Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1895-07-19
EARLY CLOSING OF PLACES
OF BUSINESS.

In many cities and towns, both
North and South, the idea OF
early closing has gained favor
among business men and has rap
idly developed into G permanent
"hot weather" movement. That
is, the business houses who for
merly kept open shop until late
at night, close as early as eight
o'clock.
There are obvious reasons why
this early closing movement
shouldbe an all-the-year arrange
mei1t. In the first place 1ner-
chants and others adhere to this
method because it is all old shop
worn custom. Now and again
it is a wise thing to drop Gus
tom. 1t would be especially SO
with this. Any custom that
does not tend to create a higher
civilization Or benefit somebody
had best be departed from. It is
we'll known that instead Of any
ones receiving benefit Or better
civilization as the result of late
business hours, the majority are
greatly retarded in physical,
mental, social and spiritual
growth. Physically, because Of
the continued strain Oh the mus
cles Of the body from long stand
ing, or irregular meals. Mcnt-
ally, because little or no oppor-
tunity is had for mental improve
1nent, either in study or other
ways. Socially, because more
often there is a disposition on
the part of young men-clerks
and others, to seek places Of ell
ioyment after business hours that
materially injure their social life
and character. Spiritually, i'll
that young men are SO often and
nearly altogether debarred the
privileges Of church attendance
lectures, &c., that the young
man needs. And instead of the
Sabbath being spent as God III,
tended, there must be all effort
made to rest so as to be ready for
next weeks duties.
There is a greater evil that has
to be contended with by those
who work at night. The saloon
is so much more easy Of access
when the shades of night subvert
the gaze Of friends aud acquaint-
ances.
But who is responsible fo1
these evils? The merchant or
other business man thinks, as
others have thought, that if lle
does not cater to the wishes Of
customers, others will do it. The
customer, then, is to blame.
Those people who contend will,
the laboring man is not entitled
to short work days, are the very
ones that help to keep the yoke
on the necks of overworkeG
clerks i'll stores. They put of
attending to certain matters un>
til at night, and the merchant
will keep open to wait for this
trade.
If anyone wants to solve the
problem, "HoW to reach the
masses" let them begin by free
ing the night workers, so that
they may have all opportunity OF
being reached. We agree with a
contemporary that says the few
dollars picked up at night are
at the expense of the health and
lite of the clerks.
This custom does not rccessa-
rily apply to young men alto
gether. There are almost as
many heads of families who are
in a like condition. The duties
Of home and the attention sc
important to the fa1nily's vel
fare haye to be neglected. The
same contemporary further says
this state of things causes murs
der by slow degrees.
In one of our largest cities III
this State a certain church con-
ceived the idea of petit;oning the
business houses t. keep open not
later than ten o'clock on Satur,
day night. All places of bust.
ness, with the exception Of the
saloons, agreed to close at half
past ten. The result was a bet.
fer church attendance hopDia,