Rensselaer Republican, Volume 25, Number 29, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 March 1893 — CLERICAL INDEPENDENCE. [ARTICLE]

CLERICAL INDEPENDENCE.

▲ Prteoa Chaplola Defiea HU Superior —, ■ Oflrer. . _ < " i ' Chaplain Stephan, of the Illinois penitentiary at Joliet, has served notice on the Governor that he would hot be “dictated to.” Last Sunday the chaplain Issued an order that hereafter none' but Lutherans and Catholics should teach in the prison Sunday schools. This order caused much dissatisfaction, as all of the Protestant churches in the eity have been represented in the Sunday school. When Governor Altgeld heard of the action Qf the chaplain he promptly issued,.a proclamation declaring that all religions denominations should be allowed equal rights in the State institutions, but Chaplain Stephan firmly refused to pay any attention to the Governor’s pro tarnation. He says he is at the head of the religions department of the penitentiary and he proposed to run it. “I have no desire to create any sensation In the newspapers.” said he. -“I will not disturb the Catholic Sunday school, but as for the other one 1 will run it as I see fit” According to the order issued by the chaplain the present teachers of the Sunday school representing all the Protestant churches in the city, are shut out, and their places will be taken by students in the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Springfield, who will teach the convicts their catechism.