The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-09-03
THE SCRANTON SCHOOL ROW.
Another Struggle Between the
Rival School Boards.
A Disgraceful Scene Before Children-The Citi-
zens Undertake 10 run the School, Them
selves-A Fist Fight Between Fro
fessor and Commissioner

The scenes enacted in and around the CentraA
School building of this city this morning by tho
rival school boards completely ecllpsed those or
yesterday, reported in this mornings HERALD, and
directors, principals, pupils and the public seemed
to be imbued with more Intelligent spirit. Pre-
cisely at hali-pasteght several school directors OF
the two opposing boards together with their
principals, assembled in the directors room
and chatted apart In subdued tones, SO
that 1t was evident storm was brewing The
children assembled outside IN large numbers and
gave voice to their happy hearted enthusiasm, and
a large number OF citizens congregated on the lawn
awaiting anxiousy the result. AT length the third
and last bell was rung and the children poured into
the large building and occupied their various
departments while the members of the rival boards
proceeded up stairs to the grammar department.
accompanied by their two principals, and followed
by the reporters and large cOncOurse OF citizens
Passing through the various rooms 1t was remark
able to note the spirit of courtesy and fricndinesss
evnced by the members OF the rival boards towards
the teachers, with whom 1t was evident they wished
to MAINTAIN the most friendly relations. Hand
shaking was at premium, and pleasant remarks
about the weather were INDUCED in to an extent
that would annoy Old Probabilities for half day.
At length the grammar room was reached, and Am
immense concourse OF citizens thronged the room
and corridors in every available space.
BIBLE READING AND PRAYER BEFORE BATTLE.
Professor Hawker, principal of the Blewitu
Board, arose and said, ''We will now come to-
ORDER" and then read from the Bible the hftM
chapter OF Mark, descriptive OF the casting out OF
devils by our Lord. Icould not help thinking what
an appropriate prologue this was to the business
Of the day, were 1t not Tor the utter mockery Of in-
Producing lessons in the midst of lot of more.
ready to fight than to pray. Alter reciting the
chapter from Mark the Prole ssor gave out the.
Lords Prayer amidst the most profound silence,4
and at the conclusion proceeded to the business
of the day, stating that his trade to educate
and not to stir up turmoil that he had been en-
gagged by the Blewitt Board, and meant to main-
tain his position until ousted by the law. Colonel
Royce, Secretary of the Lynde Board, here inter-,
rupted the learned Professor, saying,
"YOu have no business here, and II you persist
in remaining in this room we shall dismiss the
school,"
Mr.. Blewitt, President OF the opposing Board,
retorted, "You cannot dismiss the school. We
shall conduct It. We came here to educate the
children, and we shall do so despite opposition; SO
all that wish TO receive an education can remain;
all who do not gO.n None went, however.
Several persons made
A DECIDED DEMONSTRATION
unfavOrable to Professor Hawker. One got upon o
bench--a gray Old man-and with his voice
and frame in tremulous condition exclaimed
'em ourselves" This remark A'' was loudly
cheered by both pupils and public, and several
suggested the l0rnatOn OF cltlZenS' committee 10
take the matter out OF the hands OF the rival
boards and have 1t adjudicated amicaby at court.
Professor Hawker "a essay AYE, to speak when his
hisses and several voices CRIED
The Professor was his dignity. and said, II
would like to see the man that could put me out.
Let him come forward and do 1t If he dare.n A
makes no difference to us who conducts the
school; but 1t has come to that point now that we
will not stand this conduct any longer" Loud
cheers.) Professor Hawker here expressed his
desire for the meeting to be conducted like gentle
men, when several citizens exclaimed. "Let US
have a regular meeting and appoint chalrman.~
Colonel ROYCE ito the schoiars)-You are dis
President BLEwIrr-You are not. We will teach
all who remain
joining rOom organized a citizens meeting and
appointed g. b. Chase chairman when 1t was,
on motion unanimously resolved to appoint a com.
mittee OF i've to transact legitimate business
OF the School Board and bring the disputed ques-
ton OF the rival boards before the courts for sette
several prominent citizens denounced In strong
in carrying their rivalry into the school room and
wranging before the children. Messrs. j. c. Patt,
Lewis Pugh were appointed committee to conduct
the schools al interim and independent OF both
Meanwhile the superintendent Of the Lynde Board,
Professor Roney, is to remain in charge OF the
educational department. until the decision Is given.
STRONG LANGUAGE AND HARD BLOWS.
After the meeting had adjourned wordy passage
at arms cnSueu between Professor HaWker ana
MIR. Black (the latter Of the Lynde Board) which led
to blows The Professor made some uncOmpli-
mentary remarks towards Black, ana said, Gray
as you are, you are still an old fool" Upon this
Black rushed at him and they were kept apart by
the reporters: Both parties then left the building
and stood talking on the lawn front when Mr..
Black, again growing wonderfully excited, rushed
at the Professor and dealt him stunning blow on
the right The bellIgerents were separated,
and In a few moments this most dis0rderly meeting
OF representative gentlemen broke up. Popular
feeling has been worked up to very high pitch,
and the citizens determined that scranton
shall be disgraced no longer by two bodies OF men
who, however good i'm other respects, have misused
the trust reposed in them, and brought down the
opprobrium of all respectable communities on this