The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-07-04
THE SUNDAY QUESTION.
The President of the Louisville, New Albany
& Chicago Railway on the Running
of Sunday Trains.
,,ublished in Chicago Railway Age.

Gus reasons TO order the dlSconClnuance upon
the Louisville, New Albany & Chicago rail
way, as far as possible, OF all labor on the
Sabbath day. This order was not the result
Of an impulse, nor was it issued without the
expectation of sharp criticism and even I'M
Kind misconstruction; it was made because
considered it right viewed either from a
religious, political or practical standpoint.
1t has provoked more discussion than 1 an
-ticipated, but the expression of a necessity
Tor day of rest on the part of other rail
way managers has been to me exceedingly
gratifying.
While admitting that this is an age of in
tense practicability, and that, in the hurry
and drive of the people of our country,
many are disposed to forget all other con-
siderations than those of gain, this discus
sion has demonstrated that upon one ground
or the other there Is deep-seated in the minds
OF the business men of this country desire
TO observe day of rest For one, do not
hesitate to say that consider the Sabbath a
divine institution, and that a disregard of
the day is a violation of Gods command
aud that the mere factof operating railway
for public necessity is no excuse for the dis
honor done to the precept of our Maker
While have no desire or intention to
force my particular religious views upon any
corporation or its employees in this Christian
country, under the laws drawn largely from
the inspiration of Christian training and
command, / do not think that Christian rail-
way managers can ignore divine teaching on
the subject. Every State in the Union has
laws requiring the observance of the Sab
bath. Such laws are hoary with age and
honored by the experience of the wisest and
best of our race.
Taken. then, in religious or municipal
light, there can be no discussion of the sub
ject The laws of God and the laws of man
are conclusive on this point, forbidding labor
on the Sabbath day; and every railway man
ager operating road on that day violates
human and divine command, and by fore
ing his emloyes to do the same sets before
them continual example and practice of
the disregard of the highest obligations
There is nothing in the business of rail-
ways which in the nature of the case makes
them an exception to these laws or lifts them
above these considerations. They are not a
distinct or separate class. but incur the same
liabilities and duties as other corporations
and citizens.
1t cannot be denied that railroads have led
in this violation of the Sabbath The two
classes most prominent in it have been rail-
ways and saloons. The railways were the
pioneers, and the saloons only followed close
behind, clamorng for the same rights i'll dis
regard of the Sabbath.
It is not pleasant to thus associate the two,
but no observing man can fail to see the
truth of the charge.
The most general argument urged is that
of public demand; this however ought not
to prove conclusive. Railways only yield to
public demands insofar as interest compels
them. Trains are run, fares are charged
and regulations are made, not so much upon
public demand as upon the basis of corpor-
ate convenience and gain. A train that does
not pay is quickly abandoned. A rate that
is unremuuerative is Immediately changed;
and there is no rail way manager who would
consent to the operation of the principle that
railways are managed solely for public con-
venience and to meet public clamor While
railway managers try to accommodate tine
public in so far as is possible, yet at the same
time the main consideration is one of dollars
and cents.
But if railway managers were satisfied that
the running of Sunday trains lose money
and good will, they would be discontinued in
an hour in spite of public demand. Thus it
all comes back to the question of gain or loss;
and the question fairly put is, Ought rail-
ways to be operated on that day, in violation
of the religious convictions of their employees,
and in violation of State laws, for the small
profit involved theren?
As religious bias must more or less affect
particular views on this subject, many would
be disposed to put aside those considerations
and demand some more practical argument
on the question In the discussion of so
broad a subject points can only be stated.
First-Then, suggest that without a day
OF rest man can neither enjoy health nor
freedom The Sabbath is essential TO relig-
ion, and religion is essential to freedom, good
government and prosperity. History con-
tains no example of free, progressive and
successful people who did not recognize God
No thoughtful man can controvert the state
ment that religion is dependent upon the OBJ
- a - Ill q. q 1.
bath in this country, and with it the intlu-
ences of religion for period of fifty years,
and the face of our social moral and politi-
cal condition would be entirely changed.
The testimony of all railroad men in this
discussion has shown that day of relaxation
or rest is essential to the proper and faithful
discharge of the duties which devolve upon
railway employees and if this were not so,
human experience fully establishes this prin-
ciple
Second-Whatever may be the religious
views of men, it has been universally conce-
died that religion makes man better quail
fed for the discharge of every duty, and that
in every sphere in which he acts the impulse
of Christian life is for good
If railways teach their employees to violate
the Sabbath. and also with it to violate the
laws OF the State, and thus dull the obliga-
lion they feel both to God and the State
they must necessarily have less respect for
the laws of the railroad itself, and less sense
OF duty to their employers. No man who
has any intimate connection with railways
fail to observe the lack of interest on
the part of the employees in the corporate
welfare and this is in large degree attrib-
utable to the indifference of the corporate
managers themselves to the rights privileges
and consclences of their employees. With
the eradication of religion goes all idea of
future punishment, and this renders men less
comfortable and less amenable to reason.
Religion is a safeguard for property as well
as liberty. One church is worth a dozen
policemen; and the social and moral power
of religion in the discharge of the duties de-
volving upon men is simply immeasurable
Third-The most defenseless property is
that of railways Stretched out along the
lines, reaching sometimes thousands of
miles it is simply imposslble TO defend il