Student Issue, 1925—Evolution

In 1925 students used the annual circus parade and a petition to the legislature to indicate their displeasure over passage of the Butler Bill. Five floats in the parade ridiculed the law. One float featured a grave in which Darwin’s theory was buried and a live monkey played about the tomb. Another carried a cage of monkeys, along with printed comments about the legislature’s “monkey business.” The petition was a classic of satirical writing. The students made eight suggestions: (1) that the law of gravity be amended; (2) that something be done about the excessive speed of light; (3) that it be illegal to bring Fords into Tennessee; (4) that Pi be changed to an even 3; (5) that it be illegal to teach that the world is round, in light of the Book of Revelation’s reference to the “four corners” of the earth; (6) that it be made unlawful for alcohol and nicotine to harm the body; (7) that flappers be eliminated; and (8) that morphine be ruled nutritious.

Citation Information

The following information is provided for citations.

  • Title Student Issue, 1925—Evolution
  • Author
  • Keywords Student Issue, 1925—Evolution
  • Website Name Volopedia
  • Publisher University of Tennessee Libraries
  • URL
  • Access Date July 23, 2026
  • Original Published Date
  • Date of Last Update October 16, 2018