The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-07-25

John Crane, on whose motion Mr.. Wllilam
L. Royal was elected chairman.
Mr.. Royal said that he would 60 into no
extended remarks to explain the purposes
OF the meeting. Its purposes are well un-
derstood. We propose to effect an Or
ganization aimed at bringing about such
modification Of the present Sunday laws as
shall preserve perfect order and decorum In
the city, but yet shall leave each individual
to observe the Sabbath as religious insti-
tuition according to the dictates OF his own
conscience. ''
Mr.. Ernest WiitZ was chosen secretary.
On motion, committee consisting OF
Messrs. John Crane, Beverly I. Crump,
and e. NJ. Cardoza was appointed to pre-
pare business.
THE PLATFORM.
The committee retired and consulted, and
upon returning to the hall submitted the
following report:
Whereas the General Assembly Of Vir-
ginia has given the force OF law to tue
opinion of one portion OF the community
that the absolute closing from II O'Clock
every Saturday night to sunrise of the fol-
lowing Monday OF "all places" where
drinks are sold is essential to the proper OBJ.
seryance OF Sunday in this State, and has
thereby deprived large proportion OF our
population-chiefy of the laborng class
Of the means OF peaceably enjoying
in the society OF their friends In
manner satisfactory to themselves the
only day OF rest, recreation, and refresh
ment which many OF them have; ana
whereas the legislation referred to is, in our
| Judgment, in conflict with the enlightened
spirit OF the age, preiudicial to our material
| interests, without any compensating bene-
60 70 no n.
tnual irritation, strife, and excitement in
has established The fact that the suppression
by law of the sale of refreshments ut pub
lie resorts Sunday does not prevent, but
rather increases. the desire for and use OF in
toXlcating drinks on that day, and, more
over, engenders hypocrisy and diSsmula-
ton, and even provokes hostility to the
Christian religion from the belief that over
jealous members Of the Church are mainly
responsible for the enactment and urged
enforcement OF the law : now, therefore,
RESOLVED, 1st, That any effort by appeals
to the reason or conscience Of the people
to induce them voluntarily to keep away
from public resorts on Sunday is legitimate
and proper and can be condemned by none.
I'd. That the only province OF legislation
in respect to making laws for Sunday dif-
ferent from the laws for other days whilst
religious liberty exists is the enactment OF
such laws as are necessary for the mainte-
nance Of order and the preservation OF
| health.
Sd. That whilst many Of us taking part
| in this meeting suffer no Inconvenience or
discomfort from the closing OF saloons and
suburban gardens on Sunday, we who are
which places an embargo on the lawful de.
sires OF others equally entitled with our
selves to freedom Of judgment and action
In matters OF conscience.
| 4th. That for the reasons set forth, and
for others that could be assigned, we con-
scientiously believe that the laws now en-
sting in relation to Sunday should he mod
fled, and to accomplish that modification
we now determine to form permanent or-
ganization.
5th. That though we are uninfuenced by
apy partisan purpose, we yet recognize the
soundness of the doctrine enuuclated in
That part OF the Democratic platform
adopted at St. Louis June %, 1876, wherein
il is affirmed "there should be q total sep
araiion OF Church and State for the sake
alike of civil and religious freedom %; that
there should be "liberty Of individual con-
duct unvexed by sumptuary laws"; and
that "it behooves free people to practice
that eternal vigilance which is the price OF
liberty"
MIR. Creme said that the committee had a
plan OF organization to report after action
had been taken upon the report.
The report was adopted.
... PLAN OF ORGANIZATION.
The following plan was next submitted
by Mr.. Grame:
i. This Association shall be styled "The
Citizens Association"
9. The object Of this Association Is the
organization OF efforts and means for pro-
curing suitable notifications OF the Sunday
laws, State and municipal.
2. ANY citizen who authorizes the enrol
ment OF his name may become MEMBER OF
this Association. No fees or dues shall be
required, but voluntary contributions may
be paid to the treasurer at any time. ANY
member of a cooperative ward association
shall be recognized as a member Of this AS
sociation.
4. The officers OF this Association shall
consist OF a president, vice president, a
secretary, and treasurer. to be elected at
the first meeting, and annually thereafter,
! holding their respective offices until others
are chosen in their stead. .
5. The Executive Committee shall consist
OF the officers and five other members of the
Association, to be elected at the time when
. the officers are elected, and for the same
term. The president Of the Association
shall be e1-oticio chairman OF the Executive
Committee. A majority OF the committee
shall constitute quorum.
G.. The duties of the officers shall be such
as pertain to their respective offices in simi
lar bodies.
7. The annual and other meetings Of the
Association shall be held at such times an6
places as the Executive Committee may ap
point, due notice Of the same to be giver
by publication or otherwise. Ten member!
shall constitute quorum
8. This constitution may be amended a
any meeting OF the Association.
The plan vas adopted.
TIE OFFICERS.
| Mr.. William Flegenheimer thought tha
as the meeting was smaller one than wa:
exn ,ected it would be well to defer the cleo
tion of officers until general mass-meetlne
could be held.
Mr. Crane Thought that the attendance
was yel y good considering the warm wealth
ar and that it would be better TO proceed
With the election OF officers.
Mr. q, eme accordingly nominated FOL
nresident General e. Lindsay Walker
Elected. r,n,,p m
Moore m as vice president. Elected. lThese
t,,o gentlemen were expected at the meet
ino h,,t TOR SOME cause were not present.
Hr Ernest Wiltz was elected secretary
and Alois Rick, Es'qy treasurer. ;.
MIR. Myer May mas eiec'eo SCI iSe"n'.1
arms. .o,,,,,rr,,-, +