Codex Lethbridge
Transcription: 14
Transcription:
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unfortunate event viz. the death of the Mother general of the sisters, last December, we would perhaps have had a Convent here this coming Summer.
But here again you make some ridiculous assertions saying “at any event the establishment of a convent … is premature Well, Dear Sir, I ask you, what idea will the people abroad form about Lethbridge? What will they think of our town in Calgary – St Albert – Prince Albert – Brandon and Edmonton where convents are in such a such [crossed out] florishing [sic] state, and for years? What will they think of & our poor Lethbridge being obliged “Thoroughly to beat up southern Alberta to find children for a convent school? … At least you should not have published in that same issue, all your glorious prospects of railroads for Lethbridge in so near a future.
I repeat your article has astonished me. I rather thought that you would have complemented the Catholics of this place for their energetic enterprise. In one of your last issues you stated that your large school house had become too small; That two teachers could not do the work any longer; and if so, I really thought that you would have thanked us for making your position easier; for, so it must be indeed, as our Taxes do not amount to anything, while we take away a fourth or third part of your children.
As to the heavy burden of taxes, our Catholics know well enough that they will not be overtaxed. Having about forty children at school age, we intend to erect a good school house; it will be built on a block of five lots which we have already secured; We intend to hire a teacher holding a first class diploma. Now, I hope that we will be able to manage our affairs even without
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incuring [sic] any debenture indebtedness. This perhaps will puzzle you.
The fact is, that whatever Catholics do, fanatics must cry. If we do not erect schools, cries arise that Catholics are ennemies [sic] of education and progress. So we heard lately with sounding trumpet heralded that in the N.W.T. there were actually 140 Protestant schools and only 9 Catholic. Dear Sir, when our friends were erecting their school here, we never uttered a word of disapproval. Never any one, has heard me say anything against the school. Would you, Please, render us the same charity?
Now, Dear Sir, if you be successful in amending the supposed “ radical defect in the school system” if you be successful in preventing the establishment of schools “ unless there are at least 30 attendants children of ratepayers” you may begin to mitigate the great evil at home, for, more than the half of the Protestant schools in the N.W.T. do not possess that average attendance.
But, I suppose, this amendment, of yours, would regard Catholics only?
I beg pardon from my many Protestant friends. If I have said that much, I have been compelled to it. I know they will forgive me, for they are acquainted with what Catholics have done and still are doing for the progress of our Town. Our Friends, having common sense, have also their eyes and S [crossed out] see and judge for themselves; Some of our most respected citizens have been educated in Catholic schools.
In conclusion, Dear Sir, let me say, that whoever is somewhat acquainted with the wide world, will not be shocked at the establishment of a catholic school here. For, in the whole universe, wherever there is a Cath. church
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unfortunate event viz. the death of the Mother general of the sisters, last December, we would perhaps have had a Convent here this coming Summer.
But here again you make some ridiculous assertions saying “at any event the establishment of a convent … is premature Well, Dear Sir, I ask you, what idea will the people abroad form about Lethbridge? What will they think of our town in Calgary – St Albert – Prince Albert – Brandon and Edmonton where convents are in such a such [crossed out] florishing [sic] state, and for years? What will they think of & our poor Lethbridge being obliged “Thoroughly to beat up southern Alberta to find children for a convent school? … At least you should not have published in that same issue, all your glorious prospects of railroads for Lethbridge in so near a future.
I repeat your article has astonished me. I rather thought that you would have complemented the Catholics of this place for their energetic enterprise. In one of your last issues you stated that your large school house had become too small; That two teachers could not do the work any longer; and if so, I really thought that you would have thanked us for making your position easier; for, so it must be indeed, as our Taxes do not amount to anything, while we take away a fourth or third part of your children.
As to the heavy burden of taxes, our Catholics know well enough that they will not be overtaxed. Having about forty children at school age, we intend to erect a good school house; it will be built on a block of five lots which we have already secured; We intend to hire a teacher holding a first class diploma. Now, I hope that we will be able to manage our affairs even without
[End page]
[Right page]
incuring [sic] any debenture indebtedness. This perhaps will puzzle you.
The fact is, that whatever Catholics do, fanatics must cry. If we do not erect schools, cries arise that Catholics are ennemies [sic] of education and progress. So we heard lately with sounding trumpet heralded that in the N.W.T. there were actually 140 Protestant schools and only 9 Catholic. Dear Sir, when our friends were erecting their school here, we never uttered a word of disapproval. Never any one, has heard me say anything against the school. Would you, Please, render us the same charity?
Now, Dear Sir, if you be successful in amending the supposed “ radical defect in the school system” if you be successful in preventing the establishment of schools “ unless there are at least 30 attendants children of ratepayers” you may begin to mitigate the great evil at home, for, more than the half of the Protestant schools in the N.W.T. do not possess that average attendance.
But, I suppose, this amendment, of yours, would regard Catholics only?
I beg pardon from my many Protestant friends. If I have said that much, I have been compelled to it. I know they will forgive me, for they are acquainted with what Catholics have done and still are doing for the progress of our Town. Our Friends, having common sense, have also their eyes and S [crossed out] see and judge for themselves; Some of our most respected citizens have been educated in Catholic schools.
In conclusion, Dear Sir, let me say, that whoever is somewhat acquainted with the wide world, will not be shocked at the establishment of a catholic school here. For, in the whole universe, wherever there is a Cath. church
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