The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1869-08-26
ALTOONA CRY, Aug. %, 1853


DEAR FREENAN-I stated in my letter last
week that our school directors had selected
teachers for the ensuing term, and that in do
ing so they manifested spirit of religious intol-
erance which has excited no little Indignation
in this city. AS that letter failed to reach you
in time for publication, L propose now to refer
briefly to the matter.
The great boast of the advocates of our free
school system is that it discards all sectarian
ism. This being so, the religious faith of any
applicant for a school should not be taken into
consideration by men acting in the capacity OF
school directors. They should raise them
selves to the dignity of judges and above the
behests of prejudice. When they advertise for
teachers to be examined by the School Super
intendent, those teachers should all receive the
same courteous treatment and consideration.
Neither should they, was done in this in
stance, select the teachers first and have them
examined afterwards. But let me be more ex-
plicit. Among the applicants for schools who
stood the severe test of thorough examiDa-
tion, were four young ladies of high IsoCial
standing and admitted ability as teachers. -
After the examination was concluded our i'm
partial, ~ high minded ~ Board held a con-
sultation for the purpose of creating the I'm
preston that they were acting in good faith
and had not already determined upon what
course to pursue. The conference ended with
a motion on part of the member from the Sixth
Ward to the effect that "as Miss A. possesses
:.
should be permitted to have one of the schools.
Scarcely had he taken his seat when the able
and immaculate member from the Third W ard,
with hands raised and holy horror depicted in
his face, cried out, mo, no, we want none of
that kind '-referring to her religious faith.
This lady was of unblemished reputation and
fully competent for the position of teacher, and
nothing but religious bgotry prompted this OUT
spoken opposition to her. Verify, from the
abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.-
And rejected she was without a word of indig-
nant protest from any member of the Board
Even the lips of the member who made the
motion in her favor were hermetic ically sealed on
the instant, nor had th President of the Board,
whose household has been taken care of,
single rule of order to enforce. The iniquity
was consummated without a voice being raised
against it, and as consequence the other
three ladies, who belonged to the same reli
gious faith, were passed by in silence, and the
schools were given to such applicants only as
squared in their religious belief with the puri-
tanical ideas of the majority of the Board. L
may. again refer to this disreputable proceeding
in my next letter.
Mr. Edward Hughes, an old and much es-
teemed citizen of this city, (formerly of your
'cOunty,) died on Saturday morning week, after
a few hours illness. He was an upright man
and an exemplary Christian. Peace TO his ashes.
VIM. Killinger, q freight brakeman aRd a
resident of this city, was instantly killed near
Harrisburg, On the l4sh, by being run over by
a train OF cars he was uncoHpling. He leaves
wife and several children.
A two year old daughter of Mr.. Henry Fox,
residing at Yellow Springs. this county, fell
from the top of a balustrade around high
porch, distance of about ten feet, on Wednes-
day last, and was Instantly killed.
A sneak thief entered the dwelling of Mr..
John Keesbury, of this place. few nights
ago, and extracted $50 from his pantaloons'
pocket and SO from the pocket OF his son.
Mr.. @. J. Hackstr was severely crushed by
CARS al Tyrone on THURSDAY week, and his son
broke his leg here on ths same day. IT, NJ.