The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1876-01-26
STANDING By THEIR RECORD.

The passage of the Protectory bill by the
Democratic Assembly of this State, last year,
lnndeniably lost that party the control Of the
fort toicgislato in favor ola sect, by replacing
several of the Democrats who voted for the
measure with Republicans, and thus giving a
majority in the Assembly to the Republican
party The bad policy Of the action last year
was seen by some of the leaders, and ON tho
first day of the present session Mr.. Eagan,
Democrat, Of Union, offered huncombe reso-
luton, affirming, in effect, that the effort to
create all impression that there was danger Of
action inmical to free unsectarian public
schools was unwarranted, as the separation of
Church and State and the system of froe nm
scctarian schools are the unaterable policy of
this State, according to the Constitution
This resolution was uncalled for, but as the
minority appeared to wish to put themselves
on record ON the question, Mr.. Grigg, Repub-
lican, of Passaic proposed the following SUBJ
stitute as more to the point
WHEREAS, The Constitution of New Jersey
provides that there shall be no establishment
OF one religious sect In preference TO another
use of amy society, association, or corporation,
ard the passage If private, local or special
laws for the management and support OF pub
lie schools; said provision having been incor-
poraied into the constitution by the people in
the face of the opposi ion of the authorities
and members of prominent religious sect and
a portion of the political party sympathizing
with them and sohereas, the Constitution of
this State also declares that the Legislature
shall provide for the maintenance and support
of a thorough and efficient system Of FIRE, pub
lie schools, and makes tie money raised
for that purpose a sacred fund to be de-
voted to no other object which declaration
has BECOME part of the organic law, not
withstanding an organized and determined eff
fort, stimulated by circular letters issued by
sectarian body to defeat the same and
Whereas, notwithstanding the undoubted acqui-
essence of the public mind in the Justice and
propriety of the sentiments here expressed in
favor of an absolute divorce of Church and
State bill was passed by the dominant par
ty in the last House of Assembly, proposing to
establish sectaran institution with extra
ordinary and Objectionable powers; therefore
Rcsesaed, Thatthis Legislature hereby reafirm
the doctrine of a total separation of Church
and schools Is the settled and unalterahle pol
icy of this State, and condemns all attempted
legislation wherever originating, tending in
any way to impair the thoroughness and eff
cheney Of our free public schools, and the use
of the moneys raised for their support in any
manner ne* warranted by the Settsr and spirit
of our Constitution.
Last Wednesday the resolution was by vote
substituted for Mr. Easan's, and then CON-
menced an exhibition of sqairming that was
laugnab,c to see. The tables had been turned
on these crafty politicians, and they were ask
cd to take their own medicine with few bit
ter ingredients added. After considerable
discussion, during which some three or four
of those who had voted on the Protectory bill
boosted that they were not sorry FOR their ac-
ton, the substituted preamble and resolu-
tion were passed by the following vote
AyEs.--Messrs. Ashley, Bergen, Brautigam,
Brewer, Brown. Carpenter. Carscallen tSpeak-
err, Cavileer, Coles. Cory, Cress Cunningham,
Drake, i. Griggs, Halsey,. HARRISON Herring,
Howell, Hutchinson, Jacobus,. Keasby, Lewis,
Lund. Moore. Patterson. Payne, Platt, Rih.
ards, Rolfe, Saunderson, Scove Stevens, 1ay-
Tor, Teffey. Tfaphagen, Vail, Van Rensaeler,
Voorhees, and Youngbood--39.
NAYS 4Messrs Bird. Campbell, Conover,
Dodd, Drake L. H., Egan, Emson,. FcrJ. NJ
lfannon, Hendrickson, Lodge, Mack.y, Mar
tin, Mathews, Owen, Rabe, Richmar, Rue,
SkelIenger, Swayze and Winant-2l.
1t will be seen, therefore, that the Democrat
ic members with the exception of two) and
including the two members from this county.
voted against ungectarian free schools.
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