Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-12-10
FOR SUNDAY OBSERVANCE
A Successful Meeting at Willard Hall Last
Evening
Held Mt the Call of the Churchman's
League-TO Urge Further
Legislation.

men, representing nearly all Oh the NdfloeS
denominations of the District. met last
evening at Willard Hall for the purpose of
considering a bill proposed by a committee
of the Churchman'S League of the diocese
of Washington for the better observance of
Sunday. Judge Andrew C. Bradley of the
District Supreme Court presided and the
proposed bill, after being amended in GER
tain particulars, was Endorsed and referred
to committee of seven, to be hereafter an
nounced by Judge Bradley, he to be its
chairman. the committee being Instructed
| to have it introduced in each house of Con-
gress and to urge its passage.
The meeting was called by the following
committee of the Churchman's League:
Rev. DIR. John H. Elliott, Rev. Gilbert F.
Williams, and Messrs Henry E. Pellew,
George A. Woodward, Charles King W. A.
Meloy: w A. Gordon and w. P. Young.
To the meeting the clergymen of the Dis
trfct of all denominations had been invited,
they being also invited to bring a member
of their respective congregations with them.
Rev. DR. John H Elliott called the meeting
to order, and upon his motion Judge Brad
ley was chosen its presiding officer Mr..
Job Barnard being selected as secretary.
Upon assuming the chair Judge Bradley
requested DR.. Elliott to read the call for
the meeting and also the report of the COM
mittee.
Text of the Bill.
The report showed that with perhaps the
exception Of laws against the selling of
liquor on Sunday and the opening of barber
shops on that day, there is no law against
the sale of merchandise, against labor or
the playing of games on Sunday. The bill
proposed by the committee was as follows:
1T Shall not be lawful for any person to
keep open any place of business nor main
tain a stand for the sale of any article or
articles Of profit during Sunday, excepting
apothecaries, for the dispensing of medi-
cines. and undertakers. for the purpose of
providing for the dead, or others for the
purposes of charity or necessity; nor shall
any public playing of foot ball or base ball
or any other kind of playing, sports, pas
times or diversions disturbing the peace
and quiet of the day be practiced by any
person or persons within the District of
Columbia on Sunday: and for any violation
or this act the person offending shall for
each offense be liable to fine of not less
than $ nor more than $50
1t was explained that the proposed bill
so FAR as 1t sought to regulate the sale of
merchandise on Sunday, would merely be
4 re-enactment of law In force here from
1857 until 1887 when, in the case of one
Standiford 1t was held to be invalid because
1t had not been signed by the then mayor
of the city. DR.. Elliott stated that the COM
mittee realized the great difficulty invari-
ably experienced in securing legislation for
the District. but they were convinced that
| the passage of the law proposed could be Sc
cured by a proper effort. Six reasons he
cited in support of the bill-first. it would
quiet and peace on Sunday; second 1t would
be the re-enactment of a law already ia
miliar to the people: third. it has the in
dorsement Of the clergy and of many of the
laymen of the District; fourth, 1t is brief
but comprehensive; fifth, 1t shuns the term
Lords day, using the word Sunday, a day
or rest mentioned in the Constitution of the
land and in those of twenty-eight of the
states of the Union and sixth it would pro-
note the general welfare.
Dr. Elliott moved the adoption of the re-
port as the sense Of the meeting and
of the bill As suggestion to Con-
sress that it be made the law here The re-
port being adopted, Rev. Walter H. Brooks
stated that he had read in The Star of the
meeting, and. while he favored the bill, he
thougnt 1t should be amended as to pun
ish those who labored on Sunday in the
erection of houses and in the construction of
railroads. He therefore moved an amend
ment covering the suggestions made Ly him.
DR.. Elliott favored the amendment, but
Rev. Dr. Samuel Domnr and Rev. DR.. Gil
bert F. Williams feared that amending the
bill too much would seriously endangcr Its
passage. DIR. Brooks, however, insisted up
on bis amendment, remarking that only in
Washington and Chicago did they build
houses on Sunday, and that every clergy
man In the District owed it to the laboring
classes to see that they rested on Sunday.
building on Sunday.
Some discussion followed as to the exact
wording of the amendments, and amend
With great frequency. Finally, the opinion
prevailed that the simpler the law the bet
ter chance it would have for passage and
enforcement, although Dr. Brooks amend
ment. as modified, was unanimously adopt
ed. Judge Y. G. kimball, Rev. DR.. Wallace
Radcliffe, DR.. Dorler and many others
speaking in favor of 1t. AS amended the
bill, IL 1t becomes a law. will make 1t unlaw-
full, in addition to the matters referred to in
it as reported by the committee, fo- any
fnD r-rrly
construction to be carried on upon the Sab
bath day.
Upon the motion OF Mr.. Charles Lyman,
the chairman of the meeting was directed
| to appoint a committee Of seven, who shall
| prepare a bill in conformity with the one
| Endorsed by the meeting, with authority to
| secure its Introduction in each house of
| Congress and to urge its passage. 1t was
| the sense of the meeting that while the
| Clergymen present gloried in the production
| of the bill they should form but small
minority on the committee
Rev. DIR. Mackay Smith moved that the
| committee frame additional section to
| the bill prohibiting corporations, by heavy
| fines, from compelling their employees to
| labor on Sunday in the ways already re-
| ferred to. The motion prevailed, and then,
| after Judge Bradley had stated that he
would announce The committee of seven
| later, he and the Churchman's League COM
| mittee were given a vote of thanks the
meeting adjourning subject to the call of
| the chairman.
| Among those present were Judge Andrew
| c. Bradley, Commissioner Truesdell. Rev
| DR.. Mackay Smith, Mr.. Job Barnard. Judge
| l. G. Kimball, Rev. DR.. Walter H. Brooks
| Rev. DR.. John H. Elliott, Mr.. Charles Ly-
man. Rev. Jos. T. Kelley. Mr.. o. B. Hallam
| DR.. w. P. Young, Rev. DR.. c. H. Baldwin,
| Mr. Charles Darlington, Bev. DIR. John G.
! Butler. Rev. DIR. Samuel Bonner, DR.. Daniel
| McFarlan, Mr.. Byron s. Adams. Rev. c. H.
| Butler, Rev. Howard w. Ennis, Rev. Dr.
| Wallace Radcliffe, Mr.. Albion K. Paris
| Rev. DIR. Chas. B. Ramsdeli and many
others.
REFORM SCHOOL OFFICERS.