San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-09-16
THE SUNDAY LABOR QUESTION
How Its Status Differs i'm This Coun.
try and I'm Europe.

How Its Status Differs i'm This Coun-
try and In Europe.
From the Boston Commercial Bulletin.
The Supreme court of Virginia mas
declared uncons tItutional the state
law forbidding the running of freight
trains on Sunday, on the ground that
1t was an Interference with interstate
comm cree. As the United State Sup =
RENE Court has virtually taken the
same position, the efforts being made
to restrict Sunday work on RAILROADS
are practically futile In so far as they
rely on the law.
The increase in the running of Sun
day trains is in response to the de-
mands of the community for greater
facilities for transportation on that
day with q view to considerations both
of business and pleasure. In the mat
ter Of merchandise transit, fast freight
service making close connections is in
compatible with stalling the trains
on Sunday. That railway man should
have q day of rest in seven like the
major part of the community is no.
where disputed The best physical
and moral results depend upon 1t, but
1t is apparent that attempts to achieve
this end by compelling a cessation of
Sunday labor will be simply kicking
against the pricks.
In numerous other directions is seen
the tendency toward an enlargement
of Sunday labor. There is growing
demand for the opening of museums
and libraries on that day. Sunday
concerts are popular and summer re-
sorts are increasingly patroniZed on
rat n op Of q
things, while providing for the recre-
alton of the masses, entail additional
labor on individuals. Now, for the
reasons stated, it seems unreasonable
to hope to prohibit the running of
trains or various other operations on
Sunday, but it is entirely precticab lie,
so far as railroads or other corporation
are concerned either by force of law
or otherwise, to secure to every en-
ploye ono day of rest in the week.
In this connection it is intererest-
ing to consider the phase which the
Europe. The legislative bodies of
France, Germany and Hungary
have been considering the question.
1t was generally conceded that the
welfare of society required that one
day in seven should be set apart for
rest under the protection of law.
Considerations regarding religion
were dis tinctly subor binated to the
demands of labor; the measures be-
ing intended to secure day of rest
to the working people where in many
cases they have been obliged
to work right through the week.
In France the choice OF the partic-
10. do 80 h. + l. IT.. l..
is to be omitted was left to agree
ment between employer and employ
ed, the Chamber resenting anything
thai savored of church interference.
In Hungary Sunday was designated,
because it was deemed most conven-
lent for the great body of the people,
but the absence of any religious
motive for selecting the day was
clearly shown. This bill provides for
Sunday being observed as legal
day of rest, with the exception that
special anu necessary labor may be
carried on under authority from
responsible minister.
In Germany the Reichstag proceed
ed on virtually the same principle
With some necessary exceptions, la
Dor is prohibited on Sunday. Steps
have been taken to secure the uni
form restriction of Sunday railway
traffic through the various States of
the empire to the conveyance of pas
sengers only. Authority is given for
the extension of the prohibition of
work to occupations other than those
involving strictly manual labor.
Shops can remain open not in excess
of five hours.
Taken in connection with recent
factory legislation marked change
for the better is being wrought in the
condition of the European laborer.