Arizona republican., 1912-09-23
MESA
SCHOOL PROPOSITION
 WAS WITHDRAWN
No Religion Classes to Be Held in
 Buildings After School Hours.

There was quite a large crowd at the High School building Saturday night to listen to a proposition from F. T. Pomeroy, superintendent of the religion classes of the Mormon church MT Pomeroy had asked the school board for permission to hold religion classes immediately after the close of the schools. The board had decided to refer the question to a mass meeting of the people of the district.
 The meeting was called to order by II. L. Chandler, member of the school beard and MT Pomeroy was called upon to explain his proposition. This he proceeded to do at length He went into the plan of his church as to religious instruction given the young: said that they were taught no dogmas, only that given by the Bible. and the plan or right llVlnS. There were so many children In thelf classes and it was so difficult to ac- modate them in the buildings De- longing to the church of Latter Day saints. that it was decided if the people were willing, to detam the children for not to exceed a hall hour after the schools closed, i've days in the week. All children could stay for these classes if their parents wished, but no one would be oDllgeo to stay if any parent or guardian roade an objection. Those at the head of the proposition had only the good of the child at heart, and there was no ulterior motive behind the request. He read the program of the system of education given the child, in religion classes, and said that ln lis opinion the movement would De benefit to the community and was enc that would be adopted in many communities He was listened to throughout with respectful attention
 George $. Irwin spoke briefly in reply. pointing out that the motives of the request would be liable to be misconstrued However pure might De the intention of the leaders, the fact that the buildings were gwen over to one denomination for the purpose cf religious instruction, would create friction in the community that could not be abated in years, and which would react upon those who made 
 the proposition: that the suspicion | of sectarian teachings in the pubic schools would remain, even if the classes followed after school hours. T., H North followed. He, too, op- posed the proposition and gave ms reasons therefor Complaint was made that children were already crammed | by a multiplicity of studies m the
  public schools and he would oppose their being held after school no matter what denomination might be | in charge. He thought it was an uh- wise move.
 Rev. w. $. Crockett spoke along the same lines and made 1t plain 1 that he did not deem it wise to grant the permit. School buildings | naid for by all the people ot the | community, without regard to rehg- l ious affiliations, should be used Tor school purposes only. Otherwise there l would he more harm done than good. | While he stood for everything that would benefit the child. mentally and morally, he could not approve the plan proposed He believed the home was the place to teach the child right living.
 ]. T. Lesueur, ex-president Of the | church of Latter Day Saints, spoke briefly. While he did not believe the | harm that had been suggested was to be feared, yet, as a considerable humber of the people opposed the use of the school buildings for re- | ligious teaching, he moved that the | school board be instructed to let
 matters stand as they were and not
 grant the request. The motion was | carried unanimously and the people | then gave MT. Lesueur a vote of | thanks for his wise stand in the