Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1915-03-11
bASkETFUL Of
PETITIONS ON
BIBLE BILL

Montpelier. March 10.-Senatc "a,
the bill requiring the reading Of ten
verses of the Bible in the public
schools came up for discussion at the
hearing before State schools commit
tee ~ might. The bill has provoked
some opposition from the Jewish citi-
zens. This morning. however. the
House received a whole basketful Of
petitions favoring the bill. About 400
towns had sent in these favorable pc
titions.
The opponents Of the bin character
lied it as a dangerous attempt to in
troduce worship in public schools.
The advocates believed that the
Bible contained moral precepts
needed by the youth of the state and
thought that a properly edited text or
syllabus could be prepared which
would remove all sectarian contro-
versv.
The bill provides for at least ten
verses daily without for the
historical. literary and moral benefits
to be derived from such n custom.
The school directors are to edit the
Bible and to eliminate all portions
that might give rise to sectarian con-
tfoVersN' Any parent or guardian,
may by written request have his child
excused from such morning reading.
rather ID. j.. O'Sullivan of st. Adams
noted the great differences of inter-
probation even in the Ten Command
ments and the Sermon on the Mount.
He doubted If the Bible in the schools
would tie them up to their moral
mornings. SO many differences OF
opinion will discredit the Bible. and viii,
make the children skeptics. lie look
ed upon the reading as a brand of dis
cord. Secular Knowledge only should
be Taught in the public schools.
Mr.. Phelps of Fair Haven "a Protes-
tant called the bill an injustice and
characterized it as a dangerous stem. He
quoted the Constitution to show thai
the fathers put up every barrier against
sectarianism.
John RI. Senter appeared for the Jew
ish citizens of Montpelier and for him
self. Must we all kneel to the ma
jority of conscience" he asked. He
called the bill unconstitutional in no
uncertain terms and dvise that the
Constitution be studied in all the
schools.
The Rev. +, l.. Abbott and the Rev.
j. 3. Reardon, both Protestant minis
tiers of Barre, appeared gains the
Dill. Mr.. Abbott said that the bill was
unconstitutional in one aspect, that no
person can be compelled to support
any form Of religious worship and
quoted the National Religious Liberty
association to the effect that this bill
was only an entering wedge for more
lintolerant legislation. Mr.. Reardon
stated that a similar bill was before
30 Legislatures. He asked Vermont to
wait for the verdict of other States.
He asked the members to appreciate
h enforcement of the bill would
mean. 1t might force the building of
n parochial school in Barre he de-
,clared.
Senator Powell said that he had fear
ed that it would breed sectarianism
but it passed the Senate, because no
opposition appeared. If there is any
opposition on such a question:. he said
give them the benefit of the doubt.
Mr.. Black of Burlington regretted
that the discussion had come UP, since
it would probably inflame smoldering
prejudice in the hearts of many
1t may breed discord. In the eyes Of
Nit Jaw aAI ltt' are equal.
The advocates of the bill also put up
a strong plea. w. II. Jeffrey believed
that the spirit of fairness shown by tho
opposition augured we'll for the posi-
bility of a syllabus on which all could
agree. Bible reading is not "A religious
service. Do YOU violate the constitu-
ton with a chaplain in your house. in
your states prison and a $1,000 chapel
for your industrial school? He spoke
Of the Vermont boys and girls. he said.
He quoted Cardinal Gibbons. education
without religion leaves out the proper
moral training"
The Rev. W. A. Shaw of Montpelier
said, whatever YOU will have appear in
your national life you must put in the
public schools. No system of education
Is adequate until we provide for moral
training. The Bible gives us the funda-
mental moral precepts." He thought that
a syllabus could be agreed upon.
j. n. Barss of Nergennes. believing
himself to he a man without a creed.
having been affiliated with catholic and
several different Protestant Churches
said that the bill contained something
which was vital to the future Of Amer
va 'di " NV Nc spiil'
how be raised. We send our money to
missions In India and have 80 murders
to one in India, The bin is not an effort
at coercion.
He denounced the narrowness Of creed
and emphasized the Importance of moral
education on the receptive mind of the
child. We are now forgetting to turn
our children loose III the eternal verities
OF God. You can't force the Bible in the
home. A census of homes with daily
prayers would keep You awake nights
He believed that the Governor should he
empowered to call the heads OF all the
churches to agree on n syllabus.
The Rev. w. r.. Dulkeshire said that ne
would not advocate the bill il il provided
for worship. Only in the Bible ne sal id
was it possible to get universal mora
truths. The Rev. II. 4. Rankin and the
Rev. I" A.. Edwards Of Newport. r. g.
Archibald Of Manchester and Mr.. Rlanch-
ard Of Nershirc also favored the bill.
The committee will act mon the hin
tomorrow afternoon.