The Donaldsonville chief., 1922-04-22
DENIES SCORING SCHOOLS.
Senator Ransdell Says Speech Did
Not Attack Public Education.

Sometime ago the Presidents Co.
Operative Club of New Orleans
adopted resolutions, expressing dis.
approval of Senator Ransdells al
legged attack on the public schools in
a speech delivered in Thibodaux in
| 1920. The senator, a few days ago.
wrote letter to the club in which
he says:
"April 7, 1922.
"The Presidents Cooperative Club
! New Orleans, La:
! "Dear Sirs-I note in the Times
Picayune Of the 4th that resolutions
were passed by your club on the third
instant expressing disapproval of me
for an alleged attack on the public
school system of Louisiana, made
during a speech at Thibodaux in
1920. The resolution gives as its
basis an editorial in the People,
Gazette of Thibodaux, October 23
1920, entitled: Senator Ransdell and
the Public Schools
"This editorial does not convey the
meaning | intended to give my hear
ers, though I have no doubt the au-
thor of it was sincere in the con-
struction he placed upon what | said,
for | did discuss the evils of social
ism, I. w. W.ism, and Bolshevism,
and during the same address spoke
about education-public and private.
"Unfortunately the speech was de-
livered without notes or previous
preparation in writing, hence 7 am
unable to furnish a copy Of it. You
may rest assured that I did not
intend to charge, as stated in the ed
itorial, that the public school sys-
item was lin very large measure
Irresponsible for the present day ten
deneies towards Socialism, I. W.
W.ism and Bolshevism.'
81 sincerely regret that any such
misconception of my real position to-
wards public education has arisen.
I have never opposed public schools;
lhave voted in favor of special taxes
for them whenever the question was
presented; and have always appre-
ciated the great benefits of popular
education to the youth of the land.
Throughout my entire life l have
been a friend to public schools, which
constitute the only system Of general
education in this country where peo-
lple are so divided in their religious
opinions and there are many with
fout any religion. Our system of
common school instruction is the base
of our nations material progress,
and the wonderful opportunities and
possibilities for advancement held
out by this great democratic institu-
tion are a blessing to the country.
However, myabelief in the neces-
sity for, and tt benefcent part
played by our ic schools, does
and advocacy of pEate and religious
schools of every denomination where
ever practicable. No one can prop
erly assert that the growth and
prosperity of our church schools
Protestant, Jewish and Catholics
lin derogation or destructive of our
lpublic school system. That would be
just as fatuous as TO seek elimination
|of our undeno1 ational private
schools and cole which form no
part of the pq1 school system.
There is room ~all, and need for
|every school in America, private,
religious and public.
II believe in the inherent right
of the parent or guardian to educate
the child in the school and atmos-
phere of his choice. This is one of
the most sacred obligations Of pa
renthood, and must be judiciously
observed. If the parent, therefore,
sends hia child to church school
because Of the religious instruction
afforded, it is no reflection on any
|other school or system.
''Trusting this statement will ex-
plain my real attitude in regard to
|education of the young, believe me,
every respectfully yours,
"JOSEPH E.. RANSDELL."