Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1893-01-08
TaE sUNDAY NEWSPAPER.

TIE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER.
Since the Pennsylvania Supreme
Court has decided that under the act of
1894 il is unlawful to sell newspaper
on Sunday, and at the same time has
intlmated its unbelIef in the wisdom of
such a restriction. the Legislature will
probably lose no time in acting upon the
hint II would be unwise not to do so.
''Nothing," says the Philadelphia
Record, brings civil government so
much into disrepute or so weakens pub
lie regard for il as to keep laws on the
statute book which it is impossible or
impractlcable TO enforce.
The part Of the Act of 1894 which is
applicable to present conditions has its
sanction entirely from popular consent.
Sunday is observed, not from fear OF
legal pains and penalties, but out Of re-
spect for the sanctity of the day and the
belief that rest from work for one day
in seven is Of physical as we'll as Of
moral benefit. Those provisions Of the
law that are habitually violated, by
carrying the mails, running steam and
street cars, sending telephone and tele-
graphic messages, publishing and sell
ing Sunday newspapers, and other like
Sunday vocations, have been outgrown
and set aside by customs which have
superseded and overruled the old blue
law. The Record says:
The Legislature should take note Of the
necessary changes in the Sunday law TO
make it comDort with the Sunday Of this
advanced generation, and amend 1t &C
cOrdingly. There is the highest sanction
for such legislation. The Master legislated
the same way when He healed the sick and
plucked corn for His hungry followers on
the Sabbath, giving men to understand
that the rigidity Of the law must yield itself
TO human occasions and necessities.
What member Of the Legislature will in
trOduce a bill TO so amend the act OF 1874
that il shall take cognizance OF the progress
that has been accomplished in the past 80
years. As the law now stands 1t is only an
instrument in the hands Of fanatics or
fools, who pay the 1.-THE Of mint, anise and
cummin and omit the weightier matters OF
the law-iudgment, mercy and 1alth.
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
There are numerous proposed amend
ments to the national constitution which
are now attracting Considerable atten-
ton, all Of them relating to details of
organism and none to the powers and
functions Of he government.
One is to extend the Presidential term
to six years, making it the same as the
term Of Senator. Another is to make
the President ineligible, either for any
second term or for two consecutive
terms. Another is to do away with the
electors OF President and Vice President
and provide better mode Of choosing
these officers, and Of determining the
Result of an election also, but without
changing the relative electoral power of
the several States.
One OF the amendments affecting the
legislative branch provides for the cleo
tion OF United States Senators by popu-
lar vote Another provides that the
House Of Representatives shall be
elected every third year instead of
every second year. A third provides
that the annual session Of Congress
shall begin in January instead of De-
cember.
The first Of these, judging from re-
cent events, is desired by fully two
thirds Of the people. The second seems
to be intended as companion to the
proposition to extend the Presidential
term to six years. The idea is, appar-
entity TO have two congresses during
each Presidential term, as at present.
The third is to correct that serious
fault which gives us one session Of each
congress after its successor has been
elected, and frequently, as in the case
OF the last Congress, after the people
have distinctly and emphatically de-
manded a change Of legislative policy.
This cannot be corrected too soon.
THE HoN. JOHN LAWRENCE SULLI-
VANS splendid and elegant person will
grace Wheeling shortly. We trust Mr..
SULLIVAN will kindly overlook any
little pleasantries we have INDUCED in
regarding him in the past. We know
now that we have been mlslead by his
designing enemies. We frankly apollo
gize. Mr.. SULLIvAN's grace Of manner,
his suave and courtly address, his
broad and keen intellect and his eleva-
tion Of soul entitle him to honor, re-
spect and love and TO seat in the
United States Senate.
GLADsTONE's HONE RULE BILL.
1t is more than likely that the Irish
members Of parliament will reject Mr..
GLADsroNE's home rule bill if the syn
opsis OF the measure that has reached
this side is anything like correct. Ac-
cording to it the bill provides that the
Irish parliament shall have no author
ity TO restrict the powers OF dignity Of
the British crown nor the lines of sue
cesslon. 1t shall not legisate on sub