Daily Republican., 1882-12-05
Defense OF Photograph Mem.
FOR the RRPuBLIoAN. 2 2 %

4
notice in the proceedings Of the ses
sion of the City Council, held on Thurs
day evening last, that our Solons are
still harping on the enforcement of tht
Sunday law in regard to persons carry,
ing on regular business on that day
In the course of discussion, provok cd
by a resolution offered by Mr.. Garrett
requesting the mayor to enforce the
law, 1t was stated that certain Photo
graph galleries on Market street be-
tween Third and Fourth streets, and
one on Third street between Market
and King streets, were kept open on
Sundays; and the regular Business tran
sacted therein" How does the gentle
man know this statement to be true !?
Has he visited these places and had
his photograph taken or does he make
the averment only on common rumor I?
If he does not know it to be fact
from personal observation he has: no
right To make the assertion, as he does
gross injustice to the proprietors of
these establishments, much less has he
the right in open session of the City
Council to charge the Mayor with not
performing his duty In the premises,
rs he has not q sointilla of evidence to
prove the charge. 1t Is astonishing
what great advocates persons some
times become of the preservation of the
sanotlty OF the Sabbath. For years
they will constantly be engaged in
some avocation in violation of the Sab
bath laws and amass large portion of
their earthly riches on that day, but
when they can no longer get some poor
workman for mere pittance to work
on Sunday, they suddenly become ex-
tremely shocked at the saoreligiousness
of doing any secular work on the Sab
bath and raise their hands in holy hor-
ror at the bare idea that the authorities
do rot enforce law that neither the
Mayor, the police or the members Of
the City Council have particle Of sub
stantial evidence has been violated.
For number Of years that very sam Q
square the charge might have been
made and proven by unquestionable evil
denoe, until here of late.
But why do the members of council
confine themselves to making attacks
on photographers and vendors OF cigars?
II they are sinCerein their purposes, and
really desire to stop all Sunday traffic,
why not stop trains OF cars from run
ming through our city on Sunday, or
steamboats, from leaving our wharves
freighted with people who really seek
suoh means for mere pleasure, and
nothing else. This is equally unlawful,
but 1t is In the interest of great moD-
led corporation. And many Of the men
who reap pecuniary benefits therefrom,
are professed members of the Christian
Church.
These railroads not only run trains
every Sunday but every once in while
put q large force of men to work right
In the very heart OF the city, tearing up
tracks and relaying them. But these
gentlemen say this is a work Of neoeS
sity. Who would be injured II 1t were
doae on a week day =? Why, say they,
the travelling public would be iRcom-
moded, and this should not be. Oh, no
the wealthy must not be interfered
with, but q poor man who desires to
get his photograph taken on Sunday,
because he really cannot afford to lose
the time required on q week day, on aC.
count of the low wages he receives, is
unworthy of regard and the aristo-
Gracy who loaf three days ont of the
six, brow beat tine Mayor because he
does not enforce the Sunday law. We
would advise these gentlemen to be con.
sistent. Ifyou are going to enforce the
law do not contine yourselves to strik-
ing at the poor and small business
men but let portion of your malediC,
tions fall upon the huge monied corpo'
rations, and then people will believe
that you are actuated by honsst mo-
tives and not influenced by disposi'
ton to do injury to more successful
business rival. JUSTICE