The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-02-05
AGAINST SUNDAY WORK.
a Petition Advocating the Passage, OF
the Hind NIll,

The BLAND Sunday law BILL" recent
ly introduced III the Legislature, Is Az
tracing wide comment and the especial
attention of the Christian element OF
the p0ulatloil, who greatly desire It's
passage and are working like bees to
that end. The text of the bill Is as
follows:
BE 1t enacted by the General Assem-
bly, of Virginia that no railroad conf
pnny shall permit the loading or un-
loading of any freight car OH Sunday,
nor shall permit any car, train cf cars,
or locomotives, TO be run Oh Sunday on
any railroad, except such us may be
run for the purpose of transporting the
United States mails, either with or with
out passengers, and except such as shall
be run fer carrying passengers eXclu-
Sively, and the same restrictions shall
apply to steamboats,, provided that the
word Sunday, as II appears here shall
be construed to embrace only that por-
ton of the day between sunrise and
sunset, and that trains and steamboats,
In transit, having started on Sunday,
may. in order to reach the terminus or
shops, run until . o'clock u. m. OH Sun
day. but not later. nor for any other
purpose than to reach the terminus or
shops.
And any railroad or steamboat COM
pany violating this section shall be gull
" of misdemeanor in each county In
which such car, train of cars, locumo-
tlves, or steamboat shall run, ur in
which any such freight car or steam
boat shall be loaded or unloaded ana
upon conviction shall be fined not less
than $500 for each offense, the fine
when collected to be paid to the state
treasurer for the use of the public
schools.
~ And be it further enacted that all
be and are hereby repealed.
80. This act shall be in force from
its passage"
number of the earnest Christians of
this city got together Il few days ago
and formulated the Following petition
to the Legislature in regard to the
above:
Eve. the undersigned, protesting
Christians Of the cities OF Norfolk
Portsmouth, and Berkeley, Va. firmly
believe that the fourth commandment
Is one of the foundation stones upon
which the stability of our government
rests. believing that our permanency
and prosperity Is dependent under God ::
grace on our fidelity TO the trusts placed
in our hands, and cur obedience to the
commands given us; believing that the
cdict, Remember the Sabbath Day and
keel; it holy" is an cmanation Of God ;
that national degradation and ruin will
follow in our case as In all other; which
have preceded us in the worlds history
If we depart from the teaching OF our
common Christianity, do most earnest
~ commend the bill offered by Hon c.
u. Bland. now before your honoru bic
bodies. and ask its passage to preveia,
Sabbath dissertation"
This paper has been and is being very
extensively circulated throughout the
city. very large number OF names
have already been obtained for 1t, and
before the end of the week that numbe,
Is expected to be materially increased
1t Is desired by the gentlemen III
charge that those in sympathy with
the movement should clip the petition
from one of the dailics, attach It to n
blank sheet OF paper and circulate /,
among their friends for names. Thcs,
should be sent TO Rev. George p. Rut.
ledge In care Of the y NJ. c. A., by
Friday noon, Of this week.
One of the petitions Will be left at the
rooms OF the Y. Nj. c. y. for signatures
and those who are not otherwise an.
preached, are desired to step in there
and sign.