The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-12-17
WON'T STAND IT.
j. B. Billiard Doesn't Want Bible
in Schools.
His Son Refused to Take Part
In Religious Exercises.
SENT HOME BY
Controversy Was Then Re-
ferred to Superintendent.
Board of Education Will Try to
Adjust Difference.
Mr.. Billiard Says He Will Take
Matter Into Courts.
N HOME

st object to religion in the public
schools and if necessary I will bring an
action in the courts to see If the board
of education can force me to allow my
son to submit to religious instruction in
the public schools" said ]. B. Billiard of
North Topeka this morning.
Mr.. Billiard says that his son, Philip
from the Quincy street chool il North
Topeka because he followed the instruc-
tions of his parents and refused to take
part in the religious exercises at the
opening of the school and that Principal
w. h Wright sent him home with a
note to his parents that the matter
would have to be taken before Superin-
tendent Davidson for adjustment
The objections of Mr.. Billiard are made
on account of the resolution presented
to the board of education and adopted
at the last meeting that the reading OF
the Bible and repeating of the Lords
prayer at the opening of school each
morning be compulsory. The resolution
was drafted and presented to the board
for adoption by DR.. J. D. Mcfarland
representing the Ministerial Union.
Mr.. Billiard said this morning: Il pro-
tested against my child being compell-
ed to study religion in the public
schools. He does not go there for that
That was all ne was expelled
for. Before the order was passed by
the school board he was submitting to
1T partially. I went to the school and
saw Mr.. Wright. the principal, and told
him that / did not wish my son to take
part in the religious exercises at the
opening of school and that / preferred
that while they We're being
that he be allowed to continue his
studies and take no part in such exer-
ciSes.
1.-The principal would not allow this
and expelled him.. My son was out of
school a week while / was taking the
matter up with Superintendent David
son. The superintendent arranged that
temporarily, my boy should not go to
school until the religious exercises were
finished. He went to school yesterday
under that arrangement. The superih-
tendent told me that on account of the
action of the board of education he did
not feel at liberty to deviate from the
rule and that this arrangement could
be carried out until the matter could be
brought before the board at the next
meeting. OF course before the board
dopte the resolution there had been
some religious exercises but now the
taking part in the exercises and the
conducting of them is made a rule and
IF the board will not restore him to
school and give him full privileges I
will take the matter before the courts
/ have not consulted others but 1 know
that there are others who do not favor
religious teachings in public schools.
/ do not feel that the time of the school
should be taken for religious teachings
and I think parents should give their
Gil III lSl4SlOuS liz IN LIiCJ
wish to. 1t is contrary to our rights
and the constitution for parents to pay
taxes for religion to be taught in any
form in the public schools.
IF the board compels me I will bring
an action in the courts to see if they
can force me to allow my son to sub
NIT to religious instruction. Mr.. David
son was very reasonable and willing to
do what was right and I hope the
school board will do the same when the
matter is presented to them"
superintendent Davidson said this
morning: M Billiards. son was not
expelled. He was sent home with a
note. The principal of the school, Mr..
Wright, did not wish to act in the mat
ter and referred it to me. I arranged
that the boy should go to school after
the religious exercises until the matter
could be brought to the attention of the
board"
Principal Wright said this morning:
It sim ply ollowed the rules as given
1 referred the entire matter to
superintendent Davidson. 1 have moth
ing further to say about it."
Mr.. G. w. Daily, member of the board
of education from the Sixth ward. said
this morning: Il presume this will
come before the board at the next meet
ing. I do not know what will be done"
A. A. Rodgers, m of the board
from the Fourth ward, said: LAS far
as I am concerned I will do all I can to
see that Mr.. Billiard gets his rights
without having to go to the courts"