DEFENSE OBJECTS TO OPENING PRAYER IN SCOPES TRIAL; JUDGE OVERRULES
Dayton, Tennessee (JFK+50) On July 14, 1925, Clarence Darrow, leading defense counsel in State of Tennessee v. John T. Scopes, "formally objected to opening the trial with prayer."
His objection was overruled by Judge John T. Raulston. Rev. A.C. Stribling, pastor of Cumberland Presbyterian Church was then permitted to give a prayer which "called down blessings upon all concerned."
The judge had insisted that the prayer not include any mention of the trial itself. Judge Raulston stated that it had always had been his custom to open his trials with prayer and saw no need to make a change for this one.
JFK+50 NOTE
According to The Washington Times, Rev. H.G. Byrd was "driven out" of his church by his "congregation of fundamentalists" and has decided to give up the pulpit and become an electrician.
Apparently, the reverend said some good things about evolution and/or the defense of John T. Scopes. In any case, as James Bond said in the opening scene of 'Goldfinger,' "Shocking, absolutely shocking!"
SOURCES
"Blow At Scopes Trial Prayer Fails," by William K. Hutchinson, The Washington Times, July 14, 1925, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/
"Monkey Shines," International News Service, The Washington Times, July 14, 1925, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/
