Norwich bulletin., 1918-04-25
.GOV. HO|COnlb Bars
 Foreign Languages
ISSUES PROCLAMATION GOVERN
 ING SCHOOLS
IS EFFECTIVE JULY FIRST
No Enemy Alien Shall Be Employee As Teacher or instructor In An, Public or Private School After That Date.


 Hartford. Conn., April 24.-The use of any language other than English for elementary instruction and pur- poses of administration in public or private schools in Connecticut will be prohibited after July 1 next, under the terms of proclamation issued late today by Governor Marcus H. Holcomb. The proclamation also pro hlblts any enemy alien from teaching Tn Connecticut public or private schools is permitted. The governors action does not prevent the teaching of a language, other than English, as a foreign language.
 The issuance of this proclamation by the governor followed receipt by him or report prepared by the committee on Americanization of the Connecticut state council of defense, in which facts concerning the use of foreign languages in schools in this state were included.
 In his proclamation the governor says it has come to his knowledge that in some public and private schools in the state instruction is be- ing given in required elementary stud- ies by use of a language other than English, including the language of certain foreign powers with whom the United States is now at war;
 The Proclamation.
 The proclamation follows: >
 Whereas, the statutes of the state of Connecticut require all children over seven and under sixteen years of age, with certain exceptions as to those over fourteen years, to be in- structed in reading, writing, spelling, English, grammar, geography, arith- metic and United States history, and to attend public day school regular ly during the hours and terms of such public school unless the parent or person having control of such child can show that the child is elsewhere receiving regularly thorough instruc- tion during such hours and terms in the studies taugh in the public schools, and make the failure to comply there with an offense punishable by pre- scribed penalties; and
 Whereas the manifest purpose of such requirements is to insure the enumerated studies for their own benefit and to prepare them to become useful, intelligent and safe citizens of ] this state and nation, and our consti- tuition provides that every person, as a condition of being admitted as an elector, must be able to read our con stitution and statutes in the English language; and,
 Whereas, that is an English speak ing nation, and it is clear to comply with the obvious intention and spirit of these statutes, the required instruc- tion of children should be given in the English language, and it requires no argument to prove that this is nec- essary for the safety of the state and nation; and
 Whereas, it has come to my know ledge that in some public and private schools in this state. said instruc- tion in the above enumerated studies is given by using a. language other than the English language, including the language of certain foreign powers l with whom the United States is now at war;
 Now, therefore. by virtue of the authority vested in me as governor of this state, hereby order all persons having charge, supervision or control of public and private schools in which the above enumerated studies are 1 taught, and all instructors and teach CTS in the public and private schools in this state, on and after July first, | 1918, to comply with the following: T. That in the instruction of the children therein, in reading, writing. spelling. English, grammar, geography, arithmetic and United State history, the EngllSn language snail be used 1 exclusively, both for purposes of in struction other than English may be used for purely devotional purposes in private schools.
 "2. No enemy alien shall be em- ployed as teacher or instructor in our public or private schools.
 "3. I hereby require all public of ficials to give speedy information of the violation of any provision of this proclamation that may come to their knowledge. I further require all mem bers and employees of the state board of education. of all school committees, or boards of school visitors, and of other like officials, assistance in the execution of this order.
 Given under my hand and seal. of the state at the capitol in Hartford, this twenty fourth day of April, in the year of our Lord, one thousand nine hundred and eighteen and of the in- dependence of the United States the one hundred and forty second. MARCUS H. HOLCOMB,
 Governor"