Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-11-20

praise from Sir Hubert is praise In
deed so that when the spokesmen OF the
Sabbath Reform Association declare that
Pittsburg now presents the spectacle of the
most quiet and orderly Sunday observance
to be found in the country, the compliment
should, we suppose, be taken as strong
one. But edited though the Association
has been by this comparison of Pittsburg
with other cities, it seems all are vet not
wholly satisfied, and that their EXTREMIST
desire for Sunday observance can only be
met by a revival and drastic application Of
what are commonly known as the Blue
Laws of 1874. Even these appear only to
approximate, and do not wholly reach their
ideal. The contention is that under these
laws the driving OF vehicles for hire, the
running of railroads, the work for news
papers, in iron mills and elsewhere-in
short, every form OF worldly employment
which does not come under the Association s
idea OF what is necessary or charitable-can
be absolutely stopped.
1t is certainly the privilege of those who
entertain these extreme views to educate
the community to them if they can, though
their success is not at all likely 10 be COM
mensurate with their zeal. But upon one
point the advocates of the revival of the
Blue Laws are at least to be commended
In place of inveighing with rancorous in
vective against the more numerous element
who Go not agree in their ultra position,
and who are in no wise liable to be governed
by their views, they seem TO have at last
made up their minds to make test cases
under these ancient and long ignored stat
utes. This is entirely in line with the ad-
vice which The DISPATCH has hitherto
offered when discussing the subject We
rather think the result Of ultimate Judicial
decisions will show that the laws OF 1894
may be taken to be considerably modified as
to their letter by the greatly changed con-
diuons since the date of their passage. The
telegraph, the railroad, the newspaper,
and the processes in some of our leading in
dustrieS are new factors, about whose neces-
sity the Courts may be quite apt to enter
tain different ideas from the extremist who
insists that all these are prohibited by the
Blue Laws.
However, the right way to go at the mat
ter is, as the association has decided, TO have
complete tests upon every form of employ
ment that the strictest Sabbatarians object
to. If they should be disappointed, and the
Statutes of '94 are found to be much less
sweeping aud inclusive than they now
think, they will have the privilege OF agi-
tating for the severest further amendments
they may desire. On the other hand, should
the public not relish the Supreme Court de-
cision, repeal of tine law or other modifca-
ton to meet public requirements can be in
sisted upon. A test OF everything that is al
legged to be governed by the laws should be
had; and it is to be hoped that when the As
soclation undertakes this it will not shrink
from making the test full and thorough
one. Enough interest promises to be taken
in the matter to secure that there will be no
omissions; and that the old laws, if revived
at all. Will be revived so that they shall have
full effect This will help the public to
early judgment of their expediency.