The Washington times., 1894-07-16
WOULD BENEFIT The PEOPLE
Opening Museums on Sundays Looked
Upon With Much Favor.
ADVANTAGES TO BE DERIVED
Citizens Claim the Public Museums in the
District are a Means Of Education, Q
Source of Recreation. and Would Be
Highly Beneficial to the Populace.

The subject of opening the public museum
and buildings to visitors on Sunday has beeI
agitated for considerable time. Every effor
has been put forth to induce the government
to throw open the doors on that day, so tha
the large floating population might have thu
privilege OF going through the buildings
Men in every walk Of life. from the clergyman
to the artisan, have earnestly pleaded for ,
reform in this direction. There is, however
strong opposition to the proposition
among some of the ultra-religious people
They believe that the opening of public
buildings will be desecration of the Sab
bath, and they oppose the movement with al
the force at their command.
The TIMES has taken lead In this move
ment, and from time to time has published a
series of interviews and to-day supplements
those already printed with others from lead
ing citizens in the district
PRoF. LESTER +. WARD. of the Smithsonian
Institution, No. 1464 Rhode Island avenue.
said: ''Yes; am decidedly in favor of the
proposition. / believe the Smithsonian In
stitution. the museums, public libraries, and
similar places should be opened to the public
on Sunday"
W. H. BURR, 1O17 K street northwest:
II am in favor OF opening the Smithsonian
Institution, the museum, and other sucn pub
lie departments on Sunday as means OF dif-
fusing and promoting intelligence among the
masses. believe it would be highly benefi-
ciai to a great many people.
Z. b. FAIRcHILD, No. 321 D street south
east: Il believe it would be good thing, and
if you want my reasons for approving it just
say that / heartily indorse the views ex-
oal l,-n ,,,h hic tha
subject which was published week or two
ago in The TINES.
". L. DEwART, No. 41S Massachusetts
avenue northwest: II think it would be one
of the best things that could happen to this
city. Those institutions are educational in
their character. and many people who should
have the benefit OF them cannot spare the
time TO visit them during the week. l am glad
to know that some OF the ministers of the
city are to unite in an effort to have them
opened"
C. F. MErcALF. No. 1851 Marion street
northwest: Il am certainly in favor of the
proposition. l know of no good reason why
people who cannot otherwise visit the depart
ments should not be permitted to have the
privilege on Sunday"
B. PIcKMAN MANN, No. 1918 Sunderland
place northwest Il am in favor OF keeping the
public buildings open on Sunday, because 10 do
so would give to persons constantly en-
ployed during the week an opportunity to visit
them, and would also tend to keep many
away from disreputable places"
NJ. PEAcHIS, Mount Pleasant: II indorse
the proposition to open the public buildings
in Washington to visitors on Sundays and
hope to see it adopted"
LEWIS H. STABLER. No. 1113 NJ street north
west: ''Yes, think it will be highly beneficial
to the laboring people to open the govern
ment institutions on Sunday. People derive
a great deal of information at the depart
ments, and none should be deprived of the
opportunity to visit them. Many cannot go
on week days"
P. A. AuER, No. 307 S street northeast:
Put me down as being in favor of opening
the public buildings on Sundays. l think it
would be a good thing, and heartily approve
OF the suggestion. 1t would be of benefit to
many"
[. J. DAEIS. No. 63i F street southwes,
earnestly Endorsed the movement now being
agitated to keep the public museums open on
Sunday.
NJ. FARoUHAR: Eyes, am in favor of open
ing the public museums to visitors on Sun
days.
NATHAN PARKINs, No. 946 New York
avenue: Il indorse the movement. Those
who cannot visit the departments on other
days, could so on Sunday, and it seems TO
me they have a right to do so. 1t affords a
means of education"