The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1921-07-16

SUCCESSFUL CAMPAIGN OF RE-
LIGIoUs PREJUDICE IN THE
soUTH-sAYs STATE Is NOT Al
CHRISTIAN COMMONWEALTH.
The Brooklyn Tablet publishes the
following letter from Bishop Kelley, of
Savannah, Ca:
Savannah, Ca, June Fl, 1921.
To the Editor of THE TABLET:
Dear Sir: I have always been op-
posed to the prevalent habit of await
ing until after death to give express
sion to appreciation of the singular
merits of men. These post-mortem
eulogies should have found expression
during the lifetime of the person.
For this and divers other good rea-
sons, I propose just now to recount
the patriotism, exquisite charity and
Christian tolerance of the School
Board of Atlanta. I cannot be accused
of any other motive save that of do
ing justice to these devoted champions
Of religious tolerance. l think-nay,
suggest-that a tablet of bronze
Though in very truth brass would be
more appropriately, should be erected
and placed in some conspicuous place,
which would tell to future and yet un-
born generations the matchless story
Of their unwearied zeal in the cause
of charity and true tolerance. | might
hazard the idea, too, that most suit
able place for this tablet where, and
where alone, it would be most appro-
pirate, would be the State Institution
for the Predetermined at Milledge-
vile.
Lord Byron a Priest?
The Board recently elected a new
Superintendent Of the Public Schools
of Atlanta, because the late Superin.
tendent refused to promise to dismiss
Catholics from the ranks Of teachers.
They inaugurated their administration
by dismissing two Principals because
they were Catholics, and they have
declared that they propose to get rid
of all Catholic teachers. One of these
Catholic ladies was warned in time to
remove from her schoolroom two pic
tures-"one Of a Catholic Church and
the other of a Catholic Priest" 1t
happened that one of the pictures was
of the Rheims Cathedral, and the 9TH
er was picture Of Lord Byron! The
offending pictures were taken down
from the walls, and peace once more
reigned. One can readily see what
debt of gratitude is due this discrim-
mating and careful Board. What
dreadful impressions would have been
made on the minds of these future
American citizens by the daily sight
of a Roman Catholic Cathedral, and
Father" Byron!
But Georgia has other Boards of
Education, and I do not think a mere
brass tablet would do justice to their
deeds and memories. Time might
corrode the metal. would prefer
that some stately obelisk should be
erected to commemorate the patriot
ism of a Southwest Georgia Board
Now, here is the story:
One day a youth, destined mayhap
for Congress or the Legislature, came
home and at once sought his father.
"Pop," said he, ''the teacher say that
this here earth is shaped like er or
ange, and that it keeps on turnin'
round all the time"
"She amt never done said no SIGH
foolishness," replied the father.
"Clare to God, she done said it,"
said the boy. =
"Then why don't we-uns fall off"
was the fathers triumphant answer.
The boy persisted in his statement
and his father babe him bring the
Bible. When it was brought, the
father, who, though a member Of the
Board of Education, could neither
read nor write, made the boy read a
portion of it to him. Thoroughly sat
isfed with the Biblical statements,
the father had a meeting of the
Board called and laid the matter be-
fore them. They we're amazed, and
discredited the story, but determined
to investigate the matter, and so sent
for the teacher.
When she was asked to deny the
charge, to their very great surprise
she repeated the statement, saying
that, of course the earth was of a
spherical form (she had to explain
the meaning of these words), and
that it revolved on it's own axis.
To Prove the World is Flat.
She happened to be a good Baptist,
and could not be at once dismissed
by the Board on account of religious
views. When she left, the room went
into executive session, and at last ap-
pointed a committee, who were in
structed to investigate her statements,
and then recommend what action the
Board should take. After mature de-
liberation, the committee determined
on test of the teachers absurd
charge At night they wended their
way to spot on tho edge of a swamp,
and having brought with them a large
yellow pumpkin, they selected stump
of a large water oak and carefully
placed the pumpkin in the exact cen
ter of the top of the stump. Then,
lighting their pipes, they sought con-
venient logs and sat watching the
pumpkin and the stump.
The bright rays of the rising sun
fell on the tired eyes and weary faces
of the men. huf what was fatjo1a IN