Page:The World's Most Famous Court Trial - 1925.djvu/285

Rh The Court—Compromise on a foot.

Mr. Darrow—Well, we will call it a foot, I guess more, but I might be wrong again, judge.

The Court—Well, I believe there will be no insistence.

A Voice—Fourteen inches.

Mr. Darrow—I move that it be removed.

The Court—Yes.

Gen. McKenzie—If your honor please, why should it be removed? It is their defense and stated before the court, that they do not deny the Bible, that they expected to introduce proof to make it harmonize. Why should we remove the sign cautioning the people to read the Word of God just to satisfy the others in the case?

The Court—Of course, you know I stand for the Bible, but your son has suggested that we agree to take it down.

Gen. McKenzie—I do not agree with my son.

Mr. Malone—The house is divided against itself.

Mr. Darrow—The purpose, I do not know why it was put there, but I suggest that it be removed.

The Court—I do not suppose it was put there to influence the trial.

Gen. Stewart—Do I understand you to ask it to be removed?

Mr. Darrow—Yes.

The Court—What do you say about it being removed?

Gen. Stewart—I do not care for it being removed, I will be frank.

J. McKenzie—If your honor please, I believe in the Bible as strong as anybody else here but if that sign is objectionable to the attorneys for the defense, and they do not want to be repeatedly reminded of the fact that they should read their Bible, I think this court ought to remove it.

Mr. Malone—May your honor please—

Mr. Hays—May we make our record—

Mr. Malone (continuing)—I do not think that is the statement of the position of the attorneys for the defense. We are trying a case here which we believe has very definite issues, aspects, we believe even though the court has moved downstairs for safety and comfort, that everything which might possibly prejudice the jury along religious lines, for or against the defense, should be removed from in front of the jury. The opinions of the members of the counsel for the defense, our religious beliefs, or Mr. Darrow's nonbelief, are none of the business of counsel for the prosecution. We do not wish that referred to again. The counsel for the defense are not on trial here. Mr. Scopes here is on trial and we are merely asking this court to remove anything of a prejudicial nature that we may try these issues and the court will be taken out of a prejudicial atmosphere. (Applause.)

J. G. McKenzie—If the court please, in reply to the statement of Mr. Malone, I want to withdraw my suggestion in regard to removing the sign, "Read Your Bible," for this reason: I have never seen the time in the history of this country when any man should be afraid to be reminded of the fact that he should read his Bible, and if they should represent a force that is aligned with the devil and his satellites—

Mr. Malone—Your honor, I object to that kind of language.

J. G McKenzie (continuing)—Finally I say when that time comes that then is time for us to tear up all of the Bibles, throw them in the fire and let the country go to hell.

Mr. Hays—May I ask that our exception to those remarks be put on the record and I should like to move the court to expunge the last remarks.

The Court—Yes, expunge that part of Mr. McKenzie's statement from the record, where he said, if you were satellites of the devil. Any body else want to be heard?

Mr. Malone—Yes, I think it is all right for the individual members of the prosecution to make up their minds as to what forces we represent. I have a right to assume I have as much chance of heaven as they have, to reach it by my own goal, and my understanding of the Bible