Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1882-10-11

design. Commonly, by its enemies. it
has been called a religious measure.
Its true nature, / CONGO We. u very DIFF
ferent, and am upheld IL my vlev by
the decisions Of Courts which have
spoken upon similar laws Fair and
competen; as our legislators are-and
those of course. are the kind xe send TO
make our laws for us-they know very
we'll tina. Legislature in this Territory
has no power 70 pass a religions meas
ure. and Of course have not attempted
the fraud and folly Of passing one. Tn
questionably our Sunday law is purely
police measure, designed to guard tbs
weekly holiday-for it is a holiday,
however il may be kept-as election hoi-
idays are often guarded. and as the
Fourth of July, New Years day and
washington's birthday might be-to
guard, say. that holiday which oftenest
recurs. from being made day of excep-
tionai sensuality and Disorder day,
when the people, ioosed from work and
study. and Icing more than ordinarily
fres 20 look on and participate, shall be
treated TO multiplied spertacles of hu-
man weakness and d4prsvity.-a day,
when the wage laborer. who is tie ma
jority of the male adult population, es
Gaping from bis daily toll and seeking
recreation, shsil he subtiy. deliberately
and assidu0usly tempted and seduced to
s3aunder the hard-got earnings of
week In rieeting and debasing excessee,
to the impoverIsnnent, contamination
and perhaps ruin of his family. which
is-iet 1t never be fOrgottsn-the ever
yelling and very fountain of the State.
Likely enough, the feelings of a respec-
table portion of the community, who
from religious motives want Sunday
observed AS day Of rest, have been
makeweight with the Legislature, in
the passage of the law. Not the
beliefs, but the feelings, Of this re-
spectacle portion of our fellow citizens,
repeat, were no doubt considered. a.
they deserved to be, and as she feelings
OF all IN the Territory are always entl-
tied TO i,e, regardless of any belief, re-
ligiOus or irreligions, they may enter
tain.
One other complaint against the law,
and che only one shall at this time no.
tice, Is. that il bears with special strin-
gency upon the liquor interest. Really
this Is true. Every Sundas Law that has
been framed anywhere in the Union
docs, and any Law that could be framed
must. Sunday IS a day of more numer-
GUS sales ana greater profits, to those
who on that day sell intoxicating liquor,
than TO those VINO on that day engage
! i'll any other occupation. Possibly, If
there were no Sunday Law, merchants
| not engaged in the liquor trade might,
| with show OF reason. complain, as
others not merchants have complained,
| that the absence OF a laH operates IN
equally in favor Of the liquor dealer, in
THIS. that good share of the money 90
ing over his bar on Sunday should, by
rights, be spent over other counters on
week days. Every Sunday law affects
particularly the liquor business-is in
deed enacted with direct reference to
it-fOr this reason; that to or with in
| toxicating drink nine tsuths of visible
public immortality aud nearly ali crime,
- immediately traceabie or connected.
Criticize the law who will, there is
much that seems sensible to be said in
its favor, and after all is said it still
stands among our statutes unaffected
by our talk. There it stands, uure-
pealed, a police measure, which the Leg
islature had the right, and has seen tit.
TO enact. each Of us Ii interested In hay
ing 1t obeyed, simply because it is tue
law. Reason ana patriotism would be
dishonored by US, if We refused to fol
low their lead to It's enforcement.
Of the formaliiies proper to observe
in the conduct of your proceedings.
gentlemen, you will fiud sufficiently
| full statement in chapters LXXX. and
LXXAI. of our Code. For your infor-
nation, l instruct you to have those
chapters read over aloud to you, before
passing to other business.
PUSH whatever you have in hand to a
quick conclusion. Endeavor to arrange
things SO that you shall be constantly
occupied with necessary matter. Re-
turn into Court your findings at the ear
Hest opportunity. Should you need at
| any time advice "a TO the law, you will
apply to the proper prosecuting officer
, or the Court. On all Occasions and
in every way. as far as in mo lies, you
will find me ready to assist you. Moth
| ing more occurs To me as necessary to
be said now. Such, therefore. being
your charge, gentlemen, you are at lib
| erty TO retire.