Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1885-06-13
THE HALF-K0LrDAY MOVEMENT


The question of halfholidays on Satur-
days, from June to September Or October,
has been agitating the Chamber of Com
merce and other business associations IN
New York. There is very strong senti-
ment in favor of ceasing business at / P.
NJ. Saturday-at least during the summer
season-and it is certainly a worthy and
defensible sentiment. By a majority vote
the Chamber has resolved in favor Of the
early-closing hours for the summer sea-
son-that is from Il noon Saturday. The
debate developed some very strange ideas,
however. For instance here is minority
fayoring the movement and protesting
against the continuation of business on
Saturday evening only because the present
custom violates the Sabbath of that class.
But if this argument were worthy OF any
consideration in a secular question, 1t
would be strong one for conducting busi-
ness on Sunday, day the majority observe
by law, religion and custom, and thus we
would have two Sabbaths III week. 1t
is obvious that the issue as to what is : the
holy day" cannot be passed upon in this
debate at all. 1t occupies a wholly differ
ent ground-that of the social and physi-
cal benefit to result from rest and recrea-
ton Men must choose what day they
will keep holy, irrespective of the question
of holiday In England the plan of the
Saturday half-holiday in summer has
been tried, and with great success. But it
would not have changed the position of
the friends of the scheme except as to the
question of convenience, had the movement
been for half-holiday on Wednesdays One
member of the New York Chamber of
Commerce advanced the strangeSt argu-
ment-originaI and his own-yet heard
against the new movement. He discovered
that the commandment reads, Six days
shalt thou labor" etc. Therefore, reasoned
this modern Solomon, we must labor SIX
days, and to cease is to violate the law.
The truth of it is that the laws of States
requiring Sunday to be observed in quie-
tude and by stIspensionof business are not
based upon religious beliefs at all. They
are the result Of the conviction that men
are benefited, physically and mentally, by
a day of rest-and rest may be change or
cessation from the usual vocation. When
the museums and libraries of New York
are opened on Sunday, as they soon viii
be, the fact will be emphasized that it is
done to benefit those who visit them, and
not in any spirit of disrespect to those who
hold Sunday to be " holiday demanding
the absolute closing Of all institutions ex-
cept places of worship. The same state
ment viii apply to the half-holiday move
ment; it is not to accommodate those who
hold Saturday to be "holy," nor to afford
the employed half day Of recreation on
Saturday, that they may not have an ex-
cuse for violating Sunday in the eyes Of
walls it will be because the business men
and employers of New York believe the
movement will be Of mental and physical
benefit to the employed, and not to pro-
mote the observance Of the first day, or to
encourage desccration of the seventh day.
s-
AN Iowa Democrat just appointed TO post
mastership made a speech at a reception the
other day, in which he declared that he be-
leved in the doctrine 'to the victors belong the
spoils." He wanted all Republicans in Office
"iired ont to the last man and woman, and
their places filed by Democrats. He took oc-
casion to 'burn up" Republicans, and indulge
in a heated party speech. If the rule of "offen-
sive craftsmanship established by President
Cleveland has any value at all, this man must
be removed from his new station. But he will
not be. offensive partisanship means in the
DemOcatic sense stalwart and vigorous Rcpubli-
caniSm. That is apparently the length and
breadth and depth of it,
WHEN the newly appointed Minister to China
said-as he did in a speech in Indiana the other
day-that ii should be his aim to do " nothing
Government he is to be accredited, he should
have said something more. He should have
added that he would do all he could for the
good of the people he represents. 1t may be
assumed that he viii do so; but how much bet
ter it would have been 10 have coupled such an
expression with the utterance he did make. His
failure to do so is being criticised suspicious,
and justly so,
THE Carson appeal thinks it astounding that
after such a long and brilliant career of mast
erly craftsmanship Gladstone should have
stumbled over a beer key" But, suppose the
stumbling to have been purposeful? Suppose
the wise old man knew precisely what would
happen, and invited the catastrophe in order to
avoid a greater, and force his opponents into Il
corner.
AS anticipated, Judge Foraker has been nomi-
mated by the Republicans of Ohio for the posi-
ton of Governor. He made gallant fight be-
fore against great odds and his popularity is
such as to quite assure his election this time.
We firmly believe he will be victorious. All the
signs indicate Republican triumph.
CONTEMPORARY EXPRESSION,
The best way TO secure downright horseshoe
luck is to keep your eyes open and grasp the
opportunity before it turns the eorner.-tChicago
Ledger.
THE pay should be commensurate with the
work and responsibility in all positions of trust.
Boston Herald.
ME. CLEVELAND is reported to be standing the
wear and tear very well. If this is true he has
a great advantage over the ofice-seekers.-[Cin-
cinnati Enquirer.