will be required of all ap-
pointees.'
I'm cases OF more important ap- |
ioiDtees. special and thorough investiga-
lions have been made. No religious dis |
tlnction has been made. nor has any |
race line been drawn. the sole desire |
being to secure competent. enthusiastic |
teachers Of the highest character. How |
ever. il was deemed wise to require that |
appointees shall be citizens of the Unit |
ed states.
Selected by Colleges.
THE rema' 'nder of the teachers were
appointed 5y prominent educational au-
thorities in the United States, to whom
the general superintendent delegated
limited appointing power. The same in
structions we're given to these parties as
governed the direct appointments The
list CT institutions and men TO whom ap-
pointing power was given is as fol-
lows.
"Arkansas-Universlty OF Arkansas.
"Alabama-University of Alabama
State superintendent
California; State Normal, San
Diego State Normal, Stanford Unive=
aity. University of California
Connecticut-Trinity College. Wes-
leyan College. Yale University. State
superintendent.
colorado-colorado College. State
Normal School lGrcely). State School OF
Mines, University Of Colorado.
District OF ColumbIa--Catholic Uni
yersi;y ot Amrrica. Georgetown Univer-
stty. " r Harris.
'illinois-Chicaro Insiitu:c. De Kalh
State isOrinal. EcoN College, Lake For
est University, Northwestern UEiyer J