SCOPES SAYS ANTI-EVOLUTION CASE SHOULD BE FOUGHT ON CONSTITUTIONAL GROUNDS
Dayton, Tennessee (JFK+50) On July 8, 1925, International News Service interviewed John T. Scopes*, defendant in the upcoming "monkey trial" to be held here in Dayton.
In the interview, Mr. Scopes states that the anti-evolution case "should be fought out on constitutional grounds" testing the right of a state to dictate the limits of public education.
Prosecuting attorney William Jennings Bryan has predicted a "duel to the death" between evil and Christianity.
Scopes goes on to say that he believes the Tennessee anti-evolution law (Butler Act) is unconstitutional because it violates freedom of religion and property rights.
JFK+50 NOTE
After the American Civil Liberties Union announced it would pay court costs for a teacher who violated the Tennessee anti-evolution law, Dayton businessmen saw an opportunity to bring publicity & economic benefits to their town. They recruited John Scopes to play the role although it turns out he may not have even taught a lesson on evolution.
The 1960 movie "Inherit the Wind," based on the book by the same title, is an excellent portrayal of events in Dayton, TN in July 1925 although "names have been changed to protect the innocent" (as they used to say on 'Dragnet') and it is far from one hundred percent historically accurate.
*John Thomas Scopes (1900-1970) was born in Paducah, Kentucky & educated at the University of Kentucky & The University of Chicago. JTS was a football coach at Rhea County High School (TN) & occasional substitute teacher. Found guilty in the 'Monkey Trial," he was fined $100.
"Scopes Says Fanatics Will Rule If He Loses," by William K. Hutchinson, The Washington Times, July 8, 1925, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/
