New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-07-25
IN MORAL ONTARIO.
THE RECENT VICTORY FOR SUNDAY
HORSECARS IN TORONTO.

In the late Sunday car campaign in Toronto
one Of the cartoons represented sadly over
worked horse, supposed to be the property OF
S. II. Blake. of the most vigorous opponents
OF the Sunday streetcar. The wearied, broken
down animal made pathetic plea to the coach
man. Say, Mickey. couldn't you get in vote
for the Sunday cars and try to give US both
rest?"
The inconsistency of the anti-car people, who
hired cabs to convey them to their religious
duties Sundays, the delight Of the car
toonist and a strong point with the pro-car peo-
pie Among other statistics, they showed that
considerable sum was paid yearly out OF the
public funds for cabs in which Sunday school
teachers went to and from the Central Prison
They pointed out that cab drivers and livery
men have no protection regarding the number
OF hours in the day the number Of days in the
week they may be required to work or the scale
Of wages they shall receive. But the streetcar
company is not permitted to pay less than GER
tain per hour, and no man in its employ Is
allowed to work more than six days in the
week, more than ten hours in a day. Each
man must have one clear day of twenty-four
consecutive hours, out of every seven days, for
rest and recreation. The additional work of the
Sunday cars makes necessary the employment
Of additional men.
And now after years of discussion, culminat-
ing in the late vigorous campaign, after many
bitter partisan speeches for and against the in
novation sermons from nearly every pulpit, an
overwhelming number of letters to the press
only a few of which could possibly be printed
and personal work in many directions, Sunday
cars have been running in Toronto for several
weeks
ADVANTAGES TO THE COMPANY.
The advantage to the streetcar company was
Immediately apparent, for stock went up at
once The American tourist will hail the inno-
walton; for heretofore travellers who arrived IN
Toronto on Saturday night unaware of the Sun
day restrictions and with only one day to spare
for the inspection of the city. have been wont to
express their opinion of its Puritan spirit with
more force than pol.teness.
Sunday has never been very strictly Kept IN
the Province of Quebec. Hamilton, Ontario
virtuous and remarkably quiet little city, mas
had a Sunday streetcar service FOR years. Inc
question of Sunday cars is still agitating Kings
ton The rigid Sabbath observance in Toronto
is said TO be mainly due to predominatlng
Presbyterian element The common use OF the
bicycle in recent years has partially prepared
the Toronto people for the Sunday stree'car.
There are other restrictions against which
the people often protest. During the late not
wave a writer said: with the heat comes the
end of our Jubilee freedom. The curfew again
rings and all children under threescore and
ten are ordered out Of the parks by their legal
guardians In vain do they plead the heat and
keep off the grass bylaws that keep them out
of the park on week days and the anti-speaking
bylaws that make the park a terra lncognlta
on SUNDAYS The parks were established that
tho majesty of the law and summer heat should
he manifested unto the people, and to that END
the curfew rings out the old well as the new
as soon as the atmosphere grows fit for human
habitation."
OF late years Canada, in common WIN other
countries, has felt the growing influence OF the
temperance cause Years ago it was no unusuai
experience. especially on market days IN couh-
try towns to meet Keeling men or to see shout-
ing. brawling farmers driving recklessly nome
ward after spending their earnings al hotei
liars. Saloons. as separate establishments, were
mt known Nowadays q drunken man on the
street is an uncommon sight, and the temper
anc, sentiment has permeated all ranks. In
houses where in old times wine was offered on
every festive occasion, and took the place OK the
present afternoon tea; where well-hlled decan-
ters ALWAYS stood on the sideboard guests now
partake of tea, coffee, lemonade or other Heh'
beverages In the home Of one who is now a
prominent advocate o. total abstinence wine was
formerly served, even at children's parties
In Canada as in other places, the zeal or total
abstainers sometimes outruns their discretIoh'
on the eve of his marriage young man received
,e,tor from a jealous member Of the
womon's Christian Temperance Union. she
informed him that she believed he was al
dio,ed n the excessive use Of intoxicants,
,hat his bride had suffered from the same
cause in her family and she implored him