Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-08-20
COMMUNICATED ]

why are Not the sunday Laws En-"
forced4-Where the Responsibility
Rests.
As the Sabbath is gradually getting to be
day of traffic in the city, and encroach-
ments upon the laws OF the city in reference
to this sacred day are allowed to pass by
unnoticed by those whose duty it is to bring
these parties to account, and as so many Of
our best citizens have expressed their opiu-
ion condemning the loose way in which our
city officials are discharging their duties, and
wishing that some public notice would be
made of their actions, but Sinking the uH-
pleasant duty themselves, l feel it my duty
as d citizen to step forward aud speak in
behalf OF morality and Christianity, by
publicly showing where the responsibility
rests, feeling that I but express the senti-
ments OF the larger portion Of our intellec-
tual and respected citizens. Our city ot1-
cials, especially the City Marshal, City
Sheriff and policemen, are SOlernrLy sworn to
discharge their duties In enforcing the law
against all violatOrs. AS we are speaking
Of the Sabbath day, we will contine our
selves to the law bearing on It, and see II
these gentlemen are discharging their obi
cations to their fellow citizens, and II they
sre not, will they please do so, or else resign
their office to others whO WH. The follow
ing extrscts from the ''COde of Savannah
win put the subject in true lights
SECTION -. No person whatsoever shall
exchange. barter, sell, or offer or expose for
sale after u o'clock on every Saturday night
aud until u O'Clock every Sunday night, any
goods, wares, merchandise, fruits, herbs,
malt, viDous or spirituous liquors. or any
other strong drink, or any other IL what
soever, except medicine, milk ana &c.
Sec. -. 1t shall be the duty OF lie Mar
shal, City Sheriff, and policemen % arrest
and report all offenders against this article
TO the Mayor, whose duty it shall be to fine
or punish, etc.
oath Of office "a do solennly swear OF
affirm that l will faithfully execute the
duties of Mayor of the city Of Savannah
according to the law of the State and the
ordinances Of the city to the best OF my
ability and understanding"
The above quotations clearly define the
duties Of these gentlemen, and every citizen
does or can see, that on the Sabbath day
stores are kept open with impunity, bar
rooms open at the back door, fruit sellers
| displaying their fruit, ice cream and gamb-
ling saloons in full blast, until the Christ
ian's heart almost sinks within him In con-
templstiug whether the wicked one has a
stronger nO!d on the nearts Oh the
peOple than the blessed Saviour. A kind
Providence has greatly blessed our city, and
we did not have a repetition OF the epidemic
Of 1876 like our sister city, Memphis, yet, with
all these facts staring Us in the face, our
city is following on in the wake of New
York and New Orleans. What great bless
| ing it would be if we could only get men in
Office who would discharge their duty
fearlessly. l will make a short reference To
the city Of Jacksonville, Florida, ard then
leave the subject to the consciences Of onl
rulers. The Mayor Of Jacksonville, though
a Jew, has had all the stores and barroOms
| closed up on the Sabbath, giving 1t Chris
| ti2n- like appearance. When asked why be
was 20 strict in having the Christian Sab
bath observed, he replied, 'that, though II
was not his recognized Sabbath, yet his oath
of office required him to have the Christian
Sabbath duly observed, aud that he was 60
| ing to do his duty" OBSERVER.