The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1882-12-04
NEW YORK.
The New Penal Code in Practical
Operation.
a SOMEWHAT RAcY REPORT.

NEW YORK, Dec. 3.-The new penal code of
TINS State forbidding all work on the Sabbath
except In the markets, barber shops and shops
OF ike nature, and all to be closed at
CLOCK 10 the morning, went into operation at
midnight and notwithstanding the would-be
rigorous enforcement of the code, the saloon
keepers do not appear to be affected itb the
III which has befallen their less fortunate
brothers. Policemen were on the street all
oAS, but not with the remotest idea of entrap-
ping the vendors of lager beer and snir;tnonps
liquors, but to see that people in other kinds
OF business did not violate the say cttv Of the
Sabbath day. All over the city it was next 10
lm possible to get anything but cigars, beer and
Whlskey. These necessities were procurable
from saloons without limit. 1t is no exaggera-
to say that drunkenness was more prevalent
than upon many recent Sundays. MANY per-
sons who would not otherwise think of enter
Ing the saloons on any other occasion, did SO
to-day to see whether any harm would befail
them or the publicans. Neither were molested.
The druggists claimed that they had sold
more cigars tU-day bfisstl oven before. Ihey
were fairly overrun by individuals who could
not procure cigars at their regular stands. All
kinds of ridiculous signs are posted upon busi-
ness places. Around Fifth avenue and Madi-
son it was easy to find BARRIERS who were will
ing to take risks at an advanced price for
shave. All the arrests which were made were
confined to the poorer classes The police had
been told to use their discretion in making ar
rests, 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 influence were left unmolesGed. The
first arrest made for violation of the penal code
was early this morning when laborer EN-
pleyed by steam heating company was taken
into Gust dy About 200 people were arraigned
in the police courts to-day charged with break
ing the Sabbath day. These comprised milk
men, grocers, butchers, drivers of express
wagons, and other vehicles, bootblacks, news
paper venders, peddlers, BARRIERS, ragpickers,
cigar dealers, dry goods Dealers Chinese laun-
drymen, bill posters and others. They were
nearly all discharged with a reprimand. A
number of Hebrew storekeepers who were ar
arrested, were also discharged with a caution.
They all claimed, as they observed their own
Sabbath on Saturday they imagined the law
would not be applicable to their case. They
we're informed, however, they were mistaken
in that idea.
The police of Brooklyn also enforced the pre-
visions of the penal CODE Storekeepers who
kept open were taken into custody, as were
also bootblacks, newspaper vendors and rag
Dickers. The workmen of the Long Island
Telephone Company were stopped putting up
pole, but We're finally allowed to go on when
it was explained to the police that this was
case of necessity. Hack drivers were allowed
to remain on their stands to attend funerals
aud special calls, if they did not obstruct
travel.