Newark post., 1921-02-16
A NEGLECTED HERO
A STORY OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS VS. TAXES

An editorial under the neadllS
noted above, setting forth the his
tory of the present public school
system of Pennsylvania, appeared
in the Philadelphia North Amerl-
can of February 4. The article
was written in support Of the bill
now before the legislature OF. that
state, appropriating $25,0OO,OOO to
the public schools of the state.
Therein, tribute is paid to the
matchless courage, vision and pa
triotic devotion of a single member
of the House. To this man the
state owes a tribute of gratitude.
The dramatic consummation Of his
great achievement is embodied in
the following article:
''Thaddeus Stevens was elected
to the legislature from Adams
county, in 1888, and, chiefly
through his tireless advocacy, an
act was passed, with only one dis
senting vote, establishing a general
system of education by common
schools. 1t was signed by the gov.
ernor on April l, 1884.
"But almost Immediately an
astounding public reaction set in.
Powerful interests were implaca-
bly, opposed to popular education
upon the ground that it would
tend to level class distinctions and
endanger the sanctlty of property,
and they inspired widespread
agitation for repeal. They were
able to capitalize discomfort which
arose when it was realized that the
new system would involve heavier
taxation, and the state was soon
convulsed by a struggle between
the advocates and opponents Of
free schools. In countless COM
munities the conflict split business
and social groups into factions,
disrupted church memberships,
even divided families; there were
sections where boycott or ostracism
threatened any man who dared to
champion the principle, and where
the enmities created persisted for
a generation.
1.-The issue was paramount at
the fall election, and the enemies
,of the public school won over
whelmingly, 3S Of the 81 counties
sending to Harrisburg senators
and Representatives instructed to
repeal the act. Stevens, reelected
by a small plurality, was one Of
those under this mandate. The SEN
ate promptly repealed the law by
a vote of nearly two to one; then
the bill was rushed over to the
other chamber-for procedure was
rapid in those days, and the House
was waiting eagerly to complete
the carrying out Of the popular
verdict.
"An astounding scene followed.
Facing a crowded and overwrought
assemblage-fOr the senators and
most of the state officers had troop
ed into the chamber to witness the
final extinction of the hated public
school law-Stevens audaciously
challenged the legislature, his con-
stituents and the aroused public
by moving to substitute for the
repeal bill one which strengthened
the existing act.
can outburst Of anger and de-
rision greeted his bold stand; ne
waited until it subsidized, and then
exercised his right to speak upon
his motion. 1t is to be doubted
whether any public utterance was
ever made against greater odds
for Stevens had to overcome moi
only the passions and prejudices
Of his hearers, but their pledge:
and their fears of popular clamor.
Probably not in all parliament
ary history can be found an in
stance in which a single speech 81
completely reversed the action OF /
deliberative body. For it not only
carried the lower house against it:
own intentions and the peoples in
structions, but it sent the member
of the senate scurrying back tt
their chamber to reconsider an ac
ton they had already over-whelm
ingly and enthusiastically taken.
"It is certain that no Legislative
address ever achieved a greater
triumph, for by that single appea