New-York tribune., 1891-09-27
srvnlY AYD THE WoRLDs FAIR.

The question of keeping the Worlds Far
omen or closed on Sunday will have to be de-
cided before long. 1t is not trivial matter,
and whatever the determination may be 1t Is
sure to be severely criticised. The excellent
citizens who lately went to Chicago to lay their
views before the managers believe that their
arguments produced deep impression, and are
hopeful that they will prevail. The fact tnaO
they formed an organization and made long
journey for this special purpose would seem 70
indicate not only that their feelings are Fel!
strong but also that they were fearful OF q
contrary decision The fact that no concerted
action in favor of Sunday opening has been
taken at least suggests the suppostion that no
demonstration on that side is thought TO DC
necessary
Some of the considerations which have been
advanced appear to be Irrelevant The EXPOSE
ton has no excuse for being if it is not pop
uar enterprise 1t ought not to be undertaken
at all if it is to be conceived, created and ad-
ministered as if it belonged to one city or one
part Of the country or any class OF cltlzens
If it prove success it will be because the people
make it such. The Government of the people
has authorized and accredited it, and the people
through their representatives are to be asked to
advance considerable part of the cost. Inc
commissioners, therefore, ought to base their de-
cison of every disputed question OF manage
ment upon their deliberate Judgment Of the pub
lie will. And that consideration should control
them most particularly when they take action
on a point like this which must be assumed TO
interest a large proportion OF the populauon
They have no right to decide it according 10
the wishes of Chicago, or New-York, Boston or
San Francisco, the saloons, the churches or the
transportation companies. 1t is not their ousi-
ness either to defend or antagonize the so-called
Puritan Sunday in obedience to their own per-
sonal preferences. The commissioners are In
telligent men, and their estimate OF popular
sentiment is entitled TO respect If, after weigh
ing this matter carefully and impartially, they
decide TO close the Fair on Sunday millions OF
persons will be glad to believe that this decision
reflects the public will Such a decision, we
think, would satisfy very few if they knew it
had been rendered in Difference TO a strenuous
minority. If, on the other hand, the commits
sioners resolve to keep the Fair open on Sun
day. in obedience to deliberate conviction as to
the popular DESIRE we believe that millions OF
those whose personal preferences are disregarded
in that decision will nevertheless approve it.
In any case, there are sure TO be iTeconcilableS,
but their dependency need not make others
unhappy.
For the consideration Of those who are pre-
pared to predict that the Fair will be failure
if it is closed on Sunday venture to recall the
fact that the Centennial Exposition was highly
creditable success. Moreover, one of the chief
arguments against Sunday closing is weaker than
it was in 1876. Since then the Saturday half
holiday has come into existence and the mill
ions who live in and near Chicago will find little
or no difficulty, in the course of six months, in
getting all the pleasure and profit that the Fair
has to give them. To most visitors from
greater distance the deprivation would be still
less important, inasmuch as they will generally
arrange to spend several days in sightseeing.
For the consolation of those who are prepared
to mourn in case the Fair is kept open on Sun
day we do not hesitate to say that Chicago offers
almost unrvaled temptations every day in the
year to all who are wholly or half willing to 90
to the devil, and that vast alluring in
structive and intrinsically innocent means of
diversion would tend to keep a multitude of
Satan's possible victims out Of his clutches.