The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-08-02

Shelton. Wash, July %. 1898.
To the Editor: On this subject there is
some agitation in this community. 1t has
been the uniform practice and course OF
business here for saloons TO run wide open
on Sunday as well as other days and for
the business houses to keep open for bust
ness for at least a part of the day. Now
come the ladies of the Woman's Christian
Temperance Union Society and request me,
as public officer TO notify these people
saloonkeepers and merchandise close up
on Sunday. This l declined. Thereupon
they sought the aid OF other counsel and
sought 70 coerce the prosecuting attorney.
But II evidently dawned on the mind of
the eminent legal light consulted that il
was barely possible the prosecuting attor-
ney would find some means to control any
prosecutions Instituted. The statute
sought TO be enforced reads as follows: 1T
shall be unlawful for any person or per-
sons OF this state to open on Sunday for
the purpose Of trade or sale OF goods
wares and merchandise. any shop. store or
building. or place OF business whatever:
provided that this section shall apply to
hotels only insofar as the sale Of intoxi-
eating liquors is concerned. and shall not
apply 10 drug stores, livery stables or
undertakers. Any person or persons vio-
lating this section shall be guilty Of A mis-
demeanor and on conviction thereof shall
he fined in any sum not less than So nor
H. -
Sec. FIT shall be the duty Of any and
all puolic officers Of this state knowing Of
any violation Of this chapter 10 make com
plant under oath to the nearest justice Of
the peace OF the county in which the Of
Tense was committed. Any public officer
who shall refuse or wilfuily neglect 10 In
form against and prosecute offenders
against the last preceding section shall lie
deemed guilty OF nlisdemeanor, and on
conviction shall he punished by fine of
not less than SIS nor more than 800 and
the court Justice cOurtl before which such
officer shall he tried shalt declare the Of
nee twhether that % superior Judge, gov
ernor prosecuting attorney. sheriff mar
shall or constablei. or appointment held by
sach officer vacant for the remainder 81
his term So We see by the pain reading
90 this last section II would be in the
power OF the justice ~ the peace to declare
vacant the Office 81 governor. Judge or
prosecuting attorney. True. these officers
are not specially named. bet they are car
tainly public officers Of the state The
constitution provides FOR the removal Of
these officers by the legislature. but per
haps this triaing matter was overlooked
by the moral forces when securing the en-
actmeuf az the Statate unler considerations
IL seems extraordinary that any Iegisla-
tive body could be prevailed upon 20 enact
such an absurd plece of legislation ana ex-
pect IL tn he enforced by the courts and
public officers. II does not follow but tina,
a proper Sunday Law requiring a1d enf0rc-
ing a uniform day % rest 0n that dav
would b. an unusual or improper exercise
OF the police power Of the state. But such
law would not be IL the interest ~ moral
iiy or religion. buc for the benefit Of man
and beast enforcing cessation - labor
This statute is 10 such law. Respectfully.
e ". HARTMAN,
Prosecuting Attorney