THE DARWINIAN THEORY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19530, 13 July 1925, Page 7

THE DARWINIAN THEORY

TEIAL OF A PEOFESSOE. EVOLUTION v. CHRISTIANITY. DEATH GRAPPLE TO BE DECIDED. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. NEW YORK, July 10. The trial of Professor John Scopes on a charg-e of teaching the Darwinian theory of evolution in violation of a State statute is in the first stag© to-day, with the drafting of a new indictment assuring the strict legality of an accusation satisfying the defence, who expect that the case will go through the State Supreme Court to the Federal Supreme Court. They state that the issue for determination is whether education is to be made to conform to the tenets of any religion, contrary to the Constitution. Mr Bryan, whose son has also joined the staff of prosecutisg attorneys, totalling nine, say the issue is evolution versus Christianity. He declares that the trial uncovers an attack which has been made covertly against Christianity for a generation. It will bring out information upon which the death grapple between evolution and Christianity will be decided. If evolution wins Christianity goes, for the two cannot stand together. The selection of jurymen will proceed with great care, as the defence if permitted, will present 50 scientific witnesses and prolong the trial for at least a month. If he is found guilty Scopes will be liable to a fine of between 100 and 500 dollars.—A. and N.Z. Cable. TRIAL TO COMMENCE TO-DAY. NEW YORK, July 11. (Received July 12, at 5.5 p.m.) The trial of Professor Scopes will be commenced on Monday. The jury was chosen on Friday. The defence was granted a delay in order to confer on points which it desires to stress in the contention that scientific testimony shows that the theory of evolution and the story of Divine creation as told in the Bible are not in conflict. The indictment under which Professor Scopes will be tried charges that he taught theories that deny the story of the Divine creation of man as taught in the Bible, and did teach that man had descended from a lower order of animals. —Reuter. CONVICTION EXPECTED. PREJUDICE AGAINST EVOLUTION. NEW YORK, July 11. (Received July 12, at 5.5 p.nT.) It is generally conceded that in so far as this court is concerned the proceedings will be, purely perfunctory. Professor Scopes is expected to he found guilty largely owing to a prejudice locally against evolution. The real contest will then begin in tire higher courts. In the meantime the most noticeable feature is Dayton’s disappointment that the trial, which was expected to attract thousands of people, has drawn only about 1500, many of whom are newspaper men, photographers, and concessionaires. The last-named are grumbling at the lack of business as the hotels have drastically cut their rates. Moreover, although it was once intimated that the most brilliant scientists in the United States would rush to the aid of the defence counsel for the latter is now most reticent regarding the names, which seems to indicate that a considerable section of the country, including some of the keenest minds, is determined to take only an amused interest in the proceedings at what is now jocularly called "Monkeyville.”—A. and N.Z. Cable. REMARKABLE SCENES IN DAYTON. MIXTURE OF CARNIVAL AND FANATICISM. NEW YORK, July 10. A message from Dayton (Tennessee) states that a curious mixture of the spirits of carnival and fanaticism has seized the town in consequence of the flood of visitors. Refreshment concessions have been rented by the town council, which is using the proceeds to refurnish the court-house, repair the town clock, paint the benches, sweep the streets, and hire extra policemen lo assist two town’s solitary marshal to direct the heavy traffic. Gay punting covers the stores and residences during the daytime, while coal glows at night under beef-roasting contrivances on .the concession ground. Hundreds of newspapermen and numerous photographers are present and give every happening publicity all over the country. An army of evangelists from all parts of the United States is holding prayer meetings in the halls and in the open air day and night, in support of the prosecution. The following is typical of their outbursts: —“I tell you, they are nothing but a big bunch of anarchists, atheists, and scoundrels, who are trying to take our children to Hell with them.” Numerous roadway posters exhbrt the passers-by to read the Bible and be saved. Competin'! for attention are ihe signs of local real estate agents, reading: “Locate, build, and prosper in Dayton.”— A. and N.Z. Cable. An earlier message from Dayton stated that the population of 2000 of this rural town was expected to be augmented fivefold temporarily during the trial of Professor John F. Scopes, a young teacher of biology, who is charged that ho taught the Darwinian theory of evolution in violation of the recent Tennessee statute forbidding instruction on matters contrary to the letter of the Bible on the subject of the creation. Professor Scopes voluntarily submitted himself to arrest for the purpost of testing the validity of the statute, which, he alleges, violates the Fourteenth Amendment of the Constitution, forbidding the abridgment of privileges and immunities or the deprivation of the liberty or property of a citizen of the United States by individual States.