Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-12-30
TO PROTECT THEIR RIGHTS.
Judge Pryor's Decision Attacked az
being Unconstitutional.

New York TimesD
The action Of Justice Roger \. Pryor
in refusing to grant a certificate OF in
corporation to the Agudah Hakehiloth Of
New York. society composed Of about
$3.50 Jews. representing thirty-siX Jewish
congregations Of this city. MS the chief
subject discussed az the annual meet
ing OF Zion Lodge OF the Independent
Order Of Free Sons Of Israel al Odd-Fel-
lows Hall, Bowery and Second street.
Sunday evening. Among the visitors was
Maurice b. Blumenthal Grand Lodge
Representative. Referring to the Pryor
decision. Mr. Blumenthal said:
The refusal OF Judge Pryor Is an
arbitrary and unwarranted use Of power
which. if tolerated by the public and
upheld by the courts, means the establish
ment Of a principle alike dangerous 20
the Jewish creed and the sacred irsti-
buttons of our land. Jew and Christian
alike are affected by it, for il is the means
of declaring to the people OF this repub-
lie that here in the city of New York
the right of American citizens TO peace
ably and quietly assemble at any and
all times. 10 consider and discuss in or
derby manner whatever subjects they
choose has been abridged by the highest
trial court of the State. Judge Pryor
pretends that a meeting of the proposed
organization on Sunday would affrOnt
the religious susceptibilties of others
and would be an aggression upon the
Christian sabbath
THE objects Of the corporators are
TO promote the strict Observance and adj
herence to such customs. laws. usages.
and rites Of the orthodox Hebrew re-
ligiOn Of faith as are not repugnant 70
and inconsistent with the Constitution
and laws of the United states and the
laws Of the state OF New York. What Is
there in this declaration that indicates
the performance OF any acts which will
tend 10 'desccratc the Christian Sabbath
concerning which Judge Pryor is 30
alarmed? II IL true that the granting or
denial of the application lay in measure
within the sound discretion OF the Court
yet all presidents on such petitions point
TO the novelty and popularity Of the pre-
sent exercise Of that discretion for by
il the liberal fair, impartial interpreta-
ton OF the law 10 which this community
Is accustomed and entitled. is arrested
and supplantei by new system az once
dangerous and partial. and bordering
upon the fanatic heresies cherished by
Puritanical nypocrites alone.
MY friends. the time mas come for
action, and. 10 use the language Of Judge
Pryor himself employed some months
ago. We must realize that. while the QLs-
position Of the application lay i'm the
discretion Of the Court. the liberty OF the
citizen must not be made the football
Of judicial discretion The decision Of
Judge Pryor Is unwise as 10 is dangerous.
III conceived as IL is stuilfying. and
without precedent in the modern system
of Jurisprudence. as We hope it will
be without repetition. IN the history Of
the Supreme Court There must be ac-
ton, determined and bold"
The audience was very much aroused,
and a special meeting of the Executive
Committee Of the order viii be held du-
ring this week 10 take action in the mat
ter.