The herald., 1896-07-12
Some Practical Objections

Editor Herald: Some practical ob1ec-
tions that occur to a practical business
man regarding the proposed general
Sunday closing law are the following:
First. 1t Is only general so far as the
limits of this city are concerned. Just
outside the line. buying and selling can
go on as before. 1t is putting an embar-
60 one-seventh Of the year on the al
ready highly-taxed business people OF
this city. We are not in position here
now to put on more embargoes than we
have at present.
Second. 1t will come hardest on a
large class of small merchants, mainly
grocery and fruit dealers, who do quite
a little business the first day of the week
to their own profit and the convenience
of the people. 1t is not true that many
hired clerks lose their day Of rest at
present The majority of the dealers
who open on Sundays keep a store for
the support of the family, and all the
work is done by members of the family.
Pressed now to meet expenses 1t will be
a great hardship If the profitable SUM-
day trade is lost. Rents, licenses and
taxes go on every day in the week. The
city proposes, believe. no reduction in
taxes or licenses. or the landlords Of
rent for the Sunday rest day.
Third. The practical experience of the
city of San Bernardino two years ago
in a general closing act resulted in a
general revolt of the people. Business
was found to be greatly damaged by it.
An issue was made of the question in
municipal campaign, and the Sunday
closers, with every proposed city officer
who defended it, were beaten by the de-
cisive vote of six to one.
Fourth. The city of Los Angeles can
not afford to proclaim itself to the world
the most illiberal and puritanical city
on the American continent. Even in New
England and Pennsylvania no such
sweeping legislation has been put in
force. General Sunday closing laws
exist in many states of the union, but
no city has thought of such thing as
setting UP a law under which it will be a
misdemeanor for its business men to sell
cigar on Sunday. while all its business
rivals keep open doors.
Fifth. 1t is difficult, Notwithstanding
denials, not to see religious legislation
in this movement. Some dealers now
keep open from to - pm. every night.
Why not include them in this proposed
measure for the relief of the clerks ?
BY all means have settled hours each
day, when all the stores and shops shall
open and close. That would not be relig-
ious legislation.
Sixth. The proper title for this ordi-
nance should be, IAN ordinance to cause
further business depression in the city
of Los Angeles, and to aid such business
rivals as do not follow our municipal
foolishness." Unquestionably business
depression will follow this proposed stu
pidity More stores will be vacated and
building checked.
Seventh 1t Is doubtful act of public
morality to put the merchant who sells
a few cigars or a little fruit Sunday on
the same level with petty larceny thief.
So many days or so many dollars for
selling a package Of chewing gum or a
glass of soda to stranger passing
through.
Much more might be said on this sub
1ect, but this will do for the present. The
vast majority Of the people will vote
down any such proposition as soon as
they can get chance but that don't
prevent the mischief done meanwhile.
T, r, A.