The Irish standard., 1897-03-20

.''soulless" organization appears to seri-
ously affect the conscience of it's mem
bers. Much, no doubt, Of our municipal
corruption and disrespect for municipal
law springs from this we'll known fact,
that corporate bodies, who conduct their
business by favor Of city franchise, are
guilty Of tainting municipal affairs by
the generous application OF filthy
lucre." The remedy for this demorallz-
ing state of affairs could be found in re-
voking every franchise enjoyed by a cor
poration the moment it is known to be
guilty of using money for the purpose
ofbribing or corrupting city officials. In
order to be able TO pursue such course
1t would be necessary to have clause
to this effect embodied in the charter OF
the corporation, namely, that his fran
chise would be forfeited the instant
any member Of the corporation was
known to attempt bribery Or corruption.
, This wise precaution would deter de-
signing men from aiding in the election
corporate brfbers. The greedy corpora
ton would be- far more solicitous for the
election CT honest and incorrupible men
TO office. when it became clear to all that
dishonest methods menaced the best IN
terests OF all concerned In them. Mu-
nicIpal government is more in danger
from the intriguing designs OF greedy
corporations, grasping for favcrs not
vouchsafed them by law, than from any
other influences known in our American
life.
The saloon and the interests OF the
liquor trade are Justly condemned Tor
much of the disgrace that attaches Itself
to. our municipal affairs. But close OBJ
servaticn must convince any man, no
matter how bitterly he may resent the
mischieYous influence Of the saloon
power III city politics, that it should not
be compelled to bear ali the blame for
official corruption. The guilt of the sa-
loon element can in no way minimize
the guilt CT any other element in public
life, that seeks to Illustrate the will OF
the people The saloon, however, IS
often found a convenient scapegOat for
the sins Of others.
The laws of all the states in the union,
as we'll as the municipal ordinances, pro-
hihit the dissertation Of the Sunday, and
enjoin abstinence from unnecessary Ia
Dor on this day sacred to rest and re-
ligion Our transportation companies,
and other powerful corporations, mani
fest their utter contempt for these just,
equitable and humane laws, and for the
rights and sacred privileges that pro-
gressive civilization should secure to
workngmen by boldly disturbing the
sacred quiet of the Sunday, and by en-
croaching upon the hallowed rights Of
their helpless employees. In every city
Of this great and free land there are
hundreds of honest, industrious heads OF
families, husbands and fathers. who are
so mercilessly bound to the wheel of in
dustrialism, that they never, from one
end of the year to the other, CAN hold
their heads erect as free men, and IN
company with their wives and little ones
visit church OF Sunday and worship
God according to the dictates OF their
consciences. The Sunday that belongs
to God for public worship, and to man
for purposes; OF needed rest, IS thus
seized upon by the demon of cupidlty in
order TO ill the plethoric purse CT cor
porate greed 4 man need not be Dessi-
mist to Indignantly denounce this
shameless contempt of the rights Of God
and man.
Experience demonstrates every day
that it is imperatiyely necessary to have
certain portions Of different lines OF in
dustry active even ON the Sunday, IN or
der to protect large interests from utter
ruin, and to accommodate public exig-
encies. No reasonable man will condemn
such works of necessity being performed
upon the Sunday. Right reason and the
prrecepts OF religion admit the propriety
CT performing works of absolute neces-
SHY ana worthy CAdiItJ oiA I1iV oA@i0ESJ'
Both right reason and religion. how
ever, will unsperingly condemn the prac-
tice of forcing men to habitually per-
form even works of necessity uIHa the
Sunday. No necessity can be so urgent
as to demand that men should constant
" sacrifice their right to religious in
s;111ction, and their sacred right to give
public worship to Gcd on the day set
apart by both state and church for this
purpose. If corporations cherished any
feelings of sympathy whatever for the
human. beings who harvest for them
their gains they would make provision
for their Sunday rest and for their right
to receive the benefits Of religious in
struction and religious influence on the
Sunday. It would be very simple mat
ter to so arrange the employment OF
men. if work must be done upon the Sun
day. that at least men would be free on
some Sundays throughout the year. yes,
free the greater portion Of the time. If
they are to work at all on Sunday, it
should be the exception and not the rule
that they do so. Every interest OF re-
ligion and humanity demands this.