Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-07-13
QUAY RAISES A ROW.
The Senator's Fight for Sunday Clos
ing of the Worlds Fair
TURNS OUT TO BE A STIFF ONE.
More Democrats Than Republicans Are
Opposed to Closing.
THE PROSPECTS OF THE AMENDMENT
'URNS OUT TO BE A STIFF ONE.
THE PROSPECTS OF THE AMENDMENT
rrnox . STAFF CORRESPONDENT,

rrRoM STAFF CORRESPONDENT
WASHINGTON, July 1.-THE debate on
the amendment of Senator Quay to the pro-
posed appropriation of $4,000, 900 for the
Worlds Fair, providing that no part of the
appropriation shall be available unless the
Fair be closed on Sunday, has assumed pro-
portions which were not anticipated by any
body. An unusual audience appeared in
the galleries to listen to the discussion to-
day, and the interest manifested by Senators
BY their presence and attention was little
less than astonishing.
On both sides the speeches have been re-
markablv earnest. IT there be any parti-
sanship in the matter it may be said, though
there are exceptions on both sides, that the
Republicans favor closing and the Demo-
Gratis oppose it. The supporters of the
amendment base their arguments on purely
moral and religious grounds, while the op-
position earnestly deny the right of the
Government to interfere in the management
of gigantic show for the finances of which
Chicago is responsible to the extent of two
thirds of three-fourths of the entire amount,
and whose financial management, from be-
ginning to end, will depend almost entirely
upon the genius and energy of citizens of
Chicago.
Demagogy of Different Kinds.
When a similar amendment was before
the House, few weeks ago, the struggle
over it was prolonged and bitter. Many of
the speeches were plainly the ranting of
demagogues. The amendment was modified
to apply only to the exhibit of the Govern
ment, as it was concluded the Government
could not fairly claim the right to prescribe
,,,orol conditions tor tbo mo N ooamapf of tho
remainder of the exhibition. Whether the
Senate will take the same view is beyond
prediction. The speeches in that body are
on a much higher plane than the majority of
the speeches in the House, If they are
demagogic, it is the demagogy which has all
the appearance of honesty and sincerity.
They have been, almost without exception,
of far more than common interest and elo-
quence.
One of the most forcible and practical
arguments of the opponents of the amend
ment is that Sunday opening would not
only give opportunities to tens of thousands
to see the Fair, who would not otherwise
see it without loss of work and wages,
which would be a serious consideration to
them, but that it would keep the vast
crowd in the CITY at the exhibition instead
OF driving them into the saloons concert
gardens, pool rooms, race tracks, theaters
and baseball games, which are as much a
part of Chicago Sunday as a bull fight is
OF Sunday in Spain.
This is an argument which the supporters
of the amendment cannot answer, except
with the general and lofty assumption that
this is Christian nation, that the Lords
Day is one of its institutions, and that Con-
gress, in providing for its observance, does
not assume responsibility for the conduct of
the people who on that day, will seek other
forms of amusement if they cannot pass the |
day at church. |
A saloonkeeper Favors Closing.
In connection with this phase of the |
matter ex-Congressulan Lawler, who |
dropped down upon the Capital last even |
ing, tells me OF prominent saloonkeeper |
who wrote to the management protesting /
entire sympathy with the clergymen and |
others who urge Sunday closing, as it would
not only set high moral example for the
whole country, but would send hundreds of
money for liquor, while otherwise they
would violate Sunday by passing their time
in the exhibition.
Senator Quay said this afternoon that he
had no idea his amendment would raise such |
q storm as it had. He had been in favor of
Sunday closing from the first. When in
Pittsburg during the winter be was in
formed that delegation of clergymen de-
sired to see him. Owing to other engage
ments he was unable to meet them, but sent
word to them that it was unnecessary to DO
work with him, as be was
heartily in favor of closing the fair on Sum-
day. These clergymen had evidently passed
the word around, as he had since that time
been flooded with petitions for Sunday clos
ing from every part of the country.
Senator Quay says that the prospects are
good for the adoption of the amendment.
and that he is told bv members of the House
that if it comes again before that BODY it
will in all probability 90 through L.