Down east and Old Order – June 23, 2015

Maine college town

If you have done crosswords with any regularity, this one should come to you automatically. The University of Maine, is located in Orono, a small town of just over 8,000 people. Interesting facts about it: it is the only land grant university in the United States that is situated on an island in the Penobscot and Stillwater rivers. Its campus was designed by Olmsted who also designed New York's Central Park. It was also the first university in the nation to have a woman chair a major department.

Of particular note – it is one of the few college campuses whose student government is incorporated. They are an actual 501(c) corporation with its own legislative and executive branch. They pass resolutions and help organize speakers and other events. Its student paper, The Maine Campus, is also incorporated.

Wisconsin v. ________ (landmark 1972 Supreme Court case on religious freedom)

Don't you just hate it when a clue says “landmark” or “famous” or “well-known” and you don't know? That was the case in this clue. Chalk up another one for the New York Times crossword in teaching me some more history and law in this case. The landmark case was Wisconsin v. Yoder, and it involved those rabble-rousing Amish folks – I kid you not. The issue came down to the Amish desire to not educate their children beyond the 8th grade vs the state's compulsory education laws.

Three Amish students declined to continue their eductation at New Glarus high school in New Glarus, Wisconsin. The three families were represented by Jonas Yoder when the case went to trial. At the initial case, the three were found guilty and fined five dollars each. The Wisconsin Supreme Court found in the Yoder's favor, at which time, Wisconsin appealed to the Supreme Court.

Since the Amish favor non-confrontation, a Lutheran minister, William C. Lindholm, represented them at the Supreme Court. The Amish argument against compulsory education of their children was that they felt further knowledge put their own salvation in danger. The Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Amish, with William O. Douglas offering the only partial dissent.