The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-05-13
Saturday Half Holiday.

people Of Richmond what they ought TO
be-a contented, happy, and united people.
Saturday Half Holiday.
II seems to me that two changes could
be made in the general business customs
OF this city that would be very bene-
fetal TO the moral and physical we'll
being of our community.
First. The general adoption of half
holiday on Saturday by merchants manu-
facturers, railroads, banks. insurance
offices and all employers Of labor
Second. The payment OF wages on some
other day than Saturday.
BY the first l do not mean shortening
the working hours Of the week Cthat is
a matter outside Of this dscussion) but
a rearrangement Of them so that all work
will stop on Saturday at l or o'clock,
thus giving half-holiday for rest and
recreation that is sure TO benefit the
people both morally and physically.
The keen enjoyment OF the Irregular
public holidays we now have shows that
the people appreciate them, and It is
settled fact that communities need re-
creation and rest.
Suppose every man and woman that at
| present is working in a bank, office fac
tory or store should have every Satur-
day afternoon this summer for holiday
What an amount Of enjoyment would be
afforded them.
We are surrounded by beautiful coun-
try, full OF historic associations. have a
noble river admirably adapted for fishing
and boating, and have close at hand
hundred ways OF enjoying ourselves; only
the time wherewith 20 do IL IS lacking.
and / think this can be found without
any injustice to employers or hindering
business in any way.
Among the most pleasant recOllectons
of my early business life. spent in Great
Britain. are the Saturday half-holidays'
when. after q weeks close confinement
in an office. a whole afternoon was avail
able in summer for country excursions.
games, athletic sports fishing. boating.
and other amusements, and IN winter or
in bad weather. there were public build
ings libraries, art galleries, and such
places, to be seen and enjoyed.
A two years residence in New York
city, where the Saturday half-holiday
is an established institution, proved how
much rest and pleasure could be had in
an afternoon.
No community that has ever tried It
J could be Induced to give il up, and am
: sure that the great majority of the offices.
| stores. and factories in this city could
so arrange their work as to ensure Sat
| urday haif-hoiiday without any loss Of
| business whatever and a positive gain
1 10 the moral and physical natures OF
| those employed therein. and If any en-
| ployer doubts II let him tell his men
| they can leave on Saturday at l o'clock
| II the work is done. and see how soon
| they get through with it.
The railroad and steamboat companies
would soon find a demand for Saturday
| excursions that they would be glad TO
supply.
There are some establishments in Rich
mond that close early, and many more
would like 10 do 1t, as employers enjoy
a rest as well as employees, and many
complain that they have no time with
their families, business occupies them so
closely; but because a competitor keeps
| open they do likewise, whereas If the
closing was general all would fall into
line, as custom largely regulates matters
| of this kind.
Another reason for Saturday half-hol-
iday. which, however. might not have
weight with some people. is that IL would
! prevent Sabbath dissertations. I believe
a proper observance OF the Sabbath is at
the foundation OF all true private and
public prosperity. and anthingy that aids
this benefits the community.
Men and women who have worked late
In Offices, stores, and factories on Sat
urday night are not able TO enjoy the
rest OF the Sabbath as they should, and
men are not going hunting and fishing on
Sunday II they can get of on Saturday
afternoon.
Richmond has . well-deserved reputa-
ton for quiet Sundays. No better way
OF retaining that reputation can be found
than Saturday half-holidsy. ana Il we