The morning times., 1897-01-18
THEY FAVOR REFORM BILLS
Bishop Satterlee Speaks for the
District Sunday Law.
PETITIONS SENT TO CONGRESS-
A Meeting Under the, Auspices of
the Reform bureau, After Ad-
dresses by Leaders of Temper
anee and Religious Societies,
= Passes Resolutions. ~- ~

Four denominations of Christians, three
reform organizations, and one Of the great
young peoples religious organizations of
the country, Were represented i'll the chanceI
of the Metropolitan Methodist Church for
the Sunday law and temperance meeting
yesterday afternoon, Hon. Charles Lyman,
late civil service commissioner, and presi
dent or the reform bureau, under whose
auspices they met, directed the proceed
lngs. With him in the pulpit were Disl op
Satterlee Rev. j. G. Butler, Rev W. F.
crafts, superintendent of the bureau, and
Mrs. NJ b Platt and Mrs. j. F. Ellis, of
the w. G. t. u. The Rev. III ugh Johnston,
pastor Of the church. ami President James
l.. Ewin, of the Anti-SaIoon League, occu-
pied seats at each side of the steps, The
room was about half filled with an
audience that had braved the bad weather
to be present.
In the course of the meeting resolutions
were unanimously adopted urging the pas
sage of five bills pending in Congress, and
the meeting was called upon to contribute
tothe supporto the reform bureau, of which
superintendent Crafts in the leading spirit,
ana TO make pledges to its steady support.
The meeting was opened with an invo-
eaton by DR.. Butler, and with singing. Mr..
Lyman made brief address, in which he
set forth the purpose of the hour.
He referred to the agitation in favor of
putting the name OF God in the Constitu-
ton, and said he was one OF those who
believed that GOD was already recognized
In that organic law, and there was no
reason FOR any amendment. He intro
duced Bishop Satterlee, who would speak
upon the Sunday question.
The chief duty Of a Christian, said DIR.
satterlee, is at all times, and in all places
to witness for Christ
Personally he was glad there was no
mention OF God by name in the Constitution
This was Christian country, the most
Christian the world had ever known The
proof OF it was our system of universal
suffrage. Christianity, according to the
highest authority, is the common law of
the whole country, and OF every State ex-
cept Louisiana.
Also, a decision OF the Supreme Court has
declared that the American Constitution
is essentially Christian.
The Constitution provides that the Presi-
dent shall hold for his consideration any
measure passed by Congress for ten days,
exclusive of Sunday If the President is
10 be excused from labor on Sunday then
the poorest workingman in the country
has the same right to be relieved.
The Sunday law contained no specifically
Christian words. 1t was well SO. The
law was most moderate and no one could
find objection to it. A Congressman was
quoted as saying that no reasonable man
could object TO voting for that law 1t
should rally to its support all who love
good order. 1t permits sales of periodicals,
OF all necessaries, etc, and is wholly prac-
teal and satisfactory.
This law could not be assailed as ex-
perimental. 1t had been tried already
Tile test was right here in the District of
Columbia and LASTED twenty-five wears
The first half of it had been the law pre-
vious 20 the change of government in
Washington and had gone out of force by a
misclance.
1t had been urged that such a law was
not necessary, because Washington is the
quietest city n the country. He had last
Sunday made a visit to Willow Tree
alley, Tin Cup alley and other Washing
ton sluIns. Any one who might have gone
with him would have had that objection
fully answered.
Two men had made an observation
one Sunday on Seventh street west and
on Pennsylvania avenue southeast. They
found 317 places of business open. OF
these Al were groceries, % boot, shoe and
hat stores, and the remainder variously
distributed. This was specific circunstan.
tial proof of the need of such legislation.
DR.. Satterlec urged in closing that all
present use their influence by letter and
by personal appeal to secure the passage
Of the law.
Mr.. Dewhnrst presented resolution
authorizing the speakers at the meeting
to prepare and present to Congress u me-
mortal on behalf of the 200 persons present
asking the re-enactment of the District
Sunday law. 1t was adopted without
dissent
Later Mr.. Crafts secured the adoption
of similar resolutions in favor of the bills
to exclude liquor from the Capitol, to
amend the District liquor law, to raise