New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-03-27
AmENOLNG TIE PENAL CODE.

II is doubtful if the amendments made To the
Penal Code i'm the bill which has passed the
Senate and is to be the special order IN the
Assembly tomorrow are in any way desirable.
Their true intent Is perhaps best shown by the
fact that sTimr Campbell is their sponsor in
the Assembly. He tried to have them rushed
through without reference to committee, out
was thwarted by the vigilance OF the kepup-
lican members. The most he could accomplish
was to have the judiciary Committee Instructed
to report tomorrow. This hurried the subject
somewhat, but it secured opportunity Tor
thorough examination, and this we trust Will be
improved The amendments approved by the
Senate permit fishing, shooting and all kinds OF
hunting ON Sunday, and the sale of tobacco aud
food throughout the day. They also enlarge
the scope of the section which forbids all 10 Dor
on Sunday save works OF charity and necessity,
by making it prohibit only such labor as is
@seriouS interruption of the repose and Iellg-
Ious liberty of the community" Another
section is so amended as TO enable Hebrews who
observe their Sabbath on Saturday to keep
their shops open on Sunday.
The most Objectionable changes arc those
which permit the sale of food and tobacco
throughout the day, and allow fishing. by per-
uniting all kinds Of food to be sold the day OF
rest for bakers. butchers, grocers and all mai
ketmen is virtually lost. If one man keeps his
shop open the other will have to do so OF lose
his trade in all localities where there is any
competition. The majority of tradespeople are
satisfied with the law as it stands. They are
content to close their shops at o'clock and
have the remainder of tho day for rest 1t is
10 in,ef hat IN
beast ought to rest one day in seven, and that
anything which interferes with that rest Is
serious evil to the community. So also with
the amendment allowing the sale OF tobacco
during the day. This, in addition to forcing
all stores to keep open il few do. will simply
be clumsy disguise for liquor selling. All that
will be necessary will be cigar counter in
front and bar in a back room. This amend
ment Is pernicious in every way and ought
to be rejected.
The fishing clause works in n similar way.
If it only permitted a man TO take Ills rod and
90 of quietly on II fishing excursion, the COM
munity would not be injured. But its effect
will be much wider than that. Hone fisherman
is permitted to go of in his boat on Sunday to
pursue his business of procuring fish for mar
ket. others who would like To stay at home for
rest, Will be forced to 90 or suffer injury in
their business The clause works no harm
"a it stands, and there is decided injury posi-
bic in Its repeal. The same may be said of all
the other changes. There are no complaints
that the Code is at present causing inconvcD-
fence to anybody. Our best legal authorities
are of opinion that it is on the whole best to
leave the law as it stands. The courts treat its
regulations us elastic, to be applied according
TO different circumstances. There are strong
moral grounds for its maintenance but putting
these aside, the physical well-being of man
kind imperatively demands SOME law which
will enforce day of resG. The present law
does that, and while it may have its defects we
doubt very much if the pending amendments
remove any of them.