Evening star., 1899-04-03
SUNDAY LAWS DISCUSSED
Local Ministers Have Conference With
shd pistrio. Commissioners.
p'-eontin!e .--aot sunaa, rerrorm-
"nse- at tne fhenter. Commented
UporI Exchange of Views.

The pastsrs osI several of the local
churches tshay SSnferred with the Dis
trict Commks ssionass upon the subject of
Sunday law and while the hearing was a
brief one. the ministers departed much
pleased with the3opinions expressed by
Commissioners WIGHT and Ross in the mat
ter. Capt. Beach, the Engineer Commits
sioner, was prevented from attending the
conference because of other duties.
The hearing was the result of desire
upon the part of the ministers to present
their objections to theatrical performances
on Sunday, and, if possible, have the Dis
trfct authorities order their discontinuance.
DR.. Lucien Clark, pastor Of Foundry NJ.
r.. Church, the first speaker at the hearing
explained to the Commissioners that there
had been no formal call for a meeting of
the local pastors on the subject, and since
the managers of the theaters have decided
TO give no more Sunday performances 1t
would seem that no further action is nee
essary. Yet as the ministers had called, it
would be well, thought DIR. Clark to obtain
an expression of opinion from the Com
missioners as to what necessity, If any,
there Is for the enactment of comprehen-
sive Sunday law.
The ministers, said DR.. Clark We're de-
lighted to learn that the managers have de-
performances, as he doubted not are the
great majority of the people of the Dis
trict. He asked If it Is true, however, that
only BARRIERS and saloon keepers are pre-
vented from opening their places during
Sunday. for if it be true, the ministers
would like to know it, and to ask If there
is anything they can do to secure a more
general observance of the day.
Maryland Act of 1928.
At Commissioner Wights suggestion.
Commissioner Ross said it appears that
only the old Maryland act of 1923, prohibit
Ing certain work and pastimes on Sunday
is claimed to be in force here, and he
doubted If even that act. imposing a fine of
-" pounds Of tobacco is still in force in
the District -
Mr. William Birney suggested that an old
act of Charles Fl is operative here but Mr.
Ross said it would appear that only the
ordinanC- of 1863 prohibiting the opening
of barber shops on Sunday, and the liquor
law of 1883 and its amendments are oper-
atiye. Continuing, Mr.. Ross remarked that
ne has always held that the people of the
District better observe the Sabbath than do
the people of any other place. No more
orderly people are to be found he believes
and he has yet to learn that the interests
OF any one have been injured by the lack
of stringent Sunday laws here
Some time ago, upon complaint of the
Commissioners, they amended the police
regulations so as, to prohibit the crying of
Sunday newspapers and while various
drafts of Sunday laws have been presented
To the commissioners, some of which they
approved, it would seem that there is no
great or pressing necessity for the enact
ment of any drastic measure, Indeed, until
the giving of theatrical performances on
Sunday it had seemed to him that the laws
in force were all that were required.
Replying tdsan inquiry of DR.. Clark as to
whether the commissioners would approve
a Conservative. Sunday law, Mr.. Ross said
-
feI TO see and examine the proposed law
before expressing any opinion on it.
Agrees with Mr.. Ross.
Commissioner Wight stated that he agreed
with Mr. Ross that the people of the Dis
trct are orderly on Sunday and observe
The day properly as the people of any
other city. ana as tfle people of the District
seem 20 be getting along so well under the
laws in force he doubted the wisdom of en-
acting any further Sunday laws AS a gem
eral principles 4the hess laws there are the
opinion in the matter Of Sunday theatrical
performances worked to such good adyan-
tag, 1t would seem that public opinion is
perhaps the very best law possible.
The Rev. DIR. Teunis Hamlin, pastor of
the Church of the Covenant, expressed his
qualification at what had been said by the
Commissioners, remarking that when the
ministers saw that the theater managers
Sunday performances he and they were
greatly gratified. He expressed his pleas
ure at the thought that he and his asso-
ciates are in harmony with the Commits
sioners on the subject. and stated that he
agreed with the Commissioners that there
should be no effort made to secure a radi-
cal Sunday law
Among those present at the hearing were
the Rev DIR. Teunis S. Hamlin, Rev. Lucien
Clark, Rev. w. C. Alexander pastor of
the West Street Presbyterian Church; Rev.
George b. Wheeler, pastor of the Seventh
Day Adventists; Dr. Daniel McFarlan,
Avenue Church; Rev J. Fred Heisse, pastor
of Wesley Chapel; Mr., B. H. Warner, chair
man of the Presbyterian Alliance; Mr.
Charles S. Moore of the New York Avenue
Presbyterian Church, Mr.. William Birney
and Mr.. a. E. Shoemaker, attorney of the
Anti-Saloon League.