The Washington times. (Washington [D.C.]) 1901-1902, 1902-06-13
MEMORANDA ABOUT
STATUTES FOR SUNDAY
Statements Issued by Di-
rection of Commissioners.
Reports Showing That Proposed Laws
for Protecting the First Day of the
Week Were Too Drastic.

Under the direction of the Commits
sioners a memorandum has been pre-
pared setting forth the action of the
board on Sunday legislation since 1894.
The memorandum was prepared to guide
the Commissioners in their present con-
sideration of the bills on the subject on
which they are framing their report.
April IS. 1851. The board says the
memorandum made an adverse report
on Senate bill 1923 and House bill 6215,
to further protect the first day Of the
week, commonly called Sunday. as a day
OF rest and worship In the District of
Columbia The Superintendent of Po-
lice in reporting on the bill stated that
there was good order in the city on
Sunday. and that there were 30 per cent
FEWER arrests made on that day than ON
any other day of the week. and he knew
of no necessity for further legislation on
the subject. The Attorney for the Dis
trict, in an opinion. stated that from
the report of the Superintendent Of Po-
lice and the strong. healthy public sem
timent in favor of the observance of the
Sabbath Day. he was OF the opinion that
there was no necessity for further leg
islation on the subject.
Compares Well With Other Cities.
March II. 1896. the board reported
on House bill 1877. with the same title
as the above. In their report tine COM
missioners stated that IL enacted into law
and strictly construed. the bill would
make it unlawful to hire any kind Of a We
hicle, to deliver ice, milk. or to sell min
eral waters on Sunday. It would pre- i,
vent the sale Of Sunday newspapers. and
all work in newspaper ofices in the
preparation of the Monday editions Of
1t would also prevent the
operation of street railways. the sale of
steamboat and railroad tickets, and the
use of the telephone and telegraph.
They stated that they did not believe
that any other city In the United States
could show any better record for peace
full and orderly observance of Sunday
than Washington.
May IL, 1896, the board. in report
Ing on Senate bill 2485, on the motion
of . Commissioner Truesdale, suggested
the following amendment: This act shall
not be construed to prevent the sale Of
other than malt and spir-
ituous liquors or to prevent the sale
of malt and spirituous liquors as now
provided for by law. or tobacco. cigars.
or steamboat tickets, or the coll
lection and delivery of baggage
No Action Since 1897.
"Nav II 1897 the Commissioners re.
ceived from the Senate Committee ON
the District u Columbia. a bill that
was introduced by Senator Mcmillan, to
further protect the first day of the week
as q day of rest in the District Of CO.
lrmbia' This bill contained the amend
ment suggested in the preceding para
graph. and the Commissioners return
ed the bill with their approval, and
its enactment.
December Is. 1897, the Commissioners
received for examination and report
House bill 1075. which was duplicate
1f the preceding, and they made SIM
lar report"
The Commissioners have taken no &C.
ion on Sunday bills since 1897, until
he present year. The bills proposed in
Congress are now in the hands of Cap
ain Newcomer, acting Engineer Com
missioner. and are being considered by
lin prior to the framing of the report
by the board.