Worcester morning daily spy., 1898-01-31
SUNDAY RECREATION.

More than thousand signatures have
been received in New York to a petition
asking the legislature 'to grant permis-
sion to the general public for indulgence
in all sports and non-professional games
which are legal on other days of the
at such places where said sports and
games are permitted on the other
days" The origin of this petition is in
teresting. The chief instigator is Emil
Fuchs, a hoy of the east side, not yet
20 years old" Apparently, he is brush
maker, one of the class that he de-
scribes, for this companions labor from
6 80 in the morning till at night, and
many of them spend their evenings at
school, when evening schools are open.
Sunday is their only holiday, and when
that day comes around, they have only
unattractive homes to stay in; reading
is little in their line; they long for out
of-door amusement, but the police
pounce upon them whenever they at
tempt a game in the parks or the va
cant lots in the suburbs. Their only
resort, therefore. is some foolish gam
bling game to be played in an obscure
alley.
Fuchs started the movement Of his
own volition, and he soon had the formal
backing of three working boys clubs.
Their petition has been circulated chief
l. = - 1,,rr +La bo1y- rf hiS clasc ht1t man
of reputation and influence. including
several clergymen, have been asked to
sign. The replies of some of the min
isters who have given the movement an
endorsement, with more or less reserva-
ton, are significant. Father Ducey. the
priestly friend of Henry George, spoke
approvingly of the petition from his
pulpit.
sequences, but wrote:
81 will gladly sign petition for a
holiday on Sunday after L p. m, but
cannot see that what you propose would
not involve an enormous invasion of the
Sunday rights to the Sunday rest Of a
great multitude of people"
Rev. DR.. Lyman Abbott of Plymouth
Church, Brooklyn, Henry Ward Beech
er's successor, wanted more definite in
formation, but in general way he
approved of the legislation asked for.
He said:
'I should want to know more about
the proposed law before signing the petit
ton for it and approving it. l am
strongly opposed to the opening Of Sun
day theatres, concert halls, ETC., but
should also be opposed to any interfer-
ence by law with such innocent games
as were carried on without disturbance
of that quiet OF the day which is essen
tiaa to its value for such as wish to use
ii as a day of both rest and worship.
They are entitled to adequate protec-
ton. 50 are the workers whose rights
to a Sunday rest can be adequately Sc
cured only by law. This being secured,
each individual should be left free to
use his quiet In such way as his own
Judgment inclination and conscience
may dictate"
President Seth Low of Columbia Uni
versity wrote: Il do not know that I
should feel called upon to antagonize
such a movement; but, on the other
hand, / do not feel at liberty to aid
it,"
Rev. DR.. Rainsford (EpiscopaD frank
" endorsed the petition, saying: 81 am
in favor of such legislation, because
those seeking it need recreation, and can
under the circumstances have it only on
Sunday"
Rev. NJ. j. Savage, formerly of Boston,
but now Of the Church of the Messiah
Onitarian), New York, said:
"I gladly sign and return to you your
petition The Puritan Sabbath has no
reason for existence except a modern
superstition. 1t Is not known In the
New Testament, and was never heard
Of in the early church.
Rev DR.. Parkhurst, the Presbyterian
political reformer, was emphatically OPP
posed, as his words show:
II have too much respect for the Sab
bath as day to be kept distinct from
other days, to be willing 70 lend CO.
operation to any movement Of the kind
proposed in your petition. We need to