The Irish standard., 1903-11-21
Governor Taft Objected,

After the establishment of the pub
lie school system in the Philippines it
was discovered that in many places
the lack of cooperation of the padre,
or his direct opposition, interfered
most seriously with the school attend
ance. This state of affairs was fire,
quently discussed at teachers meet
ings. A paper read by an American
division superintendent at one Of these
gatherings is so interesting that l
shall quote few passages from it.
Among other things, he said: "While
the president is the first man in the
community in name, he is by no
means the first man in influence. The
padre comes first. This is fact, not
Il theory. The condition must be faced
by every teacher who enters pueblo;
and whether he is a Catholic or Prot
estant he should know something of
the peculiar relationship in which the
padre stands to his flock. With re-
ligion, as such, the American teacher
has no official relation. He may not
use the public schools either to prom
ulgate Or attack any religious system.
But the religion of the islands he can
not afford to be ignorant Of. He will
see the whole community focking to
the church and with persistence he
would like to see displayed in school
matters. He will see professions
move past his school house and resi-
dence with solemnity and dignity
which may perhaps seem out of keep
ing with certain features which he
may deem grotesque. There is evil
IDENTIFY force at work here stronger
than he can ever hope to exert. 1t
bellooves him to understand what it
is, and if possible to make use of it,
and this can be done solely through
obtaining the good will of the padre
The padre is welcoming you warmly
to his pueblo; if it is near dinner time
he is ordering an extra place for you
at table; and more than like he will
ask you to make the conventa (rectory)
your place of residence until you have
been able to find suitable house.
Ought this offer of friendliness be
treated lightly because you have al
| ways been opposed to the system this
man represents, or because you have
other personal beliefs, or because you
have heard tales about conduct on his
part? 1t is to be answered mo- to
every one of these questions. Witt
the padre as your friend, you are sure
! of success; with the padre workin.
! against you, you are nearly sure tt
make a failure, or, to state it too mild
| ly. your success can never be complete
| And be sure the padre, With all his
! outward politeness, is not yours unit.
| YOU have Won him. He is watching
you, be assured, in your work, to fine
out what is to be your influence upol
his spiritual children. 10 the. padre
! comes all the information in the pue
bio that he cares to receive. You
only safety is in what, anyhow, is o.
real obligation, by the terms of you
appointment-a strict neutrality when
| in school and close reticence whel
out. And, more positively, a cultiva
ton with tact and Judgment Of cor
dial relations with the padre whicl
will make him personally your friend
cannot go into details as to just how
this can be achieved but may throw
out the hint that candle placed il
the window of your house when, OF
some fiesta, when the whole pueblo i.
decorated, the procession is to pas.
by, will go long way toward placing
J you in favor. And be assured that til,