The morning times., 1897-01-11
SECULAR LEAGUES OPINION
Discussion Of the Action of Minis ers
Against Newsboys.

Discussion Of the Action of Minis 'ers
Against Newsboys.
The regular weekly meeting Of the,
Secular League, in Typographical Temple
drew large crowd yesterday Afternoon
Mr.. d. b. Gottwals rendered cornet
solo with piano accompanfment by Miss
Susie White. Rev. Allen Moon, who was
to have spoken. could not be present. Con-
sequently the resolutions on the prohibition
of the crying of Sunday newspapers. of
which consideration had been postponed to
this meeting, was take n-up.
President Peachin proposed as substi-
| tute for the resolutions under considera-
| ton, the following, wfich, after~sorae
| criticism, were unanimously adopted:
Whereas, some ministers OF this city,
| representing we believe, but a small part
| of their people, have procured from the
| Commissioners an order prohibiting news
| boys crying papers on Sunday, ..a., -
Resolved, That we consider such in
| terference with newsboys' as exceedingly
small business, of which all should
be ashamed.
THAT the pretense that such crying of
| newspapers disturbs Sunday quiet or rest.
| or religious peace of mind, is absurd, in
| view of the changing of church bells and the
noise OF street cars and vehicles OF all
kinds which are often far more disturbing,
| especially to the weak nerved or sick
THAT we recommend TO such as feel
| their prejudices disturbed by a poor news
| boys cry on Sunday. in his attempt TO
earn an honest living in meeting uni
versal demand for the Sunday paper. a
| small quantity of human sympathy. mixed
| with a little true charity, a portion of
common sense, and some respect for the
| equal rights of their fellows. and they will
| be speedily cured of their morbid and un-
| healthy state of mind. and will even find
| music in the newsboy's voice as well as In
| the ringing bells, or in the Salvation
| Army drum.
.'That we regard such pretext as an
| indication of the kind OF religious spirit
| that shows itself in meddlesome interfer-
ence, and seeks petty and tyrannical leg
islation to compel other people to do what
these zealots think best, and in other ways
would regulate the actions OF others in
! stead of their own; and we fear that il
is, to some extent, a manifestation, in a
contemplate way, of the fanaticism, in
justice, and wickedness which would
prescribe religious oaths and tests of
office; that now taxes people to support
a religion in which they do not believe
that would restore the puritanical Sabbath
stop the running of street cars and rail way
trains on Sunday; put God. Jesus. Christ
and the Bible in the Constitution, an(
make all citizens swear allegiance e
them, and which is making persistent
and unpatriotic efforts to overthrow thi.
American principle of separation Of church
and state. ..,,.,ff..I
THAT while we recognize that some
police regulation may be required on Sum
day, as well as other days, TO preyen
unnecessary disturbance by newsboys o.
others. of public assem- blies. or of citizens
in their homes, this can be accomplished
in better way than by such an orde
as the one in question. and we therefoF'
ask that it be rescinded."
DR.. Joseph Steiner then gave the meeting
his definition of God, swhioA-the audieRo.
greatly enjoyed and appreciated
Mr. J. L. McCreery read dan'orfgihafs Semi
humorous poem o n heaven, which elicitet
round after round of applause, and a
its conclusion he was thanked by the una nj
nous vote of the league
Dr. w. A. Croffut then spoke on the au
thenticity of Chrst'sa birth, life, ant
death, as related in the Bible. He wa
folio wed by Gen. Birney don' the sam,
subject. The subject for next Sunday
meeting will be ''Aggressiefls of the church
against the state" ~e-f-