Life, 1911-06-29 · page 28 of 45
Life — June 29, 1911 — page 28: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains reader letters responding to Cardinal Gibbons's public criticism of American public schools. The lead letter from Luther B. Martin expresses outrage that the Roman Catholic Church—represented by Cardinal Gibbons—has attacked secular education as "godless" and "breeders of immorality," advocating instead for parochial schools. Martin frames this as dangerous sectarianism, comparing it to pre-Civil War separatism and invoking "Union" as America's founding principle. He cites France, Italy, Spain, and Portugal as models that successfully abolished denominational schools. The subsequent letters debate specific claims about Florida's educational infrastructure and child labor conditions, with a Florida correspondent defending local schools and churches against a New York writer's criticisms. The cartoon at right ("Tracking a Deer") appears unrelated to the text—likely filler or from a different section. The overall page represents Life's characteristic editorial stance: secular, progressive, anti-clerical, and wary of institutional religious influence on American public institutions.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
1260 “APE « Cardinal Gibbons Condemns Public Schools Which seems to one correspondent much like the Roman Church showing its teeth—Other interesting letters from Life’s readers Educational Dear Sir: At last the Roman Church feels itself strong enough to show its teeth to the American people. In a prearranged in- terview (as a feeler) between Cardinal Gibbons and his subsidized press, Sun- day, May 28, Gibbons condemns as utterly worthless our public schools. In his opinion they are “godless” and “breeders of immorality,” and he claims that our only hope as a nation lies in our agreeing to adopt his paro- chial school system, so wonderfully suc- cessful in keeping ignorance from being eradicated and humanity from becom- ing united. France, after hundreds of years of strife and bloodshed, at last succeeded in abolishing these hateful denomina- tional schools, and Italy, Spain and Portugal find it a matter of sclf-preser- vation to follow France’s lead. In the face of such overwhelming evi- dence against the pernicious denomi- national school system, can a man be considered a patriot who asks us scri- ously to submit to such an evil? America’s slogan is “ Union,” and any man, or group of men, advocating “separation” (and they are to-day of the same cult as were those in 1861), are traitors to our country and deserve to be dealt with accordingly. Very sincerely, Lutwer B. Maxtix. Of Course Eortor or Lire, Dear St If the party who suggests in the “ Col- lege Number” that you have a “ funny number, as you should,” really feels the need of such an edition, please arrange to issue one especially for him. The thousands of Lirr’s regular readers would be more than disappointed with any other blend of humor, satire and current comment than they now get. Lire is good because it is true, and any deviation from its present standard would destroy its identity as a magazine of the first magnitude. Sincerely yours, 7 RGA. Birsarxcuam, Ata., May 25, 1901. A Protest from Florida Dear Eoitox: In the Book Number of Lire, pub: lished the second week in June, there is an article entitled “ Oysters and Chil- dren," written by a New Yorker who seems to think he knows something about child labor in Florida. I will ad- mit that children in Florida work from seven on up, not down, as stated by the New Yorker, also that our child labor bill was killed. But I want to deny the fact that there is a single community in our State that is without a church or a schoolhouse or where a newspaper is not sent. I can prove that there is a newspaper sent to every “ stop,” whether flag station or a division headquarters; also, there are churches, whether 20 x 30 mecting houses or massive cathedrals. Schools the same. Yes, we have people in our woods that don’t take advantage of them, some even so ignorant that they would run from bicycles. We had those years ago, but some of those who did take advantage of those opportuni- ties are now running over bicycles in their high-powered honk-honks. In winding up his article, the man from New York, he said: “How is this for the other side of Palm Beach?” There is not a single church or school in Palm Beach; there also is no oyster packing houses; the fact is, Palm Beach is composed of two wooden hotels and a couple of miles of other homes al- most as beautiful. Palm Beach is Balm Beach about four months in the year and after that everything is nailed up until next season. , But just across Lake Worth, on whose Surface some of the motor boat speed records of the world have been made, is a place called West Palm Beach; every denomination is represented, the school system is modern and two news- Papers are published ; news-stands every- where, with papers from your home. I am really sorry, Mr. New Yorker, that you did not remember seeing these things while enjoying your Florida trip. When you come again next year please look me up. Respectfully yours, Ernest W. Tyzer. Jacxsonvinte, FLa., June 9, 1911. To Be Referred Lire Pustisnixc Co., Dear Sirs: In your issue of May 18, you quote the birth and death rate in the Mormon Church during 1910, and end by com- mending it to the thoughtful considera- tion of the Sage of Oyster Bay. Over a little further you give an account of a woman who is ill, with six children to support, whose husband, a mechanic, earns $16.00 per week when he can find work to do (which is probably six months in the year). I might suggest that you also refer this case to the “ strenuous one,” as it might have some bearing on his argument with regard to race decadence, which he is so fond of handing out to the American public. Yours very truly, J. W. Austiy. Grose, Artz, May 23, 1911. O man can be happy in a South American republic unless he is fit for treason, stratagem and spoils. TRACKING A DEAR comicbooks.com