The herald., 1895-08-13
WHAT WILL HE DO ABOUT FTP

Police Commissioner Roosevelt of New
York has started in to enforce the laws
in that city. He takes the position that
the laws were made to be enforced, and
if there are any laws on the statute books
that are not pleasing to, or that work
any hardships, or that infringe on the
liberty OF the people, then it is the duty
OF the people TO have such laws repealed
at once. In fact, be almost goes so far as
to say thai if there are any laws on the
statute books which are displeasing to
the people it serves them right for having
passed such.
Mr.. Roosevelt may b, right in this.
for it is quite past the understanding of
man as to how some of our laws ever
came to be enacted. However, the po-
lice comm ssioner has so far succeeded in
enforcing the Sunday laws in New York
as to lave made himself very unpopular,
and New York dry Sundays are a stand
ing joke IN every part of the country ex-
cept New York. where it is a serious m at
ter. Mr.. Roosevelt has entrenched him
self behind the statement that if the peo
pie don't like the laws they should wipe
them off the statute beoks. When he
the la VS. as he found them, the New Y York
World suggested that there might be som 9
laws vet in force which the energetic po-
lice com missioner would find very diff
cult in enforcing. Mr.. Roosevelt replied
that it made no difference to him what
the laws were, he should enforce them
even if the police force had to be en-
larged. The World then printed some of
the laws which it sarcastically asked Mr..
Roosevelt to enforce. After looking over
these laws one cannot but wonder III
what age we are living and where our
boasted American liberty is. Some of
these laws have been on the statute books
many years. while others are of quite re-
cent enactment. OF the laws which the
World asks Mr.. Roosevelt how he will en-.
force. the following are extracts:
mo person shall bring into the city of
New York or have in his, her or their
possession any oysters between the first
day of May and the first day of Septem-
ber in any year." The penalty is S. for
the first hundred and 81 for each addi-
tional hundred.
All labor on Sunday is prohibited ex-
ceptng works of necessity or charity.
All shooting, hunting, fishing playing.
horse racing. gaming vr other public
SPORTS exercises or shows, and all noise
disturbing the peace OF the day are pro-
hibited.
The one strikingly pleasant feature of
the Sabbath law is that all service of
legal process is prohibited, except in
criminal cases
The very latest addition to the Saba tn
laws forbids any barber to shave custo-
mers on Sunday. except in New York
and Saratoga. before l p. m.
,a ,,eTlo
punishable by u fine of not less than 50
and not more than $40 or by imprison.
ment in the county Jail not exceeding
five days, or both. But for second VI
other offense, where the party shall have
been previously convicted, it shall be
punishable by fine OF not less than $40
and not more than 500, and by imprison-
ment in the ounty Jail not less than five
nor more than twenty days.
All property exposed for sale in viola
tion of the Sabbath law is liable to con-
fiscation by the authorities.
Play actors and persons of allied occu-
pations are more severely treated than
any others. The performance on Sunday
of any tragedy, comedy, opera, ballet,
farce. negro minstrelsy, negro or other
dancing, wrestling. boxing with or with.
out gloves. sparring contest, trial of
strength or any circus. equestrian or dra-
matte performance or exercise, or any
bats or rope dancers is forbidden. Every
person IN any way concerned therein is
guilty OF misdemeanor In addition to
the usual punishment for such an
offense, he is subject to a penalty of $500.
An mblage in public houses or
other places of three or more persons dis
guised by having their faces painted,
dis1olored, colored or concealed is unlaw-
full. and every person thereat is guilty of
Q misdemeanor. This, however, Is not
intended to prevent the holuing of a
peaceful masquerade or fancy dress ball,
provided the permission of the police is
obtained.
The person who wins or loses $25 or
more at gambling within twenty -four
hours is liable to fine Of five times the
amount won or lost.
There is law prohibiting the littering
of the streets with rubbish OF any kind.
A violation of this is a mlsde meanor.
A church bell must not be rung or
tolled at IL funeral without ii permit.
The discharge of fireworks and fire.
crackers is not only prohibited in a gem
eral way, but the law makes mention of
the Fourth of July, Thanksgiving day
and Washington's birthday as occasions
when they may not be let off.
1t is wrong to fly a kite or keep dog
whose bark disturbs the peace.
The baker must bake his bread o." good,
wholesome flour and meal and sell iG by
weight" The penalty for not doing so
is $40.
To snap or flourish a whip while driv-