Evening journal., 1919-09-20
WANTc rlID TDIAI
WHIvIO IHIn IHIHL
FOR School CODE
James H. hughes, Who
Opposed Law. Gives His
Views on SIbject
SAYS DEFECTS CAN
BE AMENDED

DOVER, sept. 2O.-Jsmes II. Hughes,
,f Dover, one OF the attorneys who sp-
reared before the state Judges last Fri
day. for those who doubted The consti-
utionality Of the new state School
code. believes the new law. now that
the Judges have ruled that II is constl-
uulional. should be given a fair trial.
As the General Assembly VIII meet
again in 1921 II will be possible 10 de-
termlne what amendments ought to be
made TO correct defects. strengthen
weak points and overcome legitimate
and iustinable objections.
When Mr. Hughes was asked 10 cx-
press his views on the subject, he made
this statement.
Il was one Of the attorneys appear
ng before the judges for those who
doubted the constitutlonalliy~ OF the
law. Ever since the law was enacted
there has been a difference of opinion,
as TO its constitutionality, and the feel
ing that The question should be passed
on by the Judges was shared by many
lawyers. as well as laymen. The Levy
Court Of Kent county. In its recent ac-
tion in delaying the levy Of the school
tax was Influenced by the very general
feeling Of the people OF the county, that
the law was not constitutional and that
a tax should not be levied under it,
until ITS consiitutionality was passed
on In some way
"0f course not all the opposition by
any means was based on The belief that
n was not constitutional. Some object
10 it for one reason: others for another.
II has not met with approval from tho
FIRST, and disapproyal has grown from
many causes. 10 is a very sudden and
drastic change, and our people do not
take well 10 that sort OF change. They
are conservative. and like 10 feel their
way. When they learned that their
schools were TO be taken out Of their
control. as IL seems to them, and boards
and officials, with large power, were in
contral and planned 10 take away their |
school houses. appoint their officers, |
elect their teachers and run their !
schools. they were unprepsred for the
change. and as they talked the matter |
over among themselves a feeling Of
sntagonism spread, until the feeling
was pretty intense
still believe our people are law
abiding people, and believe in doing
things IN an orderly manner. believe
they will accept the verdict OF the |
Judges. and II treated fairly and con-
siderately. VIII incline TO give the new |
law fair trial. This ls the spirit in |
which ! shall accept 10 and shall ad- |
wise those whom have represented to |
DO the same.
Il have been deeply interested IN pub |
lie schools, and have always favored the |
best educational advantages for our
children. l am willing TO overlook the
many objections now have 10 this law !
and the methods that have been, as I
believe, unwisely adopted in putting Il
into operation II the schools are made
better and our children get the advan-
'age Of the money Il will cost What
ever misgivings / have ] am an OPP
timist. and hope that the new law
viii be given a fair trial and that after
a years trial 1t may prove TO be in the
main what we need. After all, the cost
or the experiment may not be too great,
and II its defects are found to be as
great as many believe. 10 will be worth
Inc cost II II leads TO the adoption of
improvements that meet our needs"