Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-12-04
NEW YoRk's new PENAL Law.
A Curious Predielment for Sunday
Papers.-The Execution Of the
Law a Farce.

New YORK, Dec 2.
The new penal code OF this State goes into
force at IL tonight. Under this new law no
work is allowed during the Sabbath, except
that in connection with the markets, barber
shops etc., which must close at 9 in the
morning. If the law is strictly enforced all
the Newspaper offices will be closed by the
police at midnight tonight and kept closed
| until midnight of Sunday. The police COM
missioners are in q quandary as to its rigid
enforcement.
New YORK, Dec 8.
Notwithstanding the would be vigorous en-
forcement of the new penal code the saloon
/ keepers do not appear to be affected with the
| ills which have befallen their less fortunate
brothers. Policemen were on the street all
day, not with the remotest idea of entrapping
| the vendors of lager beer and liquors, but to
see that people in other business did not
| violate the sanctity of the Sabbath. Ill over
| the city it was next to impossible to get any
| thing but cigars, beer and whiskey. These
necessitie. were procurable from saloons
| without limit. 1t is no eXaggeration to say
drunkenness was more prevalent than upon
any recent Sunday. Many who would not
| otherwise think of entering the saloons on
any other occasion did so today to see
whether any harm would befall them as pub.
licans. Neither were molested. Druggists
| claimed they had sold more cigars today than
ever before. They were fairly overrun by
individuals who could not procure cigars at
their regular stands. All kinds Of ridiculous
signs were posted upon business houses
around Fifth avenue and Madison square. 1t
was easy to find BARRIERS who were willing to
take the risks at an advanced price for
shave. All arrests which were made were of
| the poor class.
The police had been told to use their own
discretion in making arrests and they did
| not appear to have taken any risks in the hum
| BILE prisoners they made. Corporations and
every one with any social or political infu-
ence were left unmolested. The first arrest
made for violation of the penal code was
early this morning when laborer, employed
by the Steam Heating Co.. was taken
into custody. About POO people were ar
raigned in the police courts, today, charged
with breaking the Sabbath day. These COM
J prised milkmen. grocers, butchers, drivers
/ of express wagons and other people, boot
blacks, newspaper vendors, peddlers, BARRIERS,
rag pickers. cigar sellers. dry goods dealers,
Chinese laundrymen, bill posters and others.
They were nearly all discharged with repri-
mand and number of Hew brew stOre-keepers
who were arrested were discharged with eau
ton. They all claimed as they observed
| their own Sabbath on Saturday they imaged
the law was not applicable to their creed.
They were informed, however, that they
were mistaken in that idea.
The police of Brooklyn also enforced the
provisions of the penal code. Store keepers
| who kept open were taken into custody, as
we're also bootblacks, newspaper vendors and
rag pickers. The workmen of Long Island
Telephone Company were stopped putting
up poles. bnt were finally allowed to 60 on
with it was explained to the police this was
case of necessity. Hack drivers were al
lowed to remain on their stands to attend
funerals and special calls if they did not OBJ
| struct travel.