BRYAN SAYS SCOPES IS 'DOING MORE HARM' TO TEACHERS THAN 'ANY OTHER CLASS'
Dayton, Tennessee (JFK+50) On July 9, 1925, the day before the 'Monkey Trial' is scheduled to begin here in Dayton, Associated Press reports the release of a statement from Dr. John R. Neal*, defense council of John T. Scopes, which says that a constitutional amendment "will likely be forthcoming."
The AP report terms the 'Scopes' trial as "a battle between fundamentalism and evolution."
For his part, prosecuting attorney William Jennings Bryan says "the evolutionists...are relying on the courts to force their views upon the schools."
It is Bryan's belief that Mr. Scopes "is doing more to harm teachers than to any other class."
JFK+50 NOTE
The teaching of Charles Darwin's theory of the evolution of man was in conflict in the view of religious fundamentalists with the teachings of the origin of man in the Bible. This group believed in a strict interpretation of "the word of God." That interpretation did not lend itself to the scientific arguments of evolutionists.
*Dr. John Randolph Neal, Jr. (1876-1959) was born in Rhea Springs, Tennessee & earned his A.B. at the University of Tennessee, 1893, his L.L.B. at Vanderbilt University, 1896 & his PhD at Columbia University, 1899.
JRN taught law at the University of Denver & University of Tennessee & became known as 'the great objector' for his uncompromising support of progressive causes.
SOURCE
"Bryan Raps Scopes As Teachers' Foe On Eve of Trial," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., July 9, 1925, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/
