The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-05-06
CITY PASSES SUNDAY LAWS.
THE DAVIS ORDINANCE ADOPTED
AFTER LIBERAL AMENDMENT.


for the Closing of All Business on
Sundays, Except the Sale of Medi-
cines-The Green GrOcers Made the
Entering Wedge I'm Amendments.
News Stands, Cigar Stands AMI
Soda Fountains Allowed TO Do Bus
iness.
Next to the election of health officer.
the most interesting matter before the
city council last night was the discussion
of the Sunday observance ordinance in
troduced at the last meeting by Alderman
Davis.
After much discussion, in which the sale
Of cigars, newspapers and soda water on
Sunday and the disposition Of aldermen
to indulge in these things was freely VEN
tilated, the ordinance was adopted, after
having been freely amended.
As introduced by Alderman Davis, the
ordinance permitted only drug stores to
remain open Sunday. and these only for
the sale Of drugs.
Alderman Charlton led the fight for the
adoption of the ordinance In this form,
but seemed to be alone in his position,
with the exception of Alderman Davis,
the author Of the ordinance.
An endorsement by all of the white
Protestant ministers of the city was read
at the request of Alderman Charlton.
A petition from the green grooers, pro-
testing against the ordinance as introduce
ed, was also received. Mr.. John Rendant
appeared in behalf of the petitioners. If
the green grocers were to be required to
close altogether, he said, the poorer
classes, who buy 5 and 10 cents worth of
meat at time, would go without meat
altogether. To cut these small orders on
Saturday would be OUT of question, as
they would not keep. If the green grocers
were allowed to keep open only for the de-
livery of goods, he said, the law would
operate unjustly on those who should OBJ
serve 1t. An amendment permitting the
sale and delivery of meat between the
hours of and 10 a. M, Sundays would
be sufficient for all purposes, he said.
Alderman Charlton said he was heartily
in favor of the suggestions of Mr.. Rem
dant, and introduced an amendment per-
hitting green grocers to sell and deliver
meat between and 10 a. m, on Sundays.
This amendment was adopted. The sale
or bread and milk was also included dur
ing the hours stated.
Alderman Guckenheimer inquired if the
ordinance would be construed to prevent
the sale of newspapers, the hiring of
hacks, riding on street cars and the sale
of cigars on Sunday. He asked the city
attorney for his opinion.
Mr.. Adams said he did not consider a
newspaper merchandise. Hiring of
hacks and riding on street cars would not
be prohibited he said. The sale of cigars
would be prohibited. The news stands
would be practically closed.
Alderman KrOuskoff inuuired ~ tba citv
statutes did not sufficiently provide for
Sunday observance.
City Attorney Adams replied that these
ordinances had been repealed through
misrepresentation by an ordinance to pro-
vide for the observance of the Lords day.
adopted Feb %, 1891, applying to saloons
Alderman Charlton urged the passage
of the ordinance. He was shocked, lie
said when he learned that there were no
such ordinances on the statute book IN
this community, he said, it was proper
that the sentiment of the community
should be regarded.
Alderman Wylly and Hull objected to
the ordinance on the ground that it inter-
fered with the sale of cigars and newspa-
pers, which Alderman Wylly said were as
much a necessity as quart of milk.
Alderman Charlton objected to legislat-
ing for strangers, who might happen to
be here on Sunday. We should legislate
that there was considerable opposition to
the ordinance.
Alderman Guckenheimer raised the
point whether clubs would be included in
the ordinance. Mr.. Adams replied that
IN ms opinion any sale of liquor on Sunday
was amenable to the law and he had so
stated in writing on more than one occa-
sion.
Alderman Krouskofe insisted on know
| ing whether the ordinance restricted the
sale of everything not needed on Sunday
He wanted especially to know whether the
| clubs would be included The alderman
called for yea and nay vote, for the pur-
| pose OF putting the members on record
Alderman Hull offered an amendment
providing that it should not be unlawful to
run news depots, sell cigars and tobacco or
run a soda water stand on the Lords day
on rising vote the amendment was adopt
| ed, Aldermen Charlton, Davis and Smith
| voting in the negative.
| Alderman Davis called for an ave and
| nay vote, saying he wanted to put the AL
| dermen on record. When the roll was call
| ed, however, all the aldermen voted for the
| ordinance as amended.