Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1904-11-29
positive" EVIDENCE,

"POSlllNE ENlDENIE'
The Tribune has Just obtained what
II calls positive evidence Of Church
domination Of the public schools. II is
in the form Of an alleged circular from
stake board OF Religion class work. to
some school teachers IN a certain stake.
In the circular teachers are asked TO
take hold OF religion class work. be-
cause they are most eminenty fitted
for that kind OF work And that Is the
positive evidence OF Church influence
IN the public schools
We could name teachers-non-' Nor
mons"-who take part in Sunday school
work, presumably because they are
emlnenty fitted for that kind OF work,
Is that evidence, positive or otherwise
Of ecclesiastical influence IN the public
schools9 a teacher can we hope en-
gage In Sunday school WORK. temper
ance work, Young Mems Christian As
ISOLATION. and Religion class work, as
far az these do not interfere With his,
or her, duties as a teacher
We admit that the alleged circular Is
not penned IN tho best possible phrase
ology. but It is clear enough to convey
tho idea that the teaching Of religion to
mormon" children Is considered an Im-
portant work and that those best COM
petent to teach are requested to do so
az a labor OF love and self-sacrlhce.
That IL all there ia to that alleged cir
GUAR. The fact that the rabld anti-"Mor-
mon" organ produces It as positive
evidence" OF Church influence In the
public schools is positive evidence that
It has no proof Of the allegation. For
n II had proof It would have pro-
duced It long ago, and not resorted to
an argument the fallacy Of which is so
transparent.
with regard 10 Religion class work,
Il Is not In any way connected with
the public schools. There is no Sec
rtcy about f. nothing to be obtained
by accident" An Is free and open az
the beautiful view Of the valley from
the City and County building on a
clear, sunny day We claim that the
'Mormons have perfect liberty TO
teach their children the religious prin-
cipes that are dear to them. and to do
so. at home. In Sunday schools. or re-
llgion classes,as long as nobodys rights
arc lnierfered with. And that Is all we
do claim.
We are aware that school houses
have. IN some instances, been used for
Religion class work after school hours,
when trustees have given their permits
sion, and where there IS no objection to
It. as in places where srIfo-breeders
have not succeeded In getting IN their
work, we can see no harm IN that
School houses are sometimes used for IL
luhu8leu leVtu'es' "iN ''"N' F''
without fatal consequences 10 'u'
schools But where such objection Is
made, It would probably be WISDOM lor
the majority Of the citizens 10 waive
their possible rights IN the matter IN tue
interests Of peace and good WILL par
tlcularly as In most places o'"'r
houses can be obtained lo' pun
poses Of religious instruction me
question Of "a place M when 10 no'u
religion classes is. after an a s'i''''
matter.
one thing rs certain Church oilelals
have no desire TO interfere 10 any nan-
ner with the public schools ana neNe'
have interfered with them II ~ iso-
lated instances, zeal not wisely direct
ed has caused friction this mas been
as much deplored by the leaders OF lne
Church as by any class OF citizens ana
their effort has always been direc'eo
toward the rectihcation OF mistakes ana
the restoration OF harmony ana good
viii
The schools themselves furnish the
best evidence of the impartiullty with
which they are conducted In Salt Lake
city at least IS per cent OF the teachers
are nom Mormon, and not complaint
was ever heard from Mormons' on