The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1869-08-13


Mn. EbfToR,-I see that the vers devoted
but anonymous friend, OF the public. sD." has
been firing away again at the running of the
street cars on the Sabbath. Why his feelings
should be so narrowed up, docs not appear un-
less he is like the thief who cries stop thief.
Icharge upon your sanctimonious CORES
pondent, Mr.. Editor, that he bas perverted
the well known facts in this matter. charge
him with deliberately stating that which is
VIGOROUSLY untrue, and with making assertions
reckless as to their truth or falsity. When he
pirates of our New England Sabbath, and
pathetically asks shall Portland be the first
city to change this day land use street cars,)
he evidently seeks to mislead and deceive the
public mind.
There is but one construction to put upon
his remarks, and that is, that Portland is first
to run cars on Sunday. 3d." is here guilty,
either of interruptions falsehood or gross ig-
norance. He can take his choice of which
horn of the dilemma he will choose to have
The street cars are run in Boston and Lowell
on Sundays, lend 1 believe they are in New
Englando and in all cities where there is de-
maid for them East or West.
The cars have also been run in this city and
Westbrook for several years, to the great ac-
commodation of people who are engaged in Ia
Dor throughout the week and may wish to
visit Evergreen Cemetery on that day, and Of
citizens of Wesfbrook attending church in this
city. This is but one of several inaccuracies in
DIS reckless cant.
The running of cars on Congress street.
was commenced at the suggestion Of the pres:
Of Portland, and at the earnest solicitation Of
numerous citizens, whose standing entities
them to consideration. The location of nearly
all the city churches is either directly on, OF
Immediately contiguous, to this line. The
cars go to no pleasure resorts. They PAST
through one of the most quiet and orderly sec
tions of our city, and the character of the
people availing themselves of them on Sunday
is one Of the strongest refutations of the con-
temptible and insulting insinuations of I'D. y
As to how the public are accommodated will
instance one case: A family residing in almost
the extreme easterly portion of the city, are
members ola church in the westerly part, and
desire to attend church twice each day; to d.
that involves walk OF not less than six miles
tAlia pfAS4A oeA OAe5 VI 10 Aoe C4uak W H. LAo1
were not wealthy-had no luxurious carriage
at very serious outlay for them they hired .
carriage to carry them, lawful wicked for them
to do SOY at an expense of $50 per year. Now
they ride back and forth every time for an out
lay of 20 cents per Sunday, or s10,40 per year
This is but single illustration, one case in
many; it is such people as these who are thank.
ing our company ard whom we are trying tc
oblige.
In Philadelphia, the City of Brotherly Love
the question of running the cars on Sunday
was submitted to vote of the people, and they
continue to run them in that city up to the
present time, and have no doubt will con.
tinue to unless they should see one of DIS ar.
ticIes telling them how. wicked they are.
The whole question, Mr.. Editor, is one be-
tween accommodating the people, or catering
to mawkish sentiment of mock morality
The street cars make less noise than an ordin.
airy light carriage, they disturb no one, unless
they are exceedingly anxious to be disturbed
If it is wrong to ride on the cars, it is equally
wrong to ride in carriage; is in violation
of the law to run the cars, it is equally in VIC
lation of the law to drive public carriages, run
ferry boats, operate telegraph lines, etc. etc.
The cars will be run SO long as the people
sustain them, and I have charge of the road.
3D." has not the power to judge for the pub.
lie in this matter, and I shall not be swayed
from my duty by any sepulcbral cant, and al
3D. is such a God-fearing man let me com
mend to his careful consideration the scriptur
al advice as to the mote in thine own eye; le
him look over his own affairs and say If tn
sacred injunction -"let him that is without sill
cast the first stones-was not on the who'll
pretty sound advice and entirely Orthodox
Expecting I'd. to be fully convinced of tn,
error Of his ways, and to take larger views o
worldly affairs, I leave him, merely requesting
that should be make any further assertions il
relation to this matter he viii do 50 over hi
own signature that the people may judge O
their value Ono. w. KICKER,
Supt. P. r. R. Co.