The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-08-30
CATHOLIC PAROCHIAL SCHOOLS.
Various Testimony ~ to Their Excellence
Compared With Public schools.

To THE EDITOR OF THE SuN-,Sfr: Tho Catholic
Schoolgirl" Is sure that II tho statistics Of criminals
In this country during the last three or four decades
werc gathered II would be demonstrated that the
percentage who obtained their early training In
Catholic schools Is Enthusiastically small" These
data ought TO DO obtalnsble concerning. at least.
the convicts now in prison. but question II the
number and percentage would DO as small as she
assumes.
do not say this In the way Of criticism OF the
Catholic schools for their maintenance by Catholics
as a religious duty deserves commendation. am
told however. that some Of the worst hoodlums Of
tho town come from these schools. Nor Is this
surprising. We all know that religious precept
of itself does not correct or destroy evil Tendencies
and probably there are many hard cases" In tho
Catholic schools-sent there. perhaps for the very
reason that they are incorrtgibe under public
school tuition.
As Catholic young man remarked to me recently.
throw stone into crowd OF oAfers and hoodlums
about rum shop and you Will be sure TO hit q
parochial school graduate"
Personally, / will add. my experience has been
different. have found Catholic school boys among
the best employed BY me. BuslNKss MAN.
NEW YORK. Aug. 20.
To THE EDITOR OF TIE SuS-sfr: I have read
with great interest a Catholic Schoolgirls
spirited defense Of the Catholic schools and while
l have no desire 70 butt In" on this parochlal
heartiest approval Of the last paragraph Of that
lady's letter.
With full recognition OF the great value Of our
public school system must confess disappoint-
ment. after many years experience as an once
manager, with the deficiency in accomplishment Of
the purpose evidently aimed at--a full general
education.
Let our public school children be thoroughly
grounded In tho three Rs" and moro satisfactory
results will DO attained for them than from tho
present system OF questionable usefulness-the
stulnQ OF their poor little noodles with the Lord
knows what. better than they.
Don't let US forget that the beginning OF this
great republic OF ours was founded mainly on
common school" education. and do give the kids"
a chance to know where they are At when they
ind themselves up against the business proposition.
NEW YORK. Aug. 70. J. W. Z.
To THE EprroR OF TIE SuN-Sir: In my opinion
Mrs Clarence Mackay Tin tho right In regarding tho
Roman Catholic psrochiai school . menace 70 the
nation.
Pirst of all, they arc unnecessary. The public
schools are for all the people, whether Roman
Catholic, Protestant or Hebrew. In public educa-
ton the State recognizes no religion.
Tho Roman Catholic Church maintains that the
public schools arc not n schools In which 70 bring
up the youth OF this country. consequently erccts
schools In every parish possible In order 10 edu-
cate the young OF its faith. OF course. In a free
country tho Church has tho right to do this. but
then we also have the right TO express opinion
al to what we believe 10 be menace to the nation.
believe that the building Of these parochal schools
Is direct slap at the schools supported by the
State. +. x. NJ.
NEW YORK, Aug. %.