Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1904-08-15
Enforcing the Sunday Law.

There were more activity Saturday
night among suburban grocery stores
than had been observed for many years.
Ice carts we're moving through the
streets until late hour, and house
keepers we're taking inventories OF their
larders in order to be certain that moth
ing was omitted which entered into their
SUNDAYS bills of fare. Apart, however,
from the absence of ice wagons upon the
streets and the closing of grocery and
meat stores, there we're no marked
changes to designate yesterday from
other Sundays. Newspaper boys tested
their lungs after having left collateral
for their appearance in the Police Court
this morning, milk wagons passed from
street to street, as did also milk boys
and others on foot. All these, however,
had left collateral at police head
quarters, while some druggists resorted
TO the same means in order to continue
to disperse soda waters, cigars, &c.
Bootblacks, livery stable keepers, con-
fectioners, conductors, keepers OF eating
houses and others we're also among the
paroled. There were "A defendants in all.
The court room this morning was
packed to sufocation by spectators. The
parties charged with delivering mix
were first arraigned. Justice Cation in
Diminishing the charges against the accus-
ed said the law under which the parties
had been arrested was intended to be
remedial not penal. The court was given
discretionary power 10 such cases, and
the ruling was to the effect that both ice
and milk were necessaries. These essen
tials will, therefore, be delivered on Sun
DAYS as heretofore. The justice entered
an order that the collateral left by the
parties be returned to them, Considera-
Bile applause followed this decision, and
it became necessary to clear the court
room of spectators.
Several boys charged with delivering
newspapers yesterday, together with the
persons in chargeSof the agencies, were
next arraigned. Justice Cation m diSpos-
ing of the cases said that heretofore when
this class of offenses had been brought
before courts, Notwithstanding the fact
that the law had been literally cOnstru-
ed, it had always been held that news
papers were not a necessity. He there
fore imposed fine of S2upOn each. The
defendants paid the fines under protest
and we're allowed ten days in which to
enter an appeal.
Several druggists who were charged
: with selling cigars and soda water were
fined 81 each, it being held by the court
that neither of these articles were neces-
saries. Another druggist against whom
the charge of selling a cake OF toilet
soap had been urged was dismissed, 1t
being suggested that soap may at times
be an essential. The parties fined noted
an appeal.
A confectioner who had delivered ten
gallons of ice cream on an excursion
steamer was next arraigned. In his state
men he said he had received the orders
for the cream last Wednesday. He was
dismissed.
The release of two livery stable keepers
followed, no evidence having been pro-
duced to show that they bad teen en-
gagged in unnecessary work.
A number of bootblacks were made
to pay 81 each for following their voca.
ton Yesterday, aud darkey was fined
50 for selling candy. He had also been
charged with disposing of pies, but the
court was not sure that pies were not at
times a necessity.
The last to be placed in the dock were
several railroad men. The court held
that the accused were engaged in a work
of necessity, as they had been ordered
by the railroad company to perform GER
tain duties, and they were not in posi-
ton to forfeit their living by quitting
work. The law was aimed at the COM
panies compelling men to work. The
accused were accordingly dismissed.
In the cases where parties noted an
appeal, the collateral was returned and
the defendants released upon their own
personal recOgnizance.
The only barber shop open was pro-
tected by law, as it is conducted by a
colored Seventh Day Adventist, who
closes his shop from sunset Friday until
sunset Saturday. and is therefore, by the
State law, allowed to do business on
Sunday.
Eiramen'S Convention and