The Portland daily press., 1900-08-30
MEMORIAL DAY ON SUNDAY.
Some of the Veterans In Portland Favor
1t While Others Oppose the Idea.

The question of the change Of Memoria
Day so that hereafter it shall be observed
every year on Sunday, rather than on a sec
ular day Is one that has aroused the great
est interest among members of the G. A
Il. throughout the country. This has
been subject which has long been dis
cussed among the veterans and their
friends. especially as many of them have
believed for a long time that the day
has become one of celebration and desc
Grafton by the people at large instead Of
being religiously observed IN memory Of
the sons Of the nation who lost their
lives on the battlefield or were in the
army fighting for the preservation of
the country. This question comes up be-
fore the national encampment OF the q.
A. r., which is now being held IN Chi
cago. Not all of the veterans share in
the opinion that Memorial Day should
be appointed on a Sunday. OF the vete-
rams in Portland there are those who are
in favor OF the change; and there are
those who are also IN favor of having
conditions continue as they have existed
since the organization of the G. A. K.
81 am heartily in favor of a change be-
ing made to Sunday, "said ex-Judge
Enoeh Foster, yesterday. "If the day
comes on Sunday 1t win answer every
purpose. Then, too, it viii also do away
with the dissertation of Memorial Day
which has been allowed to increase more
a nd more every year"
81 rather think that it would be we'll
toImake the proposed change to Sunday"
said Major William III Green, one of the
ex-commanders of Bosworth Post. II
think that it would tend to prevent the
dissertation of The day so that horse races,
base ball games and such other pastimes
would not be- allowed to hold sway on
this most sacred day of the year. or
late years the day has become pretty we'll
desecrated."
81 am ore of those who think that it
would be a good plan to have the day
changed 10 Sunday, stated Samuel IL.
Cannon, long the janitor OF BosWorth
Post hall, ana one of the best known g.
A. r. men in the city.
IT don't believe very much In making
this change, remarked David d. Han
negan. ''If the day was to be observed
on Sunday we couldn't have any parade.
But If we did then try to nave parade
we would be trying to do just what 1T
was intended that we should not do on
Sunday. Then the change would not
have much effect in the west where all
games ara played on Sunday just as on
any other day and where also the theatres
are opened. think that we should let
it go as 1t is now and die out with the
Grand Army. 1t won't be many years
before all ofzthe veterans will have passed
away
1T seems to me-" said Rensselaer, Gree
ley ''that we had better allow things to
just as they are"
81 don't know why it should be
changed to Sunday" said David Y. Har-
ris. ST believe, that the authorities,
however, should change the mode of
on Memorial Day so that
everything should not come In for a cele-
bration on that day.
81 don't think that it is hardly time to
change the day yet said Harlan p
ingalls,.
Il think that the day would lose its in
terest If it was changed to Sunday, said
Alexander johnson.
II don't think that any OF our spirit
friends on the other side would feel any
different about it than they do now, was
the comment of DR.. e. B. Reed. "And
it makes no difference to me when they
hold it,