The Washington times. (Washington [D.C.]) 1901-1902, 1902-05-23
Meet and DenounCe Pro-
posed Strict ObSer-
vance of Sunday.
URGE PERSONAL LIBERTY
Committee of Five Named to Call on
Commissioners Relative to Pending
Legislation - Deem Present Law in
Every Way Sufficient for Sabbath

heimer Hall. 5l4 Ninth Street north
west. last night. there developed or
gained opposition to proposed legisla-
o. ton now pending before Congress fol-
strict observance of Sunday and gen.
eral cessation of business on that day
The broad principle of liberty. unre-
strained except by necessary, just. and
equal laws. was the dominant subject
discussed. although Sunday observance
especially In the District. came up for
particular consideration. ard led to &C
tion by the meeting, looking toward the
defeat OF the proposed bill and like
measures recently submitted to Con-
gress through the Commissioners.
Committee of Five.
committee of five. appointed from
those who attended the meeting, and in
structed to call upon the Commissioners
at an early date in reference to the
pending bill. will urge upon the Off
cials one of two propositions.
The views OF the majority OF those
opposed to Sunday legislation, as de-
termined by vote last night, are that
present laws for Sabbath observance
'lividual. the merchant or tradesman
should have a right to omen or close
his store or other business house on
the first day Of the week: and more
especially so because certain sects, for
religious reasons, choose Saturday as II
day Of rest and recreation.
The committee appointed was in
structed to present these views to the
Commissioners and to urge. finally, that
the proposed Sunday bill be so amend
ed as to permit the observance OF Sat
urday instead of Sunday as day of rest
from toll. In such case, it was repre-
scented. as is now a fact, that stores OF
certain merchants would be closed dur
ing Saturday but open part OF Sunday.
1t was claimed by many that Sunday
stores are among the necessities OF the
people. and that all benefit thereby.
Mr.. Smith Chairman.
The meeting was called to order at S
O'Clock. and Henry Smith. of 604 Four
apd-a-half Street southwest, was chosen
chairman. No time was lost in formal
tiles. but the views OF many present
were asked. Chairman Smith announced
the object of the meeting. He said that
the proposed Sunday legislation would
work a hardship upon the whole people.
To secure Justice; to prevent unfair,
impolitic measures being enacted by
Congress; TO influence properly the
Commissioners in their recommends
tons. and to preserve individual free
dom and religious observance. were the
subjects with which the meeting must
grapple.
The chairman then called upon b. F.
Davis, who had something to say about
The number OF stores kept open in Wash
lngton on Sunday. Mr.. Davis declared
that i 900 stores were open on Sunday
Notwithstanding the fact that the police
had reported that scarcely 300 merchants
sold goods on the Sabbath.
Mr.. Davis wanted the right to keep
his store, at COZ Second Street south
west, open half day op Sunday. This.
he said, he had done to the mutual ad-
vantage OF merchant and patron. He
suggested that petitions be sent TO the
Commissioners and Congress- adverse in
tone to the proposed Sunday bill.
Present Laws Sufficient.
Morris Bloom. grocer, of 100 New
Jersey Avenue southeast, thought the
present laws on the subject sufficient.
IL uaptad m kaar bic ,1oca imam ba
a day on Sunday. He said poor people.
mainly. whose work kept them until
late Saturday night, were often unable
TO buy necessaries until Sunday morning
ing. Mr.. Bloom was willing TO close
his place on Saturday. He only wanted
fair play from Congress and the Com
missioners.
Henry Sackerman, of 315 Four and-a-
half Street southwest, does not believe
in Sunday laws at all. He said men
should obey the Constitution, which did
not restrict the rights Of the individual
beyond principles generally recognized
throughout the country. II stores were
10 be closed, Mr.. Sackerman thought
the ministers should be prohibited from
preaching on Sunday; street cars should
be stopped, and all other business sus-
pended.
Paul Harmel, one OF the committee OF
five appointed to cali on the Commits
sioners, discountenanced Sunday laws,
which restricted individual rights. He
said, however, that he wanted action in /
the pending controversy; that talk 1
should cease, and the meeting 20 10
work. He then moved the appointment
OF the committee.
Wants Fair PLAY.
DR.. Julius T. Loeb, rabbi Of the Jew
ish faith. made a sensible address. de-
claring for one day of rest in the week, |
and said, Let that day be Saturday, ac-
cording TO our conception OF the Bible"
Dr. Loeb then said that II Saturday was
observed as Sunday by part OF the pop
ulation. the restriction as TO the Chris
tian Sabbath should then be removed.
so far as the laws permitted. DR.. Loeb
was afterward appointed as a member
OF the committee 20 visit the Commits
sioners.
Julius Abbott. of 1922 Four and-a-
Half Street southwest, said he wanted
no new laws, as the present statutes
were sufficient for Sunday observance.
Rudolph sauer, who next spoke, said he
thought religion wsE at the bottom OF
the movement for general Sunday clos
ing. Mr.. Sauer was sure one of the
CASTORtA fsrIHfsnts and Chat1a