THE DAYTON TRIAL.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 July 1925, Page 2

THE DAYTON TRIAL.

A CI'IUOUS MIXTURE. [Australia A: N.Z. Cable Association.] NEW YORK. July 10. A message from Dayton, in Tennessee, states: “A curious mixture of the spirits of a carnival and of fanaticism hits seized the town in consequent c of a flood of: visitors to Dayton for the trial of .John Scopes, the young teacher of biology, who i- being charged that he has taught in his school, the Darwinian theory ol evolution in violation of the recent Tennessee State statute forbidding instruct ion on any matters contrary to the letter of the Bible on the subject of creation. Scopes voluntarily .submitted himself to arrest, doing so, for the purpose of testing the validity of the statute. In consequence of the influx of visitors, circus and refreshment concessions have been rented by the Town Council, who have used the proceeds to refurnish the Courthouse, to repair the Town Clock, paint the Item-lies, sweep the streets, and hire extra policemen to assist the town’s solitary marshal to direct the heavy traffic. Gnv bunting covers the stores and residences during the daytime, while coals glow at nights under a beef-roast-ing concession on the courthouse lawn. Hundreds of newspapermen and numerous photographers are present, and they give every happening publicity all over the country. Ail army of evangelist- from all part- of the United .States are holding prayer meetings in halls here, and in the open air. day and night, in support of the prosecution. The following is typical of their outbursts: “I toll you they are nothing but a big hunch of anarchists, atheists and scoundrels who are trying to take our children to Hell with them Numerous roadway posters exhort the passers-by to read the Bible and bo saved.

Competing for attention are the signs of local realtors reading : “Locale. build, and prosper in Dayton!’ The trial of Joint Feopes on the charge of teaching the Darwinian theory of ovulation, in violation of the Stale of Tennessee Statute. passed through the first stage to-day. with the drafting of a new indictment, assuring the strict- legality of the accusation. and satisfying the defense counsels who expect that, the ease ".ill go through the State Supreme Court to the Federal Supreme Court. The lawyer- for Seup.es maintain that the issue for determination is whether education is to lie made to conform m the tenets of any religion, contrary to the constitution;

Mr W. J. Bryan, whose sou has also joined the stall' of the prosecuting attorneys, wlm number nine, says that the issue i- “Evolution ver-ns Christianity.” Mr Bryan declares that this trial uncovers the attack which has been made covertly against Christianity for a generation. It will bring out the information upon which a death grapple between Evolution and Chi ist in li iI y will be decided. If Evolution wins, then Christianity goes, for the two cannot stand together. The selection of the jurymen will proceed with great rare, as the defence, if permitted will tne-eiil At) scientific witnesses and will prolong ihe trial for at least a mouth.

If found guilty. > opes is liable to a fine of between 100 and Act) dollars. NEW YORK. July 11. 11 is generally conceded that in-so-fnr as this Court is concerned Scopes’ evolution trial proceedings will be purely perfunctory. Scopes is expected to lie found guilty, largely owing to the prejudice locally against evolution. The real contest "ill then begin in the higher courts. Meantime, the nm-t noticeable feature is the town of Dayton’s disappointment that tiie trial, which was expected to. attract thousands. has drawn only about fifccii hundred, of whom many are newspaper men. photographers, and com essiunaire. The latter grumbling at the lack of business. The hotels have drastically cut their rates.

Moreover, although it was once intimated that the most brilliant scientists in the Dili tod States would rush to the aid of the defence counsel the latter is now most reticent regarding the names, which seems to indicate that a considerable section of the country. including some of its keenest minds, is determined to take only an amused interest in the proceedings at what is now jocularly called ‘-Monkcyviile.”