http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oregon_Compulsory_Education_Act
Absolutely. This is easily one of the best pieces of legislation ever passed by a state in US history, even if the courts struck it down. I'm actually amazed any state actually did ever propose to completely abolish private schools, I always assumed that was just a far out dream of mine.
People in the northern parts of the United States tend to have an authoritarian streak.
Yes, we have a history of being real slavedrivers there.
Yup, Northerners drove and sailed slaves to many places. The North became anti-Slavery not so much because they loved freedom, but mainly because they didn't want ns living among them, taking jobs from white men and driving down wages.