Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-04-30

ERs AS we said on the day after the
election, one Of the most striking effects
of the recent canvass is the develop
msnt of q strong temperance sentiment
in this city. II Is found not merely
smopg those who voted for prohibition,
but among those who voted against 1t,
and who are opposed TO any form OF
sumptusry legisl.tion. On all sides is
heard the determined public demand
that the laws requiring the closing of
the saloons on Sunday and forbid
ding the sale of intoxicants to minors
must be respected, and in response
to this widespread demand the au-
thorities will rigidly enforce these laws.
So far as The State is concerned it has
always condemned the notions OF those
who would have the Government make
Sunday the gloomiest day Of the week,
in which all innocent recreation, amuse-
ment. and refreshment should DO sternly
forbidden and the people ruled Is with
a rod of iron for we have the highest
of all authorities for knowing that the
Sabbath was made for man and not man
for the Sabbath. But on one question
of Sunday observance large majority
of the citizens Of Richmond agree as
they have never agreed before; it is
that the saloons should be closed on
Sunday. 1t is q well-known fact that,
save in the matter of selling on Sunday,
none of our citizens are more law
abiding than the liquor-deslers. Ex-
anime the records Of the courts, and,
barring only cases Of violation of the
Sunday law, they are rarely found
among the offenders. This being true,
we believe that they will not find it diff
cult to agree together that none of them
will continue to evade even one law of the
Commonwealth. Many ofthem have long
been in the habit Of closing their saloons
on that day, and these saloons have not
been ostensibly shut up. but so far as
the public is concerned they have been
Theoretically sealed. Many others, no
doubt, would have also closed their
doors on Sunday long ago but for the
reason that they have feared that those
who sold would win their weekday GUS
TONERS, whilst they have argued that it
was not wrong TO do what some of their
rivals we're doing, and they have been
tempted, moreover, to share in the
larger profits of business in which, on
one day of the week, competition has
been SO much diminished. 1t must be
readily seen, therefore, that it will not
be difficult for the liquor.dealers to
sgree together that they will close their
saloons on Sunday; they can easily CO.
operate together 10 attain this end. The
laws on this subject will be rigidly en-
forced, yet it is far better for the peace
and contentment of this community
that none should try to evade the law,
but that united action among the
liquor. dealers should make police
| interference unnecessary. We believe
that none will be reader to recognize
the strong temperance sentiment in this
city and to respect it; for it is found
among anti.prohibitionists as well as
prohibitionists. Anti -prohibitionists
ask of the liquor-dealers that they
strictly observe the laws concerning the
selling of intoxicants on Sunday and to
minors and if this be done it will be q
very difficult thing two years hence for
any man or men to muster sufficient
numbers or to arouse sufficient senti.
ment to plunge this city once more into
| the contentious of prohibition cam
paign.-Me State.
Admirably said. We heard a gen.
tleman say the other day, eff the
liquor dealers obey the Sunday law, l
shall be proud Of my vote against pro-
hibition. II not, not"