The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-10-07
THE QUESTION OFTHE SCHOOLS.
Tho View OF tho Director Of Roman
Catholic school.

Catholic school.
To THE EDITOR or The SUN Tho
letter on Religious Education published
In The Sun. from the Rev. Mr.. Gesr. vicar
OF st. Pauls Chapel. was rightly honored by
editorial mention. 1t is a forcible statement.
deserving Of profound consideration from
every one desiring the perpetuity OF Chris
tian teaching as q dominant force In the
American Republic. The address which
he delivered some time ago before the Sons
Of the American Revolution has been often
quoted in Catholic circles. as worthy OF COM
parison with the best declarations on the
subject. Hence his present letter 10 to be
regarded as a more mature and deliberate
statement Of con victions formed after care
full investigation
The late Cardinal Manning and his sue
cessor. Cardinal Vaughan. were often found
side by side with their Anglican brethren
defending the system by law established IN
England. which allows public money to be
given for results Of examinations IN the SEQ
ular branches Of study. and which invites
the cooperation OF Church workers In the
cause Of public education. With US In the
United States the parish school Is barely
tolerated, because 1t represents the oonstitu-
tional rights of citizens who year after year
have spent their own money amounting to
No public official has ever proposed even q
vote Of thanks to these citizens. who should
be classified at least as philanthropists In
education. No educational report yet pub
lished in the city or State Of New York has
contained distinct mention OF the parish
schools The Regents are permitted TO give
honorable distinction to Catholic aoade mics
that win credit in public examinations. But
the parish school stands for the most i'm
portant part or educational work. namely
the elementary studies for the children OF the
masses whose homes are often in the crowded
tenement districts.
The s9 So prohibition q the consti7
has these words: Other than for examina-
tion and inspection" and it is important to
state that there is considerable scope for a
legal argument on the exact meaning Of this
Will the discussion that led to their Insertion.
What was chiefly In the mind OF the Constl-
tutional convention had for Its objective
money for any form Of Religious or denomi-
national teaching. and some OF the dele gates
were surprised to find after they had voted
at least ambiguous. and might be twisted
to mean something opposed to their con-
vlctions. II would seem that examination
Constitution, even for schools wholly Or in
religious denomination. This examination
s"es for BE to
When the select committee appointed at
the close Of the last Legislature, containing
five Senators and seven Members OF
tions for improving, the educational laws
of New York State, there will be an excellent
opportunit y to take up the question hero
suggested concerning the correct interpreted
ton Of Article TX. section 4, Of the Constitu-
ton. Mr.. Geer and his powerful friends in
the Episcopal Church may discover that
there is still a way to enlarge the public sys-
tenn Of education without disbursement
to the advocates Of religious training By
removing legal barriers certain anita goniems
may be obliterated which are now kept alive
by univ determinations.
A long time ago, In the year ls41. when the
Hon. John c. Spencer was Secretary Of State
and also eX-offlcio Superintendent Of Public
Schools the Catholic citizens OF New York
city sent memorial to the Legislature. With
the approval OF the illustrious Archbishop
Hughes 1t was stated that the managers OF
Catholic schools would afford every facility
OF visitation and inspection to the duly ap-
pointed agents OF the State, to guard against
abuses and render their schools in every
respect free from objection but no arrange
ment was effected.
May we hope that the Legislature Of 1904
will approach this question with larger
wisdom and a more effective purpose to
do Justice TO all classes Of citizensp in the
words OF Mr., Geer. let us have good. Ameri-
can fair play"
THOMAS MCMILLAN, c. 9. p,
Director Of st. Pauls School,