The New York herald., 1873-09-02
A D1SGRACEEUL ROW.

Two Pslftfcai Factions In scrantou
Fighting for the Possession OF =
schooI-Indign z . tAOn 81 the Cftizens and
JOY Of the Scholars
SCRANTON, Pa, Sept. I, 1879
Scranton was the scene OF most interesting
and exciting though not very crc1ttable proceeds
ing, this morning, in Which some OF oar most prom
inent citizens figured conspicuOusly. For some
time past we have been BLESSED, or cursed, with
two school boards the Fourth School district OF
this city, acting diametricaS In opposltion to each
other and winnssg for themselves the name OF
she "Rival School Bosrds.n The rival school
boards are the outgrowth of 90 election los d.
rector held In May last, on whioa occasion each
party claimed their candidate to ne duly elected.
The result was spEs in the Schsol Board, one
half OF the Old members going each way and torm-
ing sort OF faction. 70 tunately vacation took
place shortly alter election, so that the rival
boards could carry on tlscir viyairy and claim
authority to their hearts coatent withott having
occasion 10 interfere with she regular routine OF
the schools. One party levied taxes one aay and
issued notices to the effect thas theirs the le-
gay constituted secretary to receive themt The
opposite party issued notices rhe day foil wing
that they and they only were the legal board and
that they we're recognized by the state and 50 on.
The regular board consists cf nine MEN,
bers, and when the split took place
each party declared the seats OF their opponents
vacant and filled them up with candidates OF their
own choice. The rivals are known ny the names
OF the Lynde ana the Blewitr boaysts, Messrs.
Lynde and Bewitt being the respective presidents
of each wing. 1t had been announced that the
schools would be opened this morning for the
ensuing term, and popular feeling had been
worked up to such pitch by the Opposite boards
that
by many. Each branch had engaged Its Hn'ncipaI
and regular corps OF teachers, and preclselat nine
O'Clock proceeded to the Central school TO take
possessi0 on and proceed to business. When |
arrived at the scene, a large concourse OF persons
had congregated IN the vicinity OF the schcoi ana
the Mayor accompanied by posse of police4 were
promptly on hand to queli any breach Of the peace
in possession the keys, and opened the doors,
admitting teachers ana scholars and assigning
them to their respective postlons. No sooner was
this accomplished than the Lynde board marched
into the school building, accompanied by their
principal and constable, bearing warrant for
the OF the president OF the opposing faCtiOn
charging him with using threats towards the
superintendent engaged by his opponents lie
was promptly
BROUGHT BEFORE THE MAYOR
who was close by, and held in the sum Of $500 t.
Keep the peace, and then the work OIL taxing ana
keeping possession and control OF the schools was
commenced VIM. Blewitt introduced tothe large
HawKer as their principal The secretary OF the op-
posing actiOl vehemently repudlated ms author
ity and introduced Mr.. Rooney as the legal prln-
cpal, &c. This led to a scene, and war OF words
was about to enSue, when by
SUDDEN AND UNEXPECTED COUP DE MAIN
the Secretary Of the Lynde board brought the mat
ter to an abrupt termna by declaring to schOl
ars and teachers that the school was adjourned
until tomorrow morning at nine O'Clock. The
pupils Jumped up on the benches and shouted and
cheered at the top OF their voices, completely
drowning those OF the directors, In their JOY at
being set free, and in few minutes the vast school
building was vacant once more.
Public sentiment Is wonderfully excited by the
discreditable conduct OF the rival boards. State
Superintendent Wickersham is expected here to-
night to open the schools tomorrow morning by
IN In al n m
intendent, and place them under the Jurisdiction
OF regularly organized corps Of teachers, inde.
pendent of the rival school boards who will be left
to adjust their difficulties on some other arena than
| that OF the school room.