Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1877-05-17
Bible IN School.

PONTIAC, Ill, May 9.-The Circuit
Court Of Livingston County is still in
session IN this city. Yesterday NOR
ming case No. "a was called. This
involves the reading Of the Bible in
the public schools, and has created
more than ordinary interest. The
plaintiffs declaration recltes that Ed
ward Mccormick vas pupil in the
school taught by Cora Burt; that he
was a Roman Catholic, and that his
father was Roman Catholic, who,
as His lawful guardian, instructed him
| to give nc attention to the reading Of
the Bible, and that if the sams was
read he should rot listen to It, but
persue and study his lessons during
the time Of reading, without noise or
other disturbance whereby the Bible
reading could in any m&nnes. be dis
turhed or interrupted whereuPen the
defendant directors, having full.
notice Of such instructions to said Ed
ward Mccormick, adopted the follow
ing resolution and rule
Resoleed, By the Boad Of School
Directors Of district 10. I, town 20,
range Z, that we fully approve Of the
practice Of Miss Cora Burt, Row teach
ING school In said district, Of reading
chapter from the Bible, or SONG
passage theretrsm, at the commence
ment of school each morning as the
iopenng exercises, and we hereby make
this rule CT order
ssyhat no pupil shah be required TO
be present in the school room at the
time Of such exercise, or join IN such
reading or personally assist in euek
exercise against their wishes, or the
wishes Of their parents, but # present
at the time Of such exercise, all the
pupils are hereby required to lay aside
their books and keep perfsctly quiet
and make no noise or disturbance By
handling their books Or studying or
otherwise during such exercise. Said
exercise Of reading the Bible shall not
be prolonged more than fifteen minutes
aud said teacher is hereby authorized
and directed 5o reasonably punish OF
suspend from attendance at said school
ang pupil, who after having been made
acquainted with the intent end mean
ing of this rule. shall persist IN dis
obeying any Of us requirements.
Said pupils to BE suspended from all
the rights and privileges Of said school
upGl they, by themselves or their par
,ents. shall signify their willingness to
comply with the requirements Of this
rule or order.
This rule was read &c the school By
the defendant, Cora Burt, and eopy
given TO the plaintiff further claims
chat the defendant, knowing the orders
ann directions Of the plaintiffs father,
read at tbs commandment Of -schoal
exercises from the 3ibls that the
plaintiff obeyed the orders and ingtruc-
tons efhis father. and without noise, !
confusion, or disturbance Of any kind. |
whereby the sad Bible reading Ct said |
school was or could be disturbed OF IN
corrupted in any manner that the
plaintiff then and there perusod, stud |
led, and gave attention to 2 textbook |
Of said school that II consequence. |
the said teacher suspended plaintiff |
from said school. etc., TO his damage
Of $1,000. &
The Court House gas -crowed al
day many witnesses were examined.
aud the case ably plead by the attor-
nays. and al night. having spent al
day II arguing the ease, Judge Pills
b0ry took the case under Amusement
for the night. This morning h4 ga7e
his decision IN the casa in faYoc OF the 4
holding that the directors
af our schools have = right &c dictate
what books shall be studied and nsed
II the schosls, and that they aass tho I
right to order The Bible used and
read IN the schools as l9sxt-book wi:a
other studies. judge PilAsburY's de-
eislon IN this case nill be published IN
full. and IS considered ny the f.agsI
profession IS dscision az vast ..n-l
sortanos.