The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-05-08
THE MORNING NEWS: SUNDAY, MAY lss2-sIXTEEN PAGES

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| especially OF Capt. d. G.. Purse, whose
earnest efforts in behalf of our city in this
! rs in all other public matters deserve the
| gratitude Of our people, together with the
| deep interest taken by Congressman Lester.
whose energetic and able direction OF the
matter has already been productive or
| splendid success towards the accomplish
ment OF the project, VIII, II is 10 ne nopeu,
| succeed in gaining for us an appropriation
| that will finish the Improvements in view
GENERAL REMARKS.
Before closing this report IL is at least
| proper If not the duty of the mayor that he
| should state for the information OF the citi-
| Zens his position and action with reference
| to the Sunday laws, the enforcement or
which created so much comment In the
| public press and otherwise.
1t is hardly necessary to go into details or
| TO endeavOr to explain the manner In
which or for what reason many of the city
ordinances and especially those providing
for the observance OF the Lords day, were
permitted TO be openly violated Tor some
time past
That barrooms were open and liquor sold
on Sundays was plainly evident, as
around such places could be seen on every
Whereabouts generally loud and boisterous,
and many among them in a drunken con-
dition, ripe for disorder and crime.
The persons that frequented these grog-
cries on Sunday were principally poor,
hard-working men, who had but little time
during the week days to loaf and loiter
around barrooms and seemed to reserve
Sunday for this purpose, many OF them
spending the entire Sabbath in and about
said places. drinking until intoxicated, and
returning to their homes in prime condi-
tlon for family quarrel, when otten iol-
lowed, as the Monday dockets OF the pollce
court will attest, such quarrels ending IN
many instances in serious beating and
cutting cases, il not murder.
And right here can be noted the fact, ana
that, too, with much qualification, that as
soon as barrooms were required TO De
closed on Sundays this class of offenses
diminished to such an extent as to attract
the attention of the officers of the court to
the change, and in a few weeks thereafter
charges OF wife-beating and family broils
were the exception on Mondays docket.
Putting aside any question of personal
benefit to the habituateS of these places
from the closing thereof, the enforcement
of the Sunday ordinances brought goou
order and decorum to many parts OF the
city which did not there obtain previous 10
the efforts made to enforce the ordinances,
and IL is a matter of satisfaction to observe
the comfort and peace that has since re-
suited to neighborhoods in which many
evils caused by intemperance ana
rowdyism formerly prevailed,
Now word as to the manner in when
the Sunday ordinances were enforced.
Immediately upon assuming once, tne
mayor directed the chief OF police to notify
every proprietor OF a barroom, shop, etc,
where liquor was sold, that the Sunday
law would be strictly enforced. Inasmuch
as salu prOprleIOrS naQ De6n peTMlJt6u lOI
some time to violate the law, or, to be more
charitable, it might be said that no effort
had been made for some time by the city
authorities to prevent them from so doing,
the mayor, though not required TO give
such notice, deemed it but fair to acquaint
said proprietors with his determination,
and at the same time TO request them to
comply with the full spirit OF the ordinances
governing the matter.
The notice to close places of business gen.
orally on Sunday was also sent to the pro-
prietOrS of all stores. etc, other than bar
rooms that came within the intent of the
city ordinances. There was no reason why
the mayor, in the discharge of his duty as
he understands it, could discriminate in
favor of others against the barrooms.
The notice sent, as stated, was, in many
Instances, diregarded, and saloon-keepers,
proprietoIs of stores, etc, were placed on
the Information docket and dealt with In
the police court as the ordinances directed.
prompt modification by council OF the
Sunday ordinance as 1t affected places OF
business other than barrOoms soon fol-
lowed, and the mayor continued to strictly
enforce the ordinances bearing ON the
subject as they stood after being amended.
With his efforts in this direction the citi-
zens are acquainted.
In the face ofthe enforcement of the law
several of the keepers of barrooms were re-
ported to the mayor as defying the efforts be-
ing made to that end, and the chief of police
was then instructed to use every means In
his power to obtain evidence against those
dence was secured, TO place the violators on
the docket. The means used by the police to
carry out the orders and the results are also
known almost in detail to the community,
The securing of evidence, such as to estab-
lish beyond question or doubt the guilt OF
the violators of the Sunday liquor law, was
attended by much difficulty, and the officers
within the power OF the law deserve com
mendation for their faithful and efficient
service in this respect.
1t is matter for careful thought, and at
least for the consideration of our citizens,
that the enforcement of the other ordinances
of the city, some of which had not been en-
forced strictly for years, and the enforce
citizens who violated said ordinances in
many Instances almost from practice, did
not cause hardly a word of comment, and
certainly did not create the criticism and
discussions brought about by the closing OF
barrooms on Sunday.
It has been said that the Sunday laws
have not, during the past year, been con-
strued as literally as they should be. The
ordinances Iof Savannah bearing upon the
Sabbath admit of but one construction;
their language Is so plain and forbids in
such explicit terms certain violations here
| tofore regarded by many persons as privi'
legeS, that it is almost impossible to under.
| stand how said ordinances could be con
| strued so as TO permit the executive of the
| city, under his oath of office, to allow that
which they strictly forbid and which they
call upon him to prevent.
If the ordinances are unjust and work un
| necessary hardship on any class of citizens
| and it is believed by those whose duty it is
| to protect the public interest and welfare OF
| the community, that they should be re
| pealed, then the remedy could be applied al
| once in that way, but as long as the ordi
| nances remain of force they should be en-
| forced and steadily enforced in their true
| intent and spirit as expressed in the Ian
| guage in which they are couched, especially
| so when the meaning of the same, as in the
| present Sabbath ordinance OF our city IL
| made so plain and, beyond question, cannot
| be otherwise than easily and Enthusiastically
| understood.
| The aldermen of the city have, at the ex
| pense of much of their time and even wher
| private business demanded their attention
| responded to the requirements of theil
| office and given to the city faithful and con
| tinued service.
| They have endeavored, in the discharge
| OF their duties, to carefully guard the pub
| lie interests, and that they have been sue
cessful in this the present financial and i'm
| proved condition of the city will attest
| Their labor for the public good deserves the
| appreciation of their fellow-citizens.
! The only change in the personnel of the
| board during 1891 was the resignation OF
| Hon. p. w. Meldrim, which was received
| with much regret and accepted only when
| continued efforts on the part OF the mem
| bers of council to secure its Withdrawal
| could not be acceded to on the part of Mr.
Meldrim. This gentleman possessed in the
| highest degree the confidence and esteem
| of the mayor and council and carried with
| him their kindest wishes for his welfare and
| continued prosperity.
| Hon. Walter &. Charlton was elected tc
I a NJ i'm