The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1921-02-23
OPPOSITION TO
HOUSE BILL 243
Prohibiting the Teaching of
Any Other Language
Than English
IN THE SCHOOLS
OF VERMONT
Chief Opposition By Those
Favoring Instruction in
French

strenuous opposition 10 H. Z45, pro-
hibiting the teaching OF any other Ian
guage than English in the schools of
Vermont furnished an interesting pub
lie hearing before the committee on ed
ucation in Representatives, hall at
Montpelier last evening. Although it
was Washington's birthday, and the
bill in question is labeled IAN act to
promote Americanization in schools,
long list of speakers seemed to think
that the prohibiting of teaching other
languages than English did not eonsti-
tute real Americanism.
The greater part of the opposition
came from those who were interested
in the paroehial schools of the state,
who declared that these schools were
truly patriotic and that they were do.
ing a great work in the state, but that
they would have to be discontinued
if the French language was barred, as
that was the chief purpose OF their
establishment and maintenance by the
French people.
Among the speakers were four gen.
tlemen from Winooski, Messrs. Joseph
Gauehon. J.B. E. Chevrier, Nectar
Huard and Louis Hongeon, who pro-
duced good impression by their ar
guments in favor OF the parochial
schools. Mr. Gauchon brought praeti-
cally the only applause OF the evening
when he expressed the loyalty OF the
5000 French people of Winoosk to
the United States, and said:
when Pershing stood at the tomb
of Lafayette. he said Lafayette, here
we arel'" "In our veins" continued
Mr.. Gauehon, runs the blood of La
fayette and the French people We
want to continue to teach the Ian
guage of our people in our schools,
while continuing loyal to our chosen
country"
Mr. Chevrier also got applause when
he said that during the 25 years that
ne had lived in Winooski. he had con
Quoted naturalization class and had
presented $50 men for naturalization
as American citizens.
you don't have to go to high school
10 learn Americanism, he declared in
telling Of many Frenchmen who had
become naturalized though never hav-
ing had the advantage Of learning the
English language in schools
Homer LEONE, representing the He
brew free school Of Burlington, opposed
the measure on the grounds that the
prohibition Of teaching other languages
than English would bring a barrier be-
tween children and parents, because
the children would not be able to learn
in the schools the mother tongue.
Mr. Bailey Of Colchester opposed the
bill, declaring that if the measure was
aimed 20 promote Americanism il must
be shown by its proponents that there
Is I'M Americanism in the state. II il
is proven that there Is such un Ameri-
cansm being promoted by the paro-
chial cshools of the state, as Mr.. Bal
lev said could not be shown, then the
thing to do Is 10 abolish the schools,
for disloyalty could he taught there in
the English language just as well as
in any other.
The sentiment of the speakers was
well summed mp in the words Of l.. r.
Noble. representative from West Rut
land. who said:
~srhe English language comes from
the French. Why esen the name Yer
mont IS French. and Montpelier too.
Then why should We prohibit the
teaching Of French in the statef !
don't think we need this bill
Mr Noble was followed by William
y. Theriault Of Montpelier who said
among other things Thank God
We don't need any such legislation in
Vermont; it is 100 per cent patriotic" :
Other speakers in opposition were;
Henry chase. representative of Ben
nington. Walter II Cleary of New
port: Edward Asselin. Harry w. Wit
tiers. ]. Rolfe Searles, all of st. Johns
bury. and s. y. Griscoll of ST. Albans,
who declared that French Canadian
families are putting the abandoned
farms Of northern Vermont on the map
and we should not discourage them by
not allowing the teaching of the
French language in the schools.
When all the others were through,
Marshall ]. Hapgood raised the only
voice in favor Of the bill. He said:
Il think that in the schools support
ed by the state. the English language
Is good enough