The Washington times., 1905-04-13
Mr.. Prescott's Remonstrance.


Under the heading. "A Protest Based
or Christian Principles W. W. Pres
colt read lengthy remonstrance
against teaching religion in the public
schools during which he characterized
II as an un-Christian act for professed
Christians. even though they be in a
large majority, to seize upon the power
and resources of the state for such a
purpose.
The Rev. A. T. Jones advocated the
Principle. That in the interest of do
nestle tranquility the board should ex-
clude the whole question even from
decision, because there is already in the
schools the reading of the Bible and the
teaching of obedience TO the laws of
Those who have raised this issue.
he continued. have said this is not
sufficient and that there must be the
specific teaching of religion that shall
be gained. how long will it be before
the demand will be made for specific
sectarian or even denomnational relig-
ious teaching. ard it is perfectly plain
that before the thing shall have gone
thst far the thief question before the
city OF Washington will be how to main
tain domestic tranquility.
Appeal to the Courts.
Another item which adds great en-
phasis to this point is the fact that it
has been stated in the public prints if
this matter shall be pushed to the limit
the leaders have proposed the issue will
be contested even to the Supreme Court
of the United States. Can it then be
TO the interest of the schools of the Dis
trict of Columbia that the School Board
shall allow itself to be involved in a
course of litigation, for when that shall
occur. then again one of the most Seri-
Gus phases of the whole question will be
how to secure domestic tranquility
Mr. Colcord's Views.
The Rev. w. A. Colcord, who made the
final presentation for the Adventists
said in part:
Because there are homes in which re-
Iigion is not taught, it does not follow
that the state, or some institution If
the state, should undertake - teach it.
The home, the church, and the privae
school are the natural. legitimate, and
proper places for teaching religion.
Because crime, immortality, and ire
ligiol are on the increase, does it fol-
low shat religion should be taught Ill the
public schools? If the church teaches
religion and the state teaches religion,
both are engaged in the same work
There is no distinction between the two
Furthermore, If it is Il proper thing
for the state TO use its money and It's
servants TO teach religion, 1t is proper
for II To go Il step further. and use its
power in requiring obedience ID the re-
figion taught This is the next lngical
STEP and this means persecution.
Beard Takes No Action
The board took no action On the pro-
test last night, and it was Indicated that
vet many days would elapse before the
question OF moral teaching in the
schools, on a distinctly religious hasis,'
is finally decided. The hearing granted
the adyentists occupied exactly forty
five minutes.
Other petitions OF a similar Mature
were received from:
The Brotherhood of Ohav Shulum He
brew Congregation the Grace Evangeli-
cal Lutheran Church, A S. Solomons,
S. S. Burdette, and Z. Berliner.
A letter was also read from Rabbi
Louis Stern against the introduction of
religious instruction in the public
schools.
Business of the Board.
other business before the board in
Guided the setting of commencement
dates as follows: Mckinley Manual
Training School. Lafayette Theater,
June Is; Normal No. 2. Miner School,
June Is, 10 O'Clock; Armstrong Manual
Training School, June 16; Business High
School, Lafayette Theater, June 10; NJ
Street High School, June 20; Central,
Eastern and Western High Schools,
Convention Hall, June q: Normal School
No. i. Franklin Building, June p, 10
O'Clock.
A letter was received from Thomas
c Moves, president of the Washington
baseball club. placing At the disposal
OF the board the National Baseball Park
for the drill OF the High School Cadet
battalion o.. May % and q. for which
the board extended a vote of thanks.
Formal announcement was made of
tho death of Walter +. Rodrick, secre-
tarv OF the board, on April 5. 1906. The
heard expressed deep regret. and or
dered tDat. as mark OF respect. the
days on ali school buildings be at half
nast for q period Of thirty days from
the date of his death.
William w. Conner, who for five years
hoe heen clerk in the Board Of Educa-
tion office. was unanimously elected to
succeed Mr. Rodrick. The promotion
Teans an advance in salary for, Mr.
Conner from 81. 400 TO $1,000.
other promotions made were: Luther
eadgwar, from $500 to sa26; j. Smith.
rom 81 ODg to 81, 400; r. O. Wilmart from
$50 to 81 900. and Dwight w; Fisher,
cierk at Central High School, trans
tered to Board Of Education office. at
$40. .r,,,,,o+ion
,o3,dafec for DOgitiOus in the COOK