Under a decision of the Maine Supreme Court, written by Judge John Appelton in 1854, the constitutionality of the new state law requiring the reading of the Bible in the public schools is upheld, according to Ralph O. Brewster, state Senator, in answer to attacks whichh have been made upon the measure.
The issue in 1854 arose from action taken in behalf of a Roman Catholic pupil in Ellsworth, in the public schools of which the reading of the Protestant Bible was required, a violation of the religious rights of the parent and child being claimed.
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