Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-09-03
THE SUNDAY QUESTION.

Worlds Fair National Commission-
Phoebe Couzins Successor Appointed
President Palmer on Expenses.-H Re-
view.
CHICAGO, Sept. 2-The National Colum-
hian Commission met In the City Council
chamber at noon. The first matter of busi-
ness which came before it was the reading
of q communication from the General Secre-
tary of the American Sabbath Union, asking
hearing for delegation from that body
on the subject of closing the Exposition on
Sunday.
Commissioner Mercer, OF Wyoming, moved
that the communication be laid on'the table.
This called Out several protests on the
ground of discourtesy to delegat ion of dis
tinguished men. Commissioner MERGERS mo-
tion was voted down.
Commissioner Massey, of Delaware, read
from the minutes of the last meeting reso-
luton passed by the commission disposing
of the same question. The resolution said,
in effect that as the commissions power
was limited to passing upon the work after
it had been laid out by the Local Directory,
1t could take no action in the matter OF the
opening or closing of the Exposition on
Sunday until the action of the directory on
that question should come before it for rati-
fication. Mr.. Massey, however, thought 1t
due to the General Sabbath Union to give
them hearing
Finally, on motion of Commissioner De
Young, amended by Commissioners Massey,
1t was voted to appoint committee OF
three to confer with the Sabbath Union
delegation and fix an hour during to-mor-
rows session at which the commission
would hear the memorial.
A communication from the Columbian
Sunday Closing Association was read, say
ing that in view of the action OF the COM
mission W0ni0 def0r
the presentation of its memorial until the
matter should come before it for final de-
cision.
The Arguments for Sunday Closing.
The memorial to be presented sets forth
that the proper observance of Sunday at the
Fair will ''honor the law of God, by whom
the Sabbath was made for man." that 1t will
be In harmony with the letter and spirit of
the laws of all the States and Territories;
that it will respect the conscientious con-
v1ctions OF all Christians, who, forming
large part of the sterling character of the
world, should have their feelings considered;
that it will be in line with the Sabbath OBJ
servance at the Philadelphia Exposition;
that it will follow the example set by the
Englfsh-speaking nations at the Paris Ex-
position of 1882 who with the official counte-
nance OF this Government, refused to un-
cover their displays on Sunday; that to open
the Exposition on Sunday would unjustly
compel the employees of the Fair and the
transportation companies to labor on that
day: that it would lead to excesses by the
vicious classes; that Saturday half holidays
ana the generosity of employers may be de-
pended on to give all employees opportuni-
ties to visit the Fair; that this Government
cannot afford to set such in example to the
nations of the world; that all foreigners
should be given an opportunity to see the
american Sunday" as it is usually observed;
and, finally, that the event which the Fair
celebrates was the result of the supreme in
spirarion of Christian man, who TOOK pos
session Of the new world in the name of the
bath. INV 40 "''o 'Ae -'''N - '''' -"
President Palmer's Review.
President Palmer. in his report. said
in mart. s.I congro t,,1o 70 the con,n,iss;on on
the wav a. hos done Ire wor,r No candid
nerson can iohk ove, ~, q ed,ngs.nd not
ba ,n,nras,a,, ,,;th tha ,ror,- oconn,Iishnd
mr. aaS,se." osos1 w as ' s". l.,:
Ing ieeponses Vi ioreigh governments
have been most satisfactory and presage OF
the greatest Exposition of its kind ever at
tempted Twenty Jyegislatures have made
o,,r,.o,,r;a +io,,, ga on e go, -, Ta,r;.o;o,
SpIp,a ,,n Ho oa.es anu r
a,,s,a az ~, space. ne oo ~
M R"sSs G VI snese clh nos lali snors oL SovO,
W. sd " nieager nppI9pttatlo,
-. iPplou . sne MotA, pue ~ Is nopeu bhh' at
i'1 Tns.s, 49, .ssl0o. sSsslo1 !. vii uo peGter,
~ Ioln @ essiinaIes prepared, luis eVloen6 that
t Su' uo%h, II the appropriation OF SoS oo Is 10
..e, ue suiiicIent sum rms questioh, gentiemen,
You viii pc asked 20 seriously consider: II
Eecommenu that tne commission gave the
9oestlon OF award careful consideration.
sa,, LOO Inucn t, care cannot pc exerclsed 70
secure tne nIgnest talent 20 MI tne posltlon
OF Judges. The cost OF Destowing awards
mas Deen estimated ut SIO000O, and am OF