Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1899-10-23
The Common Schools of Pennsylvania.

The Common Schools of Pennsylvania.
The common schools are the glory of
Pennsylvania, and have served as a
model for the systems of other states
Thaddeus Stevens, the great common
er, was their main founder, and it re-
mained for William A. Stone, the first
governor that Boss Quay ever had the
distinction of owning outright, to
strike them a blow He set the state
aflame with Indignation by his act. 1t
rang from Lake Erie to the Delaware
from the northern tier to the southern
border-with protests; and no COVER
nor was ever before guilty of so un-
patriotic, un-American and needless an
executive deed.
Governor Stone was master of the
situation, and could have compelled the
Republican state senate, under pain of
vetoing the pet measures of the ma
chine senatorial ring, to provide addi-
tional revenue, if necessary, to meet
all demands on the treasury.
For years the Quay machine, by its
delay in paying out the school funds,
has embarrassed school districts all
over the state, it being notorious that
the money was kept back and held on
deposit in the political banks that
Quay and his henchmen might pocket
the interest or use it in politics and
stock speculations.
School authorities have been COM
PEELED to borrow money to meet obli-
cations, while in many of the cities of
the state there exists a lack of school
accommodations The schools are over
crowded, while children, barred from
them, are neglected. The teachers are
underpaid and justly complain that
they have been compelled to wait a
long time for their pittance.
This blow that Governor Stone has
aimed at the schools yitally concerns
every school teacher, school trustee
and school director in the state. And
again. if the governor can shave Off
one million dollars from the appropria-
tion in 1899 what Is to prevent him
from looping off two millions in 1901?
The excuse that the governor gave
for his alleged veto of a part of the
school appropriation was merely pre-
text. The real reason for this out
rageous act on the part of the eXecu-
tive was not given and dare not be
given or commented upon by the unpa-
triotic governor of Pennsylvania. 1t
mas long Deen pOllIlcdl secret that
Senator Quay intended to attack the
school appropriation, as he never ap-
proved of the increases leading up to
the five millions.
To the people of the state his act
means higher local taxes, a reduction
of teachers salaries, fewer schools and
a lowering of the high standard which
has made the schools of Pennsylvania
famous. He has struck at the very
principle to which the people of Penn
sylvania owe their greatness as q
state. He has given the lie to the
proud boast that the Republican party
is the guardian of the Little Red
| School House"
| While Governor Stone vetoed mil
| lion dollars of the school appropria-
ton, he cheerfully signed the large ap-
| preparation for military purposes, and
| indicated in advance that the already
| large sum should be increased This
| shows that he believes more in train.
ing men to kill their fellows than he
| does in training our children that they
may grow up without murder in theil
| hearts.
WHAT REPUBLICAN PAPERS SAY.
| 1t is common saying that a man /!
bound by his own witness. Let us set