The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-10-10
SCh0OlSlN
OREGON HIT
BY POLITICS
Bill Is Up to Kill Parochial
Seats of All De-
nominations.
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.

NSORyAAoASt AsSSt ~ AeA~ - 0~~'S
Portland, Ore, Oct. 10.-Of all
the amazing political situations in
the United States this year, Oregon
presents the most surprising if not
incredible set Of circumstances
since the days of the far famed
know Nothing" movement. which
in the days Immediately following
the Civil war sought to array Prot
estants against Catholics and vice
versa.
There is actually on the official
ballot to be voted on Nov. a pro-
posal which if enacted into law
would make parent or guardian
liable to a fine or Imprisonment or
beth If he or she failed to send all
children between the ages of 8 and
16 years to the public schools dur
ing the regular school term.
Parochial schools of all denomi-
nations, Catholic or Protestant
private institutions Of all kinds
from musical to military schools
would be wiped out SO far as boys
and girls below 16 are concerned
il the bill is enacted. Oregon has
system of initiating legislation
at the polls and if enough sigma
lures are secured to petition the
proposals are submitted to the
voters.
Issue Plays Vital Part.
This, however, is no isolated
measure thrust into an election &C.
cidentally by a small group of vot.
ers. It has been deliberately
planned and the issue, is playing
such a vital part in the state elec.
ton that for the first time in many
years a Democratic nominee fol
governor has q good chance Of be-
ing elected in this Overwhelmingly
Republican state and largely be-
cause he has endorsed the bill while
his Republican opponent foughI
this mAXement in the primaries and
won by = scant margin.
Who sponsored the bill! Tn,
official pamphlet just issued by thu
secretary of state Of Oregon, con
tanning the views of the supporter
and opponents of the measur,
frankly gives "as the inspiration
for this act" resolution adopIet
/, in May, 1920, by the supreme coun
Gil of the Ancient and Accepted
Order of Scottish Rite Masons
southern jurisdiction. There ar,
only two jurisdictions in the United
States, So the action of the south
ern body, which met in Portland il
1920, is quasi-national. The grant
lodge of Oregon, A. F. and A. M.
and the imperial council of the no
bles of the Mystic Shrine all en-
dorsed the same resolutions il
June, 1920. 1t is printed in tn,
official pamphlet and reads as fol
lows:
Masonic Resolution.
Resolved that we recognize ant
proclaim our belief in the free ant
compulsory education of the chill
dren of our nation in the public
primary schools, supported by pub
lie taxation, upon which all chill
dren shall attend and be instructed
in the English language only with
out regard to race or creed as tn,
only sure foundation for the per
petuation and preservation of ou
free institution guaranteed by tn,
tconstitution of the United State
and we pledge the efforts Of tn,
membership Of the order to pro
mote by all lawful means the or
ganization, extension and develop
ment to the highest degree of sucl
schools, and to oppose the effort
of any and all who seek to limit
curtail, hinder or destroy the pub
lie school system OF our land"
Do all the Masons here subscrib
to this doctrine? Not . bit OF i,
The writer talked to many Mason
of high degree who regretted tina
the resolution had ever been adopt
ed and who are actively fighting tn
enactment of the law. The news
papers are carrying paid advertise
ments signed by "P. S. Malcolm
y 33rd degree, inspector-general il
. Oregon, Ancient and Accepted Scot
/ tish Rite, urging voters to vot
yes. Mr.. Malcolm's advertisement
/, states that the bill proposes n
religious restriction: it contem
, plates NO limitation Of the right Q
the parent to teach religion to hi
child in his own way and accortlin
to his own belief; It raises no issu
! of religious difference, but that
; is purely q measure to insure ths
all children by attending the pull
) lie schools shall be taught alik
e: during their grammar school year
SO that their outlook may grow
Contra Aed on Page Threa.)