The New York herald., 1874-11-29
The Sunday Law.

A petition, bearing the names Of large
number of our most eminent and influential
citizens, has been addressed to the Board OF
Police Commissioners, calling their attention
to "the fragrant and increasing violations of
the law Of the Slate which prohibits theatrical
and other entertainments of the stage on
Sundays" and asking that this law ''may be
promptly and impartially enforced against oil
offenders" Under the statute in question,
passed in 1850. it is mot lawful to exhibit on
the first day of the week. called Sunday, to.
the public in any building, garden, grounds,
concert room, or other room or place. within
the city and county of New York, any inter
lude, tragedy, comedy, opera, play, farce,
negro minstrelsy, negro or other dancing or
other entertainment of the stage, or any part
or parts therein; or any equestrian, circus
or dramatic performance, or any performance
OF jugglers, acrobats or rope dancing"
This law further provides that for the viola
ton of it the offending party shall be held
guilty Of misdemeanor, and, in addition to
the punishment therefor, shall be subject to
fine of FIVE hundred dollars, which the Society
for the Reformation of Juvenile Delinquents
are authorized to sue for and recover for the
use of said society; and any violation Of this
law forfeits the license of the building ofevery
party consenting to such violation.
Such is the law relating to Sunday amuse-
ments within the city and couuty of New York.
In practically becoming dead letter-by con-
sent of the authorities charged with its enforce
ment-the idea seems to prevail that the law
has lost its vitality. But this is o mistake;
and now that the Police Commissioners have
been 30 forcibly reminded of their duty in
the premises the execution of the law
may be looked for. The Police Commits
sioners, however, say they are restrained by
legal injunctions from taking action in many
cases but this does not entirely relieve
them of their duty. We either have laws or
we have not, and there can be no choice for
the authorities charged with enforcing them.
Many of the acts passed at Albany seem to
have been made expressly to be broken but
it must be remembered that when one law is
habitually violated it brings the others into
contempt This shows the evils of too much
government and the folly of legislative med
ding; but these evils are not to be removed
by insubordination. President Grant ex-
pressed the true policy in his first Message,
when he said, Gail laws will be faith
fully executed, whether they meet my
approval or not Laws are to govern all
alike-those opposed to as we'll as those
in favor of them. I know no method
to secure the repeal of bad or obnoxious laws
so effective as their stringent execution No
reasonable objection can be made to this argu-
ment, and we are glad to see among the sign
ers to the petition the names Of Lester Wal
lack and Dion Boucicault The opinions Of
these eminent representatives Of the drama
upon the value of the law have been fully
expressed in our columns, but they deserve all
credit for urging its execution. Let us have
the law enforced strictly and the Presidents
policy carried out, and then we shall be en-
abled to judge better of its effect upon the
public interests