New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-05-25
4 RARE OPPORTUNITY.

Oro ~ tho talcSmcn examined yesterday Wlth
rcfcrcnce TO his fitness TO try Inspector McLaush-
lin was q citizen bearing the respectable name
~ Edward Ennis Mr.. Ennis answered the ques-
t,ons r,t TO him in a frank and straightforward
manner. indicating the possession OF qlaiites
which are excellent I'm themselves and often COM
hincd with others in the formation OF an ad-
,o;roh,o character. Mr. Ennis sells ardent splr-
its and presumably also soft stun at retail on
vintb.ave and Is therefore engaged in lawful
pursuit. 1t Is not surprising that ne unhesita'-
ingly disclosed this fact. OF which there was no
antecedent reason for supposing tllat ne was III
thc least ashamed But the next question asked
by Mr.. Daniel G.. Rollins Of counsel for the peo-
ple would probably have elected an evaslve an
swer from many New-York liquordealers In cir
cumstances similar to those surrounding MIR. En-
mis- Keep open on Sunday?' inquired Mr. Kol-
Inns. "Got to do It; no money In the place II
didn't" responded Mr.. Ennis. And how long
has This been going ony' Twenty years" A
concise and Illuminating dialogue. Mr. Ennis
was excused from jury duty in the case Of In
spcctor Mclaughlin.
We cordially commend the candor OF Mr. Ennis.
II saved time which is exceedingly valuable. as
the bills for the recent mstrlal abundanly prove;
II kept out Of the jurybox n citizen whose pres
cncc there Is not absolutely Indispensable to the
cause Of justice. and it enabled Mr.. Ennis to
resume without delay the dispensation of various
nonular fluids on Ninth-ave, in cheerful expecta-
ton of move than offsetting his weekday losses
by the gains Of Sunday. Nor have we any doubt
that Mr. Ennis left tho precincts of the court
exharatcd by the consciousness that he had
acquitted himself WELL having given entirely
natural. suitable and satisfactory answers 10
questions which might have embarrassed TOOL
ish and tlmorous person In his situation IL
shonld be observed that Mr.. Ennis did not init
mate that he took pleasure in the mere act or vlo
lating the law by keeping his establishment open
on Sunday but rather conveyed the impression
that he would prefer to obey the law except for
the necessity of making his business profitable.
Got to do IT," Is the way he explained the mat
Ter. Not having access TO Mr., Ennis's books. we
are unable to state how large loss he has to re-
coup on Sundays: but Nnth-ave. being thor
ouehfare well adapted 10 the exercise of his voca
ton. It may be reasonable to assume that the
amount Is not excessively dscouragng. IT such
IS the case then the question arises whether Mr..
Ennis by greater diligence and more careful at
tention 10 the tastes OF his constituency might
the statute.
This Is a point which IT might be proper for the
public authorities TO investigate or course they
should proceed cautiously and with constant Re-
CARL TO Mr. Ennls's private interests An abrupt
and unmannerly intrusion upon his privacy. or
even upon his publicity. would be intolerable;
but II he were approached In proper spirit he
might consent TO look into his affairs little more
closely that he has hitherto done during the
las, twenty years. with reference to the prac-
,icabllity OF doing business only six days IN the
week. And II perchance he were led 10 think
such course feasible and should conclude to
make the experiment, others might follow his
example and great reform be started without
any further demand upon the time and attention
Of the Legislature, the Excise Board or the Police
Department