St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-05-14
An Injunction to Prevent the
Closing Of Fair Gates Sum
day Wanted.
National Commissioners Agi-
tated by the Local Di-
rectors' Action.
minnesota State Building Will
Be Shut Tight on Sum
days.
Favorable Feeling to Sabbath
Opening in the Depart
ment Of Justice.

CHICAGO, May 13.-The first legal
steps in the worlds fair Sunday closing
questions were made this afternoon.
Charles W. Clingman, an attorney, who
represents that he is stockholder in
the Columbian exposition, personally
and by proxy, to the extent of S1OO,OO
filed bill in the superior court praying
for an injunction restraining the di
rectors of the exposition and the
South Park commissioners from
closing the gates of the fair
on Sunday. Clingman claims that
the ground upon which the exposi-
ton stands was giyen by the state to the
people for park purposes only, and that
the park commissioners had no right to
use it for any other purpose, or deprive
the public of the enjoyment of the park.
1t is also claimed that the national gov
ernment has no right to interfere in any
matter which is covered by the laws Of
Illinois. A hearing on the application
for an injunction is expected the early
part of next week.
Commissioners Stirred UP.
The national commissioners had
lively session today. The chief topic
for discussion was the action Of the
local directors regarding the opening of
the fair Sundays. The question came
up when Secretary Edmonds, of the
local directory, came in with message
from President HigginDotham, contain
ing report Of the action on the Sunday
question taken by the directors at a
meeting last night. Commissioner Bur
ton, of Kansas, moved to refer the
report to the committee on 5u-
dietary. A long wrangIe followed.
Commissioner st. Clair led the
opposition to this action, and, in Spir-
tied speech, talked of calling upon
President Cleveland, if necessary, to en-
force the mandate Of congress. He
held that the only way the gates could
be lawfully opened was for the national
commissioners and local directors each
to pass joint resolution repeating the
rule forbidding the opening of the fair
Sundays. After dozen or more COM
missioners had expressed their views,
the matter was referred to the commit
tee on judiciary.
State buildings will be kept open or
closed Oil Sunday as local boards may
decide, unless otherwise ordered by the
state board. Superintendent Hunt says
that the Minnesota state building will
be closed on Sundays.
Officials Non-CommittaI.
WASHINGTON, May 13. = Assistant
Secretary Curtis, of the treasury depart
ment, who has charge of the worlds
fair matters as far as they effect the
treasury department, said today that he
had no official information of the Dur
pose of the board of directors of the
worlds fair to open the grounds of the
fair on Sunday, May 81. Until the
subject came to him in an official man
ner he declined to express any opinion
as to what action. if any, the treasury
officials might feel called upon to take
in regard to the undelivered balance of
the souvenir coins. Inquiry at the de-
partment of justice as to the decision of
the board of direetnrs UpE1
tire worlds fair grounds On Sundays
develops feeling favorable to
it. 1t was pointed out that the law pro-
vides that the government exhibits
shall be closed on Sunday. Another re-
strlction is imposed in the appropria-
ton of the 50, 100000 for souvenir coins.
This provides that the exposition shall
be closed on the first day of the week.
Nowhere is it made compulsory to close
the grounds in which the exposition or
worlds fair is being held. Attorney
general Olney will not express an opin-
ion on the subject, as it will probably
come to him for judicial determination.
but prominent officials in the depart
ment of justice do not hesitate to ap.
prove the action already taken as being
within the law, but express the hope
that means may be found to throw open
the whole exposition on Sundays.
Active Opposition.
New YORK, May 13.-Rev. Wilbur F.
Crafts, the chairman of the national
committee on Sunday closing of the
worlds fair, recently organized at Co.
lumbus. was in New York today arrang-
ing by telegraph for an earnest resist
ance during the coming week to the
proposed Sunday opening of the worlds
fair on the 21st inst. The committee eX-
poets that the hundreds of mass meet
ings, by resolutions, and thousands of
individuals by letters will appeal to
President Cleveland and Attorney Gen
eral Olney to defend the law by injunc-
tion or otherwise in the courts. Mr..
Crafts has letter from President
: Palmer, of the Columbian commission,
Chicago, saying that he will defend the
law. He will be supported by resolu-
tons and letters. The committee eX-
pected to employ able counsel also. The
secretary of the committee, Rev. II. III.
George, of Beaver Falls. Pa, is sending
out an appeal TO the public.