Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-12-19

through inability to anticipate violation Of the
| lsw although Mr.. Walker regards the arrange
ment made ly the authorities there as in viola
| ton Of the policy Of our government Further,
where UNCONVENTIONAL aid is extended in this
or any other county, the state superintendent
has the right and duty to call attention to this
Eas a misdinecI0n OF funds before further steps
\ are taken for enforcement Of the law.
| ''In accordance with this authority, therefore,
authorities, on October 6, to make necessary
/ changes In their present arrangement in order
/ gaIity OF thei- school regulation.
| II am writing TO each school board in the
/ state TO call attention to the legal question IN
volved in order that we may put our houses
/ in order and be saved possible legal and fl
| nPncial embarrassment The particular ques-
| cation renting two school buildings from the
| Catholic church, with tie understanding that
/ religious exercises should De permitted outside
i Of school hours and only teachers OF that faith
i appointed 70 those schools.
/ ''Of course. the law applies in all counties
i and TO all Sahools and denomina lions impair
/ TALLY Unofficislly, have been told that other
| counties and towns have made contracts with
teaching children. Such instances. in the opin-
/ ion Of the attorney general, are 'violative OF
| the same principle and should be eliminated en-
| tirely.' The use OF churches for school build
| ings. whether by negro or white pupils, and
/ buildings owned by churches. is also declared 10
be corrected
Gas will be seen, this opinion affects large
number Of DIR towns and perhaps majority OF
I
Il time may be siyen for compliance but that ar
i engagements should he made to terminate any
| church or UNCONVENTIONAL connection at the
/ earliest time convenient with economy.
| Practically none Of these UNCONVENTIONAL
connections lave been made within the last
| few years. but date back, a rule, to the
Il beginning Of the public school system IN 1872
"Of course, the state department has never
! sent any funis to any sectarian school, and has
/ warned the boards whenever informed of even
/ apparent infringement upon the law upon their
/ real II. however. have
| any sectarian connections. mentioned, in the
| schools under your Jurisdiction. please see that
the present school year is unofficiaily given
me as reasonable time limit. Truly yours.
/ state Superintendent Of Schools
| ANOTHER LETTER. ..,. -.
/ ''To the Superintendent:
| November Is, 1916.
''PIease see that your board Of education
gives careful consideration to this opinion of the
attorney-general. and makes adjustment II nee
/ nancial embarrassment:
Hon. Clifford Walker. AttOrney,Generai. state
! Dear Sir: Some months ago rumor reached
board OF education was aiding two Catholic
L schools. These Savannah schools being estab-
/ lished before the constitutional convention of
Il 1871, form an independent local system. and in
consequence. neither I nor any supervisor has
/ been authorized 70 inspect them. I wrote the
| president OF the board there at once however.
and asked in the charges were true. He gave
/
i IL a. his opinion that the facts referred to
Il did not constitute n violation Of the law. and.
| since he is q distinguished eX-Judge Of the SUI
| preme court. I felt sure that this must be cor
| rect. Nevertheless, wrote the superintendent
asking him to that no sectarian schools there
/ were Illegally aided.
/ ''The charges still being made in a weekly
| publication. I asked personally and by letter,
| members Of the general assembly 10 appoint a
1 committee 20 look into the matter. since !
| wanted 20 know IL n ! had any illegal con-
nection with the situation. but il was refused.
| 1T is probable the question raised could not
affect the Catholics who found in only r
few urban counties. much others. In the
past years various churches. chiefly Rartist and
/ Methodist. have built schools in cities and
towns and especially in sparsely settled rural
used for schools and churches. religious serv-
ices under the nlea Of necessity. II there is
any law 20 authorize me 10 discontinue send
ing funds "a Savannah. the same rule would
| church connection is found-probably from n
majority Of the counties Of the state-and I
| wish 20 be very sure that the law means for
me to take tuch n stem before causing such
/ los in property and closing many schools
for months. II not for years
| These difficulties were not caused bv any
/ act OF mine. but though gradually diminishing.
| have been in Georgia for forty years. I re-
/ citizen should present the Savannah In
| proper form. to ask that the question be set
| tied legally. either by the courts judicial
! opinion. This has now been done for the first
| find statements from both sides and I respect
| fully request that you advise as 10 whether
/ the Savannah school authorities are violating
I the law and whether or not I am authorized
/ for this reason 20 discontinue sending state
/ funds 10 that system.
"M. L. BRITAIN,
estate Superintendent OF Sehools!s