The record-union., 1893-05-17
Running.
Special to the REcoRD-UN1oS.


CHICAGO, May 16.-The attendance at
the Worlds Fair to-day was not nearly
as large as yesterday. The weather was
anything but pleasant. A raw, sharp
wind was blowing from the northeast,
for the greater part of the day the sky be-
ing overcast. Foreigners from warm
countries suffered from the cold, and sat
around stoves shivering and looking dis
consulate.
Both legislative bodies of the fair-the
National Commission and Local Direct
ory-are laboring diligently with the
Sunday opening question. The directory
has adopted resolution revoking the
Sunday closing rule, and at meeting of
the commission tomorrow it is probable
the resolution will be brought up for con-
currence What action will be taken is
probiematical, as the commission is di-
vided on the subject. Sabbatarians in
various parts of the country are tele-
graphing in all directions vigorous pro-
tests against the proposed opening, some
of them widely demanding the aid of
Federal troops to stop the desecration of
the sabbath.
The State of Illinois is likely to take
hand in the legal battle which may be
waged. Senator Solomon of Cook has
prepared a resolution, to be introduced in
the State Senate at Springfield to-mor-
row, setting forth the facts in the case,
the wishes of the great majority of the
working people who desire to see the
fair and be instructed thereby, and who
can only go on Sundays. the fact that the
closing of the gates on Sunday has the
effect of diverting large mass of people
to other resorts of less elevating and fire.
quently of disreputable character; that
100000 people of the working classes re-
Gently made a futile attempt on Sunday
to gain entrance to the fair; that their ex
clusion amounts to virtual denial of the
privileges of visiting the Worlds Fair,
and thus works hardship to the work
ing classes, and instructing the Attor-
ney-General to commence any proceed
ings or intervene in any suits commenced
or to be commenced having for their pur-
pose the opening of the fair on Sunday,
and use every legal means at his COM
mand to the end that the fair may be
opened to the people on Sunday.
At meeting of the Local Directory this
evening a resolution to open the fair on
Sundays and return the loan advanced
by the Government was adopted by a
vote of "a to 2. First an informal vote
was taken on the resolution to open the
fair without saying anything about re-
funding the Government loan. This was
carried by a vote of 81 to 6.
When the roll was called on the reso-
luton of opening the fair and refunding
the loan there were but two dissenting
votes. The proposition to make the ad-
mission fee on Sunday % instead of so
cents was voted down. The resolution
provides for opening the building, with
the machinery not running; with re-
ligious services on the grounds and sacred
music in the choral halls. The matter
will be referred to the National Commits
sion tomorrow, and the belief is ex-
pressed among the directors to-day that
the National Commission would concur
in the action.
GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS TO CLOSE.
WASHINGTON, May 16.-Attorney- Gen
eral Olney has rendered an opinion in
which he holds that the laws of Congress
providing for the Worlds Fair prohibit
the opening of the branch Postoffice To-
Gated in the Postoffice Department exhi-
bition on Sundays. In accordance with
this opinion the Postoffice and other
Government exhibits will probably be
closed on Sundays.