Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-03-19

First: The statement that catho-
lies are in danger of accommodation
II their children are sent to the public
schools In the city of Bangor 35 per
cent. of the children attending the
public schools are Roman Catholics.
What little education | have, re-
ceived in those schools. | am the
father of five daughters, four of them
are graduates of the Bangor High
school and the firth is now a Junior
in that school and / now tell YOU that
none of us were ever accommodated.
ever threatened with accommodation
ever had any fear of communication
and all today are Roman Catholics.
Bangor has given To the church
number of priests and without ex-
ception, they all received a part of
their education in the public schools.
Children of parochial schools in Ban
gor pursue the same studies as those
Of public schools, have the same tests
supplied by the same public school
committee and are admitted to the
High school of Bangor on the diplo-
mas issued by the teachers of the par
ish schools. In addition to the studies
of the public schools they are also
taught Bible history and Christian
doctrine, two studies that most of us
will admit are important, and patriot
ism is not neglected, and let me say
right here that the five young ladies
to whom ! Just referred attended the
parochial schools previous to enter
ing the High school, and | say with
good deal of pride, that upon their
graduation from the Parochial school,
no five girls in this broad and good
State of Maine could sing the Star
Spangled Banner or My Country, 'fis
of Thee" with more sincerity more
enthusiasm, or figuratively speaking
with better harmony than they, and
the same is true of all graduates of
these, schools.
But what is the use discussing that
statement you all know, that in any
community where there are Catholic
families their children attend the pub
lie schools. here in Augusta many
Catholic children attend the public
schools. so YOU see the falsitY of that
accusation
AS TO the management of the parish
affairs | cannot understand how any
man would have the presumption to
say that he knows nothing about the
affairs of his parish and on the
strength of this statement ask for d
change in management, it is con-
fesson on his part that he is Woe
fully uninterested in the work of the
church and not a regular attendant at
her services. Annually in each church
in the diocese Il most concise state
ment is read from the pulpit and any
man who attends will know to the
smallest detail what monies have been
received and from what sources, and
what monies have been paid out and
for what purposes. This is a fact that
cannot be denied.
Gentlemen. the particular statement
of this man that he represents 100000
French speaking Catholics is, [ believe,
untrue. First, because there is not
that number of French Catholics in
the State, and of the French speaking
people he represents only fraction.
| know a great number of that race
who are opposed to him and his meth
eds, and / believe there are French
Americans, members of this House.
who are opposed to the proposed
amendment and in favor of the bill
as reported by Your judiciary commit
Tee. lJOtS he COME mere bdChbu w
petitions of 100000 people? No, He
comes here with a crowd of strong
lunged, heavy listed men, who applaud
most vigorously not his criticism of the
Corporation Sole, but his attacks on
the parish priests of his own flesh and
blood. in French parishes. He has said
nothing against the priests of the Eng
lish speaking parishes. When in his
remarks he minated that when
schools and churches We're built there
was graft Ooh. that contemplate word)
for the priests who built them, this
insinuation was followed by boisterous
applause. and | thought. and these
men who are now assailed by their
own people are the followers Of Pere
Marquette and the French mission
aries, so many of whom gave tile best
that was in them for their fellow men,
and in return We're masSacred by the
cruel savage. But, gentlemen, no
massacre of missionaries by the saw
ages was half so cruel as this attempt
ed assassination of the character of
the priests into whose care the spiritual
welfare of these men has been en-
trusted But | say. God forgive them,
and | know that many times the
priest assailed have offered up to our
common Creator prayers for their for
giVeness.
Just word as to the sentiment of
the Catholic people of the Penobscot.
In the city of Bangor there are about
5000 English speaking Catholics; we
have two beautiful churches. st,
Johns, the church which ] attend is
second to none east of Boston as TO
grandeur and magniiicence. dedicated
to Cod and given to the church au-
thorities, more than so years ago by
men who are now for the most part
dead; we have a beautiful school Just
completed that is worth $1,000. 900. there
are also parishes in Brewer, 0ronO,
old Town. Millnocket, Dexter. Lin
coin. and several other towns and from
none of these have ] heard a murmur
of discomfort and in behalf of them
and thousands of others | protest
against any amendment to the new
draft as submitted to us by disinter
ested men and men of judicial minds
and training.
Gentlemen we are willing 10 gre up
IN arrangement that is most excellent
and which given general satisfaction,
and accept modified law, as reported
by your committee and under Which ]