Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-06-07
BREWSTER AGAIN
Continued from Pace Onel

Republican primaries all good citi-
2cns can heartily agree. Though
the somewhat extensive prUtestations
of dtsinterested friendship there
Crecps, however. their concern for
the welfare of the Republican party
in its selection of a nominee and a
certain subtle propaGander to intlu-
enCe that choice. in fact, Mr.. Pat
tangall seems to some extent TO be
serving as a publicity agent in one
phase of the Republican campaign.
with equal justice ana truth.
can paraphrase my distinguished op-
pOnCnt on the Democratic ticket and
say that Il am willing to fight the
/ knights of Columbus under him as
am now fighting them under my
/ Republican opponent" | have always
/ Contcnded that the public school
I question WAS not a religious issue
at all but rather one of economy in
education and the application Of the
American principle Of the separation
/ of tho church ana the state. already
recognized in thirty-three states It
discriminatcs against no religious
/ faith; it affects no church unless
, they seek To violate this principle.
Il have also always contended that
! those who appeal to prejudice in this
matter Will incur very serious res
possibility, ! believe the Knights Of
Columbus have a perfect right to OPP
pose both the proposed amendment
and my candidacy That is the prlVi-
! lego Of every citizen who has the
| right 10 vote. do not believe they
/ should he disfranChised because Of
/ that opposition. ANY other citizen
, has an equal right to favor this
H Il n n pTasgNr n
I Catholics in other states have done.
/ Regarding the proposed constitu-
tional amendment to prevent use Of
public school funds for seCtarian
/ schools, Senator Brewster further
said:
Z Economy alone in not parauclinc
the present school system, would be
a sufficient reason for this step in
this period of tax burden, the speak
er declared. Such 4 restriction, he
said upon the public school funds
is also a logical application Of the
fundamental American principle Of
separation Of church and state.
'ThirtN-three states have ALREADY
adopted such an amendment, and
We are asking the same protection
for our public school system. This
is tho stand I am taking" stated
Senator Brewster
Il challenge anyone in this hail
or in the State to define the posi-
ton Of my opponent upon this ques-
ton" declared the speaker. His
challenge was preceded by an ex-
plauation TO the effect that the pro-
posed amendment had been in is
sue for SIX months. and was recog-
ntzed by his opponent as the pre-
dominant issue OF the campaign.
upon which the people Of Maine are
now TO pass Judgment.
IN February. pointed out the
speaker. his opponent said there
was no one seeking these funds. and
that the people need not consider
any action at this time. This would
seem 10 imply that the amendment
might wClI be a wise one. according
to the argument Of his opponent.
This argument is no longer
heard" commented Mr. Brewster.
the public records 81 the last 10
years have shown repeated attempts
of this sort"
In March II was said that Il was
very unfair and misleading to say
that the public schoo! and the pa
rochial school system were merged. +"
his again. pointed out the speaker,
would imply that such a policy was
/ undesirable but was In no danger
OF being brought to pass.
Here, again. the Roman Catholic
authorities have shown their recog-
milton OF the TWO systems as being
merged. and this argument is no
| longer heard. More than one-tfird
/ q the parochial school system in
Maine, IS today supported by pub
| iic school funds. with more than
! $500 children in attendance. Lewis
ton or Biddeford might inaugurate