The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1924-03-13
SENATOR BREWSTER
At BETHANY
Law Enforcement and
Public Schools
Comes TO SkOwhegan Through the Eli
forts of the Men OF the Church
and Parish

the Public Schools, Monday nlBnl at
the Bethany Baptist Church, said with
regard to law enforcement 1T has
been suggested that certain groups
now active in our state, under some
circumstances believe in taking the
enforcement of law out of the hands
of the constituted authorities ana
into their own hands. ANY such &C
ton, | should understand necessarily
to constitute serious violation OF
law and infringement OF the constl-
tutional guarantees of individual lib
critics" He then invited the careful
attention of citizens to the last clause
in his original declaration OF prln-
ciples where he declares for 100 per
cent enforcement and observance OF
the prohibitory law and OF all law by
public officials and private citizens
alike" He then continued to speak
of the fragrant violation of the liquor
laws in Aroostook County and belieV-
ed 1t to be only the logical result OF
the course which we have been pur-
suing for generation in this regard.
He referred to individuals who con
doned violations of the prohibitory
law, as being what may justly be
termed selective or prohibitory
anarchists. He added that he be-
lieved that as soon as these individ-
uals, whose lives are in many other
ways exemplary, realize the logical
consequences of their conduct in so
far as the prohibitory law IS con-
cerned, they will be the first to desire
a change in conditions. Mr.. Brews-
ter believes in the helpful coopera-
ton of all officials in carrying on the
work which lies before them without
any additional legislation and also
believes that the state has ample IA
cilities for investigation. The speak
err considers that the business men OF
America are awakened and that in
fiuence is being brought to bear In
fraternal organizations and CONNER
cial travellers are exhibiting a spirit
of active loyalty to law. The pro-
blem of law enforcement does not
rest with the bootlegger but with the
members of the well-to-do classes OF
society who furnish him the market
for his wares.
Under the American public school
system, Senator Brewster referred to
the constitutional amendment which
he introduced in the last legislature,
prohibiting tGe appropriation OF pub
lie funds to sectarian or ParOchial
schools, in which he has recently
been critised as liable, he says, to
terminate the practice in some towns
by which education Is provided for
the pupils of high school grade by
10 10 IL
thorities and local non-sectarian
academies. With regard to this he
said If my view is correct. the
amendment proposed last winter
would not affect these academies in
any way and It certainly was not in
the thought of anyone to prohibit the
existing arrangement On the other
hand, If 1t shall seem to any substan-
tial group that there Is question re-
garding this, 1t Is a very simple mat
ter for all the interests concerned TO
substitute more acceptable phrase
ology." He then suggested that the
substitution OF the word common
for the word public" would apparent
ly meet the objection He spoke at
length on the ParOchial school sys-
tenn and especially in Aroostook
County and made 1t clear that he be-
licved that under no circumstances
should the state have any connection
with the religious instruction of the
children or supply any facilities
therefor Mr.. Brewster cited school
conditions as they exist now in Aroos-
took and said 1t seemed to him that
1t was fair to say that the public
school system and the Parochial sys-
tenn are merged He added that
these systems in vogue in Northern
Aroostook are defended on the ground
that ninety-hve per cent of the peo-
pie are French Catholics.
Senator Brewster contended that he
had tried to show that the proposed
constitutional amendment would not
be opposed on the ground of its et-
feet upon the non-sectarian academies
of the state, because he believed 1t
would not embarass the existing ar
rangements and because If those in
terested in the academies are troubl-
ed regarding this matter, the phrase
ology can readily be adapted to meet
their views. Il have tried he con-
tinued "to show clearly that 1t is a
fair statement to say that in northern
Aroostook the public school system
and the parochial school system are
identical and | have done this by Ro-
man Catholic authorities since they
should be qualified to speak upon this
point This seems to me regretable.
Finally have submitted certain evil
dence as TO the existence of settled
policy among substantial group of
our citizens looking to grant of pub
lie funds to parochial schools and |
have pointed out certain attempts to
influence public thought and legisla-
tive action in this direction.
This is not a problem peculiar to
Maine as thirty states within the last
few years, under conditions very like
our own. have adopted a similar
amendment to their constitution. This
policy has been specifically indorsed
by President Madison and President
Grant and in more recent times with
our own State by Governor Baxter
Neither can its advocacy be charged
to sectaran or partisan prejudice
since In Massachusetts within the past
10 T., "a, ,t,,andplont hac haI