New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-06-13
REcPEdT1oY FOR THOSE WHO NEED IT

RECRE1TION FOR THOSE WHO NEED H.
We feel SIRE that the great majority OF our
readers are heartily in sympathy with inc
Saturday half-holday movement. III Is 50
thoroughly wholesome and admirable, it has so
upcb 70 commend it, that 1t will go on conquer
inc and TO conquer But Its success must
depend entirely upon the great Dody Oh the
neople outside of the shops and exchanges
the mills and the banks. II men anu women
generally will make up their minds 10 no no
business and no buying on Saturday afternoons
during the summer months, every employer
will gladly close his doors and give the wage
earners the hours of recreation and rest when
they need If the people in the city VIII give
ND shopping on Saturday afternoons during the
heated term, If purchasers from the country
will make their trips TO town on some other
day if our men of affairs will close up their
transactions for the week on Saturday morning
then there will be no employers who VIII not DC
eager to Join in this humane and excellent
movement, which will add so largely to the
general sum of health and happiness.
So long as manufactures and offices, stores
and exchanges remain open for business during
every afternoon in the week, the opportunities
for recreation and enjoyment afforded the men
and women, the boys and the girls, who stand
behind counters or bend over desks, who watch
over looms or work in metals, must be scanty
and meagre. What chance have they Tor
indulging in the innocent and laudable sports
and games of the day What time for baseball
or rowing for lawn tennis or croquet, for seeing
or taking part in athletic exercises If they
can have n Saturday afternoon of bracing and
tyil ho ar IN mr.
likely TO go to the churches on Sunday and be
in a far better frame of mind to listen to g0dly
counsel from the pulpit. Our clcrgymen anu
our church members will find no surer and
safer way of relieving our Ncw-lork sundays
from the reproach Of excessive frlvoIity, OF
Objectionable diversions. of dissipation and vice,
than the encouragement and extension of the
plan for n Saturday halfholiday. Clcrgymen
should call upon their congregations TO do all
in their power TO assist a movement which will
accomplish so much good aud to which no
faint of evil or wrong adheres. The members
of the churches and all people everywhere who
sympathize with efforts to make their fellow
beings healthier and happier should unite to
support the movement by giving up shopping
and trade on Saturday afternoons in summer.
When once the plan has become completely
successful in this city-and it is daily making
the most encouraging and extensive progress
it's beneficial influences will swiftly spread all
over the country. Philadelphia and Boston,
Chicago and st. Louis, Cincinnati and Balti-
more. will hasten to follow the example of the
metropolis. And when this benelcent plan
becomes general, the relations between en-
pioyers and employed will be far more friendly
and cordial than they are at present. We shall
have fewer strikes and much less friction, and
the millions of wage-earners in the United
States will be more contented, more comfort
able and more heathfnl. This will be better
country to live in and will contain millions of
better citizens.