New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-12-06
THE PENAL CODE.
ACTION OF THE ALDERMEN.

At the meeting of the Board of Aldermen
yesterday Alderman Michael Duffy offered the following
preamble and resolution:
whereas The recent enforcement by the constituted
authorities OF Laws which, by reason OF more @
rcasunab bile aud considerae IDEAS of humanity had be
TO be viewed subversive OF the hDerty 81 Iuu
ual citizens In government democratic ID Ioi Us
cOerciye TO sectarian and sOcaled religious enac
has excited the community OF TINS, the most cosops
tan city of the known world. sul1ecung inc poorest vi
citizens 10 the most inconvenience by loss or tue means
for Their subsistence; al, , A.,
YorK resolution h.rewth express their earnest anu
depreciation at he folly OF the state
and human progress had caused TO view as most run
tanca aud obsOlcte AMI we therefore ask the Legsn
ture 10 assemble (which, Fortunately, VIII De Delno
crac) Ia repeal ut the earliest possible OpPOrtu!
odiOus Sabbaiaran clauses In the fens lena ouo, en
joy the privileges guaranteed by magma Charta I'M
fettered by originating in religious fanatacisn
Mr. Duffy moved the adoption OF the preamble anu
resolution. Mr.. McClave promptly moved that they De
Laid over for one week. Mr. Levy saId that the laws
were nfamouJ d outrageous and should BIO denounced
In the most emphatic terms by the Board No beloved
that before the coming Legislature had boen III session
for week these obnoxious laws would be repealed and
citizens allowed TO enjoy Sunday kuS-
ain ,ud show nothing worse than the Penal Code Ii
was "a disgrace TO civilization, and one OF the greatest IN
in American history. Alderman Martin ueciareu
thai tn SO ne 1aous laws would DO blotted from
the statute book b. tho Incoming Dem0crato LesiS'-
Mr McClaye said that the resolutions introduced
for bumcOmbe purposes, Why did not Don0cratc
LEGISLATURE last session mOdify the Code MI
Lew declared that 1t hard that any man snond DC
deprived of an opportunity purchase cigar on sun
day or eujOy "a shave on That day because SCI oi
fanatics wish IL ~. He even willing mat al TO-
spectabe liquor should bs kept open on sunday
MIR Wells opposed to The Board recommending Tue
repeal of entire Penal Code Mr.. flzpatrlcR was
very indignant at the outrages perperated under e
provisions Of the Code. lie said, somewhat to tue sur
prise o his colleagues that he was Christian ana NJ
tended church. -.
At length had on MI. McClave's amendment,
and IL defeated by vote OF 6tO 10, srlct parry
vote. MIR McClaye tnen moved that the resolution 20
amended by striking out the word fortunately
(rcferrlng to meeting Of the Democratic Le1siaturc
and inserting the word unfortunately" Tnis also was
lost A vote wasthen had on the original resolution
Wnen Mr. Hawcs's reached ne sald tbat the
resolution was arg1menttiv and tlat it stated as tacs
tIings shown 10 be flcs; mat was aogeter oo
broad IN its scope. what Penal Code really du was
To but ola iawsln shape IL would have Deeh Wise
had tue Legislature modified the laws To some extent
bur il gong altogether TOO Tar To ask the LeEIs
ture 10 repeal all the relating to the observance vi
SUNDAY rhe preamble and resolution were adopted ny
a vote OF Ia TO D.