The Washington critic., 1890-01-28
SUNDAY LAW MAX ERS.
OUTSIDERS AT THE BOTTOM OF
THE AGITATION.

Another Stringent Measure Said to he
Concealed Behind the BreciSinridge
BilI-Mr Brectiurtdge Explains His
Position on the Question.
Agitation for the enactment of
Sunday law for the District of Colum
bia seems to have originated with out
siders, who are more anxious TO obtain
notoriety than to advance the cause
they profess to have so much at heart.
AT least such Is the construction placed
by members of the House District
Committee on the proposition submitted
10 them by W. +. Krafts Of New York
City and secretary Of the American
Sabbath Union. Representative Breck
ipridgc of Kentucky the 9th instant in-
troduced q bill in the House to prevent
persons from being forced to labor on
Sunday. aud this seems TO have stirred
up the Sunday law men all over the
country. At any rate, communications
have been pouring from all parts of the
United States urging that the utmost
care be exercised in examining the pro-
visions of the Breckinridgc bill, the al
legation being made that there is an
other bill concealed behind the meas
urc, which is also intended To- pave the
way for Senator Blair's Sunday Rest
bill
MIR. BREcKENRtDGE EXPLAINS.
80 far as / am concerned" )" said Mr..
Breckinridge to a representative of TIE
CRITIC, "the bill which ! introduced
was drafted by myself and has no con
nection whatever with any other meas
ure pending either in the House OF Sen
ate of the United States My idea is to
provide a general law " the District Of
Columbia. in which, am informed, no
Sunday law exists, and do not pro
pose to dictate TO any person how TO
worship. After q careful investigation
of the subject introduced in the House
the following bill;
That II shall be unlawful for any person
or corporation or employc Of any person or
corporation In the District OF Columbia to
perform any secular labor or business or
TO cause the same to be performed by any
person In their employment on Sunday, eX-
cept works of necessity or mercy nor shall
it be lawful for any person or corporation
10 receive pay for labor or services per
formed or rendered in violation of this act.
Any person or corporation, or employe
Of any person or corporation in the District
of Columbia, who shall violate the provis-
ions Of this act, shall, upon conviction
thereof, be punished by fine OF not more
than 500 for such offense: ProUided, how
eUer, That the provisions of this act shall
not be construed 10 apply to any person or
persons who conscientiously believe in aud
observe any other day of the week than
Sunday as day of rest.
This bill was promptly referred to
the District of Columbia Committee,
and subsequently 1t was transferred to
a sub committee, of which Mr. Delano
of New York is chairman, for investi-
cation and report. Nothing has been
done thus far by the committee, and
until a regular meeting day is arranged
il is doubtful if there will be an attempt
made at report on this subject
Meanwhile Mr.. Krafts has not been
idle, and he has submitted commune
cation to the committee, asking that
Thursday, the 30th instant, he set apart
for hearing of the question, aud that
the friends and opponents of the
bill be allowed an hour on each
side to debate its provisions
With a view to giving an impetu;
to the subject mass-meeting has been
called for this evening at the New
York Avenue Rink, but Messrs. Breck
inridge and Delano will not be present
as they are not in favor of discussing IL
public matters likely to come before
| them for legislation.