In 1830, only children of the wealthy who could afford tuition or children whose parents swore a poverty oath received a public education. Most poor parents were too proud to declare poverty and kept their children home. Stevens believed Pennsylvania had a responsibility to provide education to all.
"If an elective republic is to endure for any great length of time, every elector must have sufficient information ... to direct wisely the legislatures, the ambassadors, and the executive of the nation ... it is the duty of the government to see that the means of information be diffused to every citizen." (Thaddeus Stevens 1835) Stevens worked with opponent, Governor George Wolf, supporting the Pennsylvania Free School Act. People were upset because they did not want to spend money for education. Voters threatened to replace legislatures who would not repeal the law. Stevens refused. |
"I would sooner lose every friend on earth than violate the glorious dictates of my own conscience - the clearest command of my official oath. Pardon me, therefore, that I cannot obey your orders. I will not sacrifice your posterity to selfish views ..." (Thaddeus Stevens 1835)
The Senate repealed the law, expecting the House to, also. Stevens gave an impressive speech defending the act. When Stevens finished, the House strengthened the bill instead of repealing it. The Senate followed. Stevens then helped reverse public opinion, making Pennsylvania public schools popular. In 1834, Pennsylvania had 32,000 public students. In 1837, after the Act, there were 150,000.
"Thaddeus Stevens has been frequently referred to as the father of the common school system in Pennsylvania..."
(Thomas Woodley 1934)
(Thomas Woodley 1934)
In 1865, Stevens was crucial to creating the Freedmen's Bureau, a department helping slaves transition to freedom. Stevens' right-to-education belief helped build over 1,000 schools for blacks. |
Stevens left $50,000 to start a school for orphans of all races.
"They shall be carefully educated in the various branches of English education and all industrial trades and pursuits. No preference shall be shown on account of race or color in their admission or treatment. Neither poor Germans, Irish or Mahometan, nor any others on account of their race or religion of their parents, shall be excluded. They shall be fed at the same table." (Thaddeus Steven 1868) Stevens College of Technology, as it is known today, still emphasizes diversity. |