The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-05-25
THE SUNDAY OPENING QUESTION.

The SUNDA1 OfENlN0 QOEbTIONs
One OF the most extraordinary meetings ever held in
this city took place this evening II public gath
cring those who TO support tho Ccntcn
nin Commissioners in their decision in closing tho
gates against the people on Sunday The meeting had
been widely advertised take place In Musical Fund
Hall Every preparation had been by organizers
to secure good attendance OF tho Evangelical Prot
cstant Church gocrs a counter irritant
to the recent large and enthusiastic meetings
OF those In favor Of harmless Instruction and amuse
mcnt sunday Tho result must astonishcd the
manager Of the affair, for not only tho hall ncd
but what Mr. Moody calls Overflow" meetings were
formed out in the street, and tho First Presbyte
church, two blocks away also crowded to It's ut
most capacity Altogether IL is probable that over
1000 people attended the demonstration. This GER
tainy proves that tho Protestant Evangelical
church members OF this staid and conscrva
tive Philadelphia favor OF closing tho
Exhibition doors Sunday. but Philadelphia is not
the world and this exhibition is y worhs fair tho
trends Of the who como II tho doors are
not opened Sunday do despair The call for the
meeting signed by large number OF cinInenty
respectable merchants aud lawyers OF ancient Presby
stock mostly, aud the platform OF hall was
covered by well known philadopnia churchmcn, like
George H. Stuart md Others the list OF Vice pfcsi-
dents given below The audioncc. largely composed OF
ladies', was thoroughly In sympathy with tho cause,
aud applaudcd with extreme libcraIy upon the slight
est proyocaiion.
Hon. William A. Porter was chosen President or tho
meeting. list Of over 100 gentlemen chosen for
Vice Presidents. Among them were Hon. Alexander
Henry. Hon. Joseph Allison, b. Comcgvs. Dr. D.
Hays Agncw Hon J. j. Barclay, Hon. William H.
Allen liz d., Hon. Richard vaux. Hon. Joseph Pol
lock, Edwin NJ Lewis, George H. Stuart, William q.
Moorehead Thomas c. Hand and many other promi-
ncnt Ph,isdephians.
In taking the chair, Judge Porter made carefully
prepared address. discussing the question from
purely legal standpoint IL WINS filed with citations
or the cnactmen,s OF Pennsylvania the subject
and references cases before tho courts In which
these laws have been upheld. IL cool slow
impassioncd argument, but u seemed to
rouse tho audience 10 strange excite
lilo .strove 10 make his hearers
feel and be succeeded perfectly that u sought TO
violate their laws 10 outrage their homes and TO Insult
their religion The rounded sentences OF the clever
lawyer evoked tho loudcst enthusiastic almost
frantic applause HIS most effective point tho
reading of the famous law Of 1892, which has never
b-en repealed. and which Ia tho law by winch tho
class of persons who attended this meeting fought so
bitterly 10 prevent the street from running on
sunday In the city only few years ago.
ANOTHER LEGAL vfxw.
lfr. ]. Charlton Henry. the second speaker. made
good po0 by quoting tho net creating che Centennial
Commssion section of which states that the Ex-
hbltion shall be subject 10 the laws OF this STATE
which. as the President OF tho meeting had shown,
were clearly opposed 10 the opening Of tho Exhibition
on that day The speaker also claimed that u would
DO unjust 70 the holders Of Centennial stock 10
decision which had induced them 10 subscribe The
s2S.ooo.oe0 uvsn by Psnnyivaaipn. and Philadsl-