The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1904-11-25
WANTS A WIDE
OPEN SUNDAY LAW

A great deal of dissatisfaction is GER
I tain 10 exist among the majority OF
the citizens of this community over the
present. rioid enforcement of the Ha-
waiian Sunday law There is ample
time now before the meeting OF our
I legislature. for all parties concerned. to
pet together and exnress their ideas
! about the existino law and to make
| suggestions for any desired changes
| which would seem most beneficial to
the greater part of citizens of this Tel
ritory. Our needs and wishes ought to
be impressed upon the memory of our
legislators, SO they will not fail to bring
| the matter to a vote in their coming
session. We are a free people and why
should we tie ourselves down to a law,
which is literally making a slave of us
on Sunday.
In one sense of the word. Sunday Is
dav of rest-rest from toil-but | am
certain, that the majority of the popu-
lation of the United States. especially
the middle class, looks forward to a
Sunday as day of recreation. Many
States of the Union regard Sunday as
strictly religious holiday, notwith-
standing the fact, that probably over
one-half of the inhabitants of these
particular States have an exactly re-
verse opinion and to please the rest, sim
ply have to play bird in cage on Sun
days.
In what way does ball game, a
public dance, concert, or saloon prove
TO be more of a nuisance on Sunday,
than on any other day. if not looked
upon from a Temperance or religious
point of view? | believe in liberal
Sunday law, giving every individual a
chance to choose his own way of spend
ing Sunday. The working class is I'M
der orders of their employers during the
whole week, great many have to work,
till late in the day and have no time
for recreation, neither time to supply
their wants. These people especially,
ought to be permitted to be their own
boss on Sundays, SO as to make life
worth living. Those who wish to rest,
may stay at home and those DESTROYS
to attend church and spend the day il.
prayer, will most certainly not be dis
turbed by others who wish to spend the
day in a more lively manner. Give all
chance.
Stores ought to be permitted to open
few hours on Sunday, for the CON
venience of many who are obliged to
make purchases then, not having the
necessary time during the week. Soda
water and cigar stands should be al
lowed TO open under any circumstances,
as they would not even be contrary to
the temperance law. Restaurants ought
to be allowed TO keep open as late as
they wish to. Saloons are a horror tc,
the temperance societies, but not to
those who nave no grudge against
liquor. A saloon ought not to be an
noying on Sundays, if proper order IS
kept within, like III some of the better
saloons III this town now. Closed
saloons, induce people to sell liquor
without licenses.
All men are not inclined to become
temperance and those who wish to drink,
will always manage to find liquor 1t
will always be sold Illegally no matter
how vigilant the police may be. In most
OF these cases dealer and purchaser are
friends and those who are enabled to
purchase their liquor will certainly not
give their benefactor away. as this
would by no means be a friendly act and
besides there are other days to come
The example of a much appreciated
Sunday law, which has proven "a sue
cess, is furnished by GERMANY and some
other European countries. In Germany
where the population seems to be as
religious as in the United States, and
where religion is even supported by the
government, inasmuch as the govern
ment maintaining churches and paying
salaries of the priests, very free Sun
day law exists and the community
seems to live in perfect harmony with
It Stores are open between the hours
OF 9 a. m. and P. m. Saloons are open
all day and public dances, games, con
certs and enjoyments of any description
are lawful on Sundays.
A Sunday law on this basis exists in
Davenport and other cities of Iowa and
has proven a success.
am in favor of the closing of fac
tories and shops, etc, on Sundays, be-
cause they afford neither rest nor
recreation, but would possibly tempt
their proprietors or managers to require
their employees to work, were they per
m1tted to open.
Respectfully
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