The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-09-13
Public Schools and parochiaI Schools.

To THE EDITOR OF THE SuN-Sir: Your editorial
in to day paper entitled Fact Not Theory. treats
OF a subject dear to the hearts OF all Americans.
Catholic. Protestant and intde though they can
never hope to agree upon IT, No solution. except
by compromise. is possible.
Allow me TO suggest . practical disposition Of the
question. 1t is that has been in force for
grea, many years In the city OF Philadelphia. W.T.
ness the moral training given to the orphan boys In
Girard College In the heart OF that city II Is
training which II seems to me, Is necessary In our
public schools. and would be unobjectionabe to
any part of our citizens OF whatever religious belief
and would enable the future voter 70 knowt the DIFF
ference between right and wrOng-to do right be
cause 1t Is right. and not solely because to do
certain wrong would mean punishment.
believe that people OF influence who have the
good OF the children at heart could profit By the
example set by Stephen Grard and formuat"
a course OF moral training In our public schools
which would conflict with no dogma, yet convey
the good that may be found In the more specific
rells ious training.
While we cannot expect our mixed people 10 agree
upon any code which would be rel.g ous In charac-
ter 1t is our duty TO see that the children should
not be denied in the conflict of opinion. that train
ing which is for their own good and for the bes,
interests OF the nation, AMERICAN
BROOKLYN. Sept. o.
To Tnx EDITOR OF THx suN-sn: was pleased
Now. let me give my experience az to the product
OF parochlel schools In contrast to our American
public schools.
Having been born and brought up in this city
had for my companions. when a boy number Of
boys who attended the parochial school. and more
proficient swcarers l never met. In fact, II was
the most natural thing In the world for them 10
breathe out oaths and to trampc under foot the
Commandments they had been taught to obey
II religion Is TO be taught to our boys and girls
let 1t b. aught in the home where the best teaching
should be and can be inculcAted or In the Sunday
school where many children are laying the foun
dation OF a pure and noble character. rhe Amer
can people owe great deal 10 THE SUN for its etN
cIent treatment OF this delicate, but important,
subject. JOHN FRosCEL
NEg YORK. Sept o.
To TIN EDITOR or THE SuH-Sfr. Allow me, IN
answer to your suggestion of obtaining statistics 10
show the comparative practical results OF paroeais
and public school education, to stale the limitation
OF that method and the conditions to be fulAllrd
before II can give any satisfactory result
The comparison must be confined TO Irish Cathn,
lies in the parochial schools and In the public school
system Practical conditions. racial temprra
mcntS and traditions as well rs various types "a
Sathrtlc influences. must all be taken into III" sc
cot NJ As causes Of differences In morals cisaracl&
Intellect and position
Tho attendance on parochlal schools IS MANI,
iish 'o'hohC' III thc pIDHC HnOOS We IL
various elements OF different races, Of t'mptrf
mcnts that Incline to different kinds OF work mn
OF different Industrial and social position S,lr'
some have been established here more recent
than others. The parents OF parochinl hcHoo.
children are nearly al In the same social sphrr
and follow about the same lines OF work. II 80
compare the perOchial schools with the publ
schools a. body. we will have on one silr an a.
tendance from one racial. social and ntliStT' |
sphere. and on the other nm attendance compose
OF all races and OF all degrees OF position, VIII
this method u would be extremely d1icut TO ob
tain fAcu and ngurrs thaI should be nscHbcd ="
differences OF education and to nothing else.
The Irish Catholics Of both systems are thr same
people, inhcfiting thu ideals Of ndrty 20
marital relations. The graduates Of oIr sJstrH
are no more tempted by money or luxury rhsi
are the graduates Of the other Both bodies al
now equally removed from he extreme poNcT}
that teinpts TO robbery and breeds brutality o..
graduate has no more opportunity or family Inn
enre than has the other. N the product ~ one
system Is morally. or otherwise, inferior 10 tEr
product Of the other, We may blame the system
that produces. an Inferior class, while usins tho
same material. I'd HnaAk
DUUqLAsroa, L. J.. Sept 3