The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-10-18
TO ENFORCE THE
SUNDAY LAWS.
Dr.. Hawthorne Tells What the Min
listers Desire.
CITES THE CASE OF NASHVILLE.
He Believes the Richmond Authorities
Can DO What the Pastors De
sire-The Committee TO
Meet Soon.

The first step in the crusade against
Sabbath dissertation, which has been in
auguartod by the Ministerial Union Of
Richmond, will probably be the prosenta-
ton of petition TO the municipal authon-
ties asking that the laws forbidding sun
day traffic be enforced.
Although no meeting Of the sub-commit-
tee charged with the preparing Of plan
Of procedure has as yet been held, the
members will probably meet within a few
days and a plan decided upon which viii
then be submitted to the Union for con-
sideration az its next meeting in Noyem-
Der. Dr. Hawthorne. pastor Of the Grove
Avenue Baptist church. is a member of
the subcommittee referred to- When seen
last evening Or. Hawthorne said:
DIR. HAWTHORNE TALKS.
"The primary object of this action upon
the part of the ministers Of Richmond is
to secure obedience TO the law and the
proper Observance of the Sabbath. If We
fail in this. then we must know why the
laws cannot be or are not enforced and
fix the blame. This will be done If the
statutes are not observed. We believe
that the majority Of the citizens Of Rich
mOnd are for law and order and will
stand by us ia this fight. The Sunday
saloon trade can only serve one end and
that is TO give impetus and growth 10
crime and lawlessness In this city.
Other cities have had a similar c0ndi-
ton existing in them Take Nashville.
Tor instance. A short time ago saloons
and gambling dens We're wide open seven
days I'm the week. The authorities knew
Of their existence, but took no action I'm
regard TO closing them. The state Of af-
fairs went from bad 90 worse. and fin
ally the ministers OF that city petiuoned
the city authorities 20 adopt some meas
ure looking toward the enforcement of
law. The authorities, however. refused
declaring that they were pOwerless TO I'M
terfere. The better class of citizens
however. We're thoroughly aroused and
demanded that steps De- Immediately tak-
en- for the suppression OF ldwlessness and
vice I'm their city. The ministers then de-
cided 10 adopt vigorous measures. and
petition was prepared which was 20 De
sent TO the Governor of Tennessee. stat
ing the condition of affairs existing in
Nashville. and that the authorities had
Acknowledged themselves unable 90 sup
the state. This defiance on the part OF
those engaged I'm the unlawful methods
of carrying on traffic amounted 10 open
rebellion 20 the government. and the petit
ton asked that the Governor place at the
disposal OF the authorities military
force sufficient to restore law and order.
AUTHORITIES AWAKE.
"That petition never reached the Exec
utive of the state. When the Nashville
authorities heard Of IT. they suddenly
found by some means or other that they
were able 10 cope with the situation. and
within n comparatively short time no
more Sunday bar trade was done in that
city. and an the gambling houses were
closed.
"The authorities of Richmond are able
10 enforce the law, and we ask that they
do it. our aim as ! have said is to se-
cpre the proper obedience to the law and
for the proper observance Of the Sab
bath"