Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-04-26
BOARD OF EDUCATION
CITIZENS PROTEST AGAINST RE-
LIGIoN IN SCHOOLS
Meeting Held Last Night - Several
Speakers Heard-Other
Matters.

The board of education at it's meeting at
| the Franklin building last night heard addi-
tlonal arguments against the introduction
| of religious or moral instruction In the pub
| lie schools. The board took the question
under consideration and 1t was announced
| that no action will be taken until a full
attendance of the board can be had, which
| has been impossible for several weeks
| owing to the continued illness of General
Boynton. president of the board. General
Boynton is improving, however, and will
| probably be able to attend the meetings of
| the board next month.
| At last nights meeting a protest was
presented to the board on behalf Of the
| preachers representing the Methodist Epis-
copal Church South in the District deplor-
ing the present 'unseemly agitation over
| the question of the proposed introduction
OF religious 10 into the public
signed by Rev. John Lee Brooks pastor Of
| Emery Church; Rev William F. Locke.
| pastor of Mount Vernon Place Church;
| Rev. D. L. Blakemore, pastor of Epworth
| West Washington Church, and Rev. ]. c.
| Hawk. pastor of Marvin Church The doc
| ument sets out number of specific grounds
of objection to the system contemplated by
! the committee of fifteen and while SYM
pathizing with the purpose of the move
| ment for better morals and citizenship,
protest against the means proposed as I'M
wise, futile, Subverstve and impossible.
Among those who appeared in person to
| register their sentiments against the in
| PRODUCTION of religious instruction in the
schools were Mr. Simon Wolf. chairman of
| the committee on civil and religious rights
| of the Union of American-Hebrew Congre-
cations; President David Eccles and Dr.
| j. ]. Shirley of the Secular League: repre-
| sentatives of the Methodist Episcopal
Church South, and Rev. Alexander Kent,
| pastor of the Peoples Church. Petitions
opposing religious instruction in the
schools We're received from Mrs. NJ. M
| Turner and from the knights of Labor.
| Mr.. VOLTS Address.
| Mr.. Wolf made the principal Address and
| endeavored to show that the proposed plan
| was dangerous in spirit and tendency and
| entirely uncalled for in the instruction of
| the youth of a great republic. In his state
| ment he dsavows any intention to act as
| a sectarian, and he asserts that the advo-
| Gates of the proposition to legislate, by
| rule, religion into the public schools claim
| that they have no desire to unite church
and state but, he says, he supposes they
| do not consider the step at this time wise
| or opportune; that would naturally come
| later If they are successful in the innova-
| ton now proposed" Continuing, he de-
| clares while already suffering from inno-
vations and infractions, which never
| should be made by the board of education
| of our city, worse conditions would ensue,
| and from what is simply tolerated we
| would be compelled to endure-unless legal
| steps were taken to bring the matter to the
| highest tribunal of our land, to the right
| of any appointed elected board to in
| wade the privileges of the individual citizen,
| in the matter of conscience or the teaching
| of religion in the public schools
| Mr. Wolf reviews previous efforts on the
| part of religionists to secure recognition OF
| their institutions, and insists that his OPP
| position is not founded on opposition to
| any religious faith.
| 1T is extremely doubtful" says Mr. Wolf
| whether certain practices now in exist
| ence in the public schools of the District of
| Columbia are legal, such the singing of
| hymns, the celebration Of certain religious
| holidays, the recitation of certain prayers"
| Reference is made to the opinion that has
| been expressed by some persons that the
| United States Supreme Court has declared
that this is a Christian nation, and Mr.
| the idea that the Supreme Court ever made
| such ruling.
| communication was received by the
| board from Caroline NJ. Murphy, as chair
man, and Julia B. Foraker, vice chair
| man of a committee of the Continental Con-
| gress of the National Society of the Daugh-
| tiers of the American Revolution. requesting
| that such steps be taken will insure the
| introduction and permanent success of the
| school city" in all the schools of the
| District.