The Washington times., 1895-04-16

Observance of the Sabbath as a day ofrest
mems League, OF the District, proposes
to conduct a campaign before the next Con-
gress. Legislation is to be asked that VIII
cure the defects in the present laws, and
prohibit the opening of confect ioner-
les, bakeries. cigar stores, and fruit stands
on Sunday.
Provision is to be made, also, for the
discontinuance OF all similar secular occu-
pations on that day, exception being made
only of such business as is necessary
The only Sunday law in force in the Dis
trict, governing the sale of cigars, fruits,
bakers goods, and other merchandise
on the Sabbath. is an indefinite provision
of an act of the Maryland Assembly that
dates back to the year 1928.
SO says the attorney for the District
in an opinion filed yesterday with the
Commissioners. That law makes it un-
lawful to Tabor on the Lords Day, except
in cases Of charity, and imposes fine oftwo
hundred pounds of tobacco for each offeuse.
AN OLD CORPORATION LAW.
The latest law, Mr.. Thomas says, that
forbade the keeping open on Sunday OF any
place of business excepting apothecaries
for the dispensing OF medicines, and pre-
scribiug fine for violations, was an enact
ment by the corporation OF Washington
adopted in 1864. Upon test case being
presented, the Supreme Court held that
the ordinance was invalid because OF the
| absence OF the written approval OF the
mayor.
| The movement for the enforcement OF
| Sunday observance, it is sta ted, took
| definite shape several months before the
| expiration OF the last Congress. 1t was
expected then that legislation to cover the
running OF bakeries, the keeping open of
cigar stores and confectioneries and Other
similar establishments would be occurred
| at the last session, but for some reason
! the plans Were not carried out
| 1t is understood that the question OF
wages TO baker 1ourneymen enters Incl
/ dentally into the coming contest, but the
| principal effort will be to abolish their
Sunday work, along with other prohibi
tive measures.
In opposition to this it is urged by those
| who are not in favor of the movement that
Monday trade can only be supplied by
running the bakeries on Sunday, but this
| is offset by the statement that Sunday GUS
| toners use bread that is baked on Friday,
and that Mondays consumption can be
! provided for by baking on Saturday.
EXPOSED To TEMPTATION.
As it is now the bakers are for the most
part idle on Saturday at a time when the
saloons are running, and the agitators of
the Sunday movement contend that by
working on Saturday there can be rest
| on Sunday and avoidance Of temptation
Under the direction of the ChurChmen's
League, of which the Rev. Randolph h
| McKim is chairman, bill is to be pre-
pared with ample provisions against the
| desecration of the Sabbath, and a copy
is to be furnished to every Protestant and
Catholic clergyman in the District.
a meeting will then be called to consist
Of the minister and two laymeu from eact
church, and TO be held at time and place
to be mutually agreed upon, when means
forconducting the campaign will bediscussed
The Young Mems Christian Association
the WOman's Christian Temperance Union
the Christian EndeavOrers, the Epwortf
Leagues and other church societies ant
those in sympathy with them, are said to b,
interested, and will join hands with tht
| Churchman'S s League in the effort to secur
the desired legislation, and it is understood
| that organizations that are already ClOSeC
| bylaw on Sunday viii aid the movement.