Documents
in Quebec History
Last
revised: 23 August 2000 | Tentative
de créer un Ministère de l'Instruction publique / Attempt to create a Ministry
of Education, 1897-1898
Telegram
from J.-A. Chapleau to Cardinal Rampolla December
8, 1897. "Letter
from Mgr Bruchési to the Premier, demanding, on behalf of the Holy Father, to
withdraw bill on education, received yesterday. Convinced that this action would
be, under the circumstances disastrous for the peace and cordial relations of
the people of Quebec, and not wishing to take this responsibility, after giving
to the Holy See unquestionable assurances of his devotion, my Premier believes,
with good cause in my opinion, that he would not have any other alternative than
to place his resignation in my hands, if the request of the Holy Father remains
such as transmitted by Mgr Bruchési, and as it has been interpreted here from
his letter, that is as an absolute order to the Premier as a Roman Catholic." "Bill
must be tabled in the two legislatures next Monday. Copy of clauses of the Bill
modifying the present education act already sent by me to Mgr. Bruchési in Rome". Sources:
Louis-Philippe Audet, « Le projet de ministère de l'instruction publique en 1897
», in Mémoires de la société royale du Canada, Vol. 1, Fourth Series, June
1963, pp. 133-161, p. 142. and Robert Rumilly, Histoire de la province de Québec,
Vol. IX - Marchand, Montreal, Bernard Valiquette, 315p., p. 31. ©
For the translation, 2000 Claude Bélanger, Marianopolis College |