It is the duty of the State to educate, and the right of the people to demand education.

He refused an offer to become Attorney-General again.  shall be absolutely free" in a federal Australia. He did not stand for election in the 1895 elections because he needed to support his large family during a period when parliamentarians were not paid.

Barton first became an MP in 1879 in the Parliament of New South Wales. Barton resigned as Prime Minister in 1903 to become a judge of the High Court of Australia serving for 17 years until his death in 1920.