Elizabeth daily monitor. [volume] (Elizabeth, N.J.) 1868-1880, 1873-09-29

Intoxicating liquors only to moderate
extent, well knowing that to incapaci
tate themselves for performing their al
allotted tasks would not only subjec
them to dismissal, but diminish the
amount OF their earnings to greater ex
tent than they care to be deprived of
Consequently Sunday is looked forward
to by the drinking class as day special
ly fitted for good spree, and whether
they interfere with others or not they
do not care SO long as no restriction is
put npon their action.
1t is urged in behalf of our working
people, and with good deal of reason,
that they should be allowed certain
degree of latitude, and permitted indul-
gences they are deprived of during the
week. What these indulgences should
be is question. Tn some of the large
cities the running of the horse. cars has
been urged as one, and in response to
the appeals of this class, the cars are
run to enable them to get out of the
city and enjoy the fresh country air. In
other cities, the public parks and librar-
les have been thrown open for their ac-
commodation, but these are not resort
ed to by the class whom it is most de-
sired to reach. All these innovations on
a strict Interpretation of the Divine
command have been permitted in the
hope that crime and drunkenness would
decrease and the moral status of large
class be materially changed for the bet
ter. On the contrary, the number OF
drinking places in these cities have in
creased in proportion to the facilities
extended for recreation. Saloons are
open from early morn till late at night,
and people on their way to and from
church are obliged to listen to obscene
and vulgar remarks from the habitues
of these resorts. In Newark, city
composed largely of working men, the
saloons outnumber the churches four to
one, perhaps more than that. Sunday
is but day Of pleasure-if drinking
and carousing can be called pleasure
to large class of her people, who APP
pear to have no respect for the wishes
of the larger and more respectable class,
but threaten vengeance on all who in
terfere with their way of observing the
day.
The will of the majority is kept in
subsection by the action of non-com-
mitted Mayor, who evidently fears to
exercise the functions of his office, as it
might decrease his popularity among
the Germans.
The experience of Newark is but re-
petition Of what has TRANSFERRED in other
cities, and the people everywhere are
beginning to arise in their might and
demand that the laws bearing upon
this matter be enforced. The press has
generally been found on the right side
of this question, and while it is not urg-
ed that everybody shall attend church,
or observe the Sabbath in any other
way than their conscience may tell them
is right, it is urged that all classes
should conform to the spirit of the law,
and in whatever way one may spend his
time, care should at least be taken not
to interfere with his nejghbor, who has
the same right as himself to observe the
day in his own manner.
If men will spend their time in drink
ing and indulging in other harmful
pleasures, they should go far enough
away from their neighbors as not to
disturb them in their mode of observing
the day. This is all that is asked, and
certainly the demand is not unreason-
able. The fight going on is a desper-
ate one, and the party OF law and order
must in the end triumph.
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