The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1874-08-15


the majority were elected for the short
term, and the year being out, two new
Directors were elected in favor of no
school house and four months term,
backed up by q strong remonstrance
against building. The contract was
nullified end the contractor ordered to
discontinue work; the digging for the
foundation then done remains to this
day. Thus matters went on q little
longer, until finally necessity compelled
the Directors to provide more school
accommodation. A two-story frame
was then built, with just room enough
to accommodate the pupils. This af-
fair cost about one-thrd as much as the
two-story brick building under consid-
GRAFTON about one year before. Two
years after more school room was re.
quired, and if we could not have been
accommodated by Mr.. A. S. Christine,
| of the Carbon Academy, another affair
undoubtedly would have been put up.
Again, school affairs were allowed to
drag along for year or two more
Our children were crowded and cooped
up in unhealthy rooms - sometimes
more like cattle pens than school rooms.
The school men being in the minority,
no more agitated the school house guess
ton until the election of 1869, when
another grand effort was made at the
| polls to elect men who were in favor of
eight months school. By hard work
and with the assistance of some Of our
prominent citizens, among whom our
hard working County Superintendent
IN xuhn xxith
fear, favor or affection remained all
day at the polls battling against ignor-
ance and superstition. After the clos
ing of the polls and counting of the
votes, one of the grandest victories was
announced that ever took place in Le-
highton. Fifty-seven majority for an
eight months term The school men
were jubiant The anti-schoOl men
took alarm, and Immediately agitated
opposition to new school house. So
our children were compelled to inha6it
the small school rooms, with dilapidated
furniture, in tottering building that
shook to its very foundation when
Young America moved away from
school. Not summer vacation passed
around but what dissatisfied Young
America came near batteriDg down that
pile that never looked unlike anything
else Dnore than school house. A few
years more of unsuccess to the school
men dragged slowly along, with an
eight months term, until another tri-
ennial election took place. At this
time the condition of our schools was
disgraceful in the extreme; from go to
80 pupils in rooms IS X 27, some on
things called benches and desks others
under, and the building propped and
stayed for fear of falling. 1t was only
miracle that funerals were not sud-
denly and greatly multiplied.
In 1879 Ignorance and superstition
came out with bold front. But the
school men, on the platform of $685.
600 school house, also made their ap-
pearance, determined to win and moth
ing else. Hard and stormy was the
contest-a few knock. downs, without
serious injury, occurred, just enough to
spice the contest. 1t was only eQualled
In 1s60-no Presidential election ever
agita,ed the people more. With 80
majority, success again crowned the
efforts of the school men, who immedi-
at ely prepared to erect the monument
we this day dedicate. With consider.
able trouble location was fiually deci.
ded upon, and after every obstacle and
every opposition was exhausted, we
broke ground, with not enough money
to pay days teaming, being compel
| led to give $1,000 bond as part pay,
ment for the lots. Let us now take 6
view of the state of affairs. After al
this had been done, another year wa;
hurrying on, another election had JUS
taken place the newly elected mem
bers were supposed to be anti-schoo
Q men, but the contract was signed, seal
ed and delivered, and the contractor or
dered to go ahead, which he did almos
at the risk Of his life. Not cent il
q the treasury, but with authority to Dor
O row money, and with enough backbon
and grit, the Building Committee pre-
pared and determined to accomplish
f what they had undertaken. At frs
!; the money came in slowly the anti
n school men had circulated reports tina
the Board had no authority to borro,
IL money but this increased oppositio
% only increased the determination of tn
e Board. Finally, all opposition wa
overcome, and this pile of brick, lnorta
and wood gradually took on symme
"a rical form, that form this day on wi
n prove an honor to those who conceive
N its construction, blessing to the risin
generation, and another step forward
the grand march of progress.
y l do not feel like having performe
)O my whole duty without paying sou
D.. tribute to the memory of our departt
2O friend and fellow member of the Boar
n Mr.. Granville Clauss, whose valuab
I' services only terminated with his lif
b, To him as much as to any member
es the Board are we indebted for the ear
". success of the school party. He serv'
; as Secretary of the School Board for
number of years, was first and foremo
ed in the ranks. When the question of Il
of new school house was considered, wi
ay tottering steps he wcnded his way
he the school ground to assist by his pre-
IL ence and his advice. He always fear
he the opposition would he too great, al
er, in his greatest weakness rendered t
nj. greatest assistance. Fearing that '
'er would not be able to raise money sui
on ciently soon, shortly before he died,
A. requested that his life insurance mon