Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1904-08-02
A TIMELY TOPIC

A great many people who have re-
gard for the observance of the Sabbath
and others who do not care much for
religious ceremonies but believe m the
benefits OF weekly rest-day' object
TO the introduction OF automobile races
on Sunday We share In the very
common regret that this innovation has
been inaugurated, and that IL has re-
ceiyed the countenance OF 80 many of
our citizens.
This paper aims to give the news
from all points and Of all kinds, and
therefore mentions the occurrences OF
Sunday rs we'll as other days But
that must not be taken as an endorse
ment of the doings that are thus chron-
icled. Particulars Of a ball game or
any sort Of amusement on Sunday do
not imply approval, any more than tld-
ings Of an accident murder or battle
on that day. We publish news because
this is newspaper, nut our opinions
are another matter and are given edl-
torially.
Many inquiries are made as 20 the
duty OF the county officers in relation
to this departure from the old way of
preserving order and peace on the
first day Of the week commonly called
Sunday" as provided by law. The
statutes now in force concerning sun
day work and amusements were franz
ed long before the automobile was In
vented. They provide against horse-
racing and barbarous and noisy aInuse-
mcnts, and also against the sale Of
intoxlcants. and keeping open any place
Of business for the purpose OF trans
acting business therein" The spirit and
intent OF the law IS to prohibit amuse-
ments and traffic, that in any way dis
turb the quiet OF the day OF rest and
require unnecessary labor on that day.
Technically. the runners Of automo-
bile races may not violate the letter OF
the law, because they do not engage
either In "horse-raoing" or "barbar-
Gus and noisy amusement But the
proprletors Of the places where they en-
gage In their sports and the hands em-
ployed there, are guilty Of a INSIDE
meanor as defined in section 1928 Of the
Compiled Laws OF Utah OF 1895 IL
they do not perform unnecessary labor"
"and do unnecessary business on sun
day. there is no meaning In the lang
uage Of the law.
This, however Is open to the con-
atructlon that may be given to It by
the courts If test case is had for the
purpose. And meanwhile the officers OF
the law viii have to proceed under the
general understanding us to It's pro-
visions and meaning. We do not de-
sire TO establish Puritan Sabbath. nor
to repress the natural desire for free
dom from strict restraint on that day.
We would not force upon others that
respect for the Lords day that we feel
and try. to promote We look upon this
as a cosmopolitan city, and would not
advocate undue restrictions upon peo-
pie of various ideas and customs. But
we would like to sc the law observed
ana respected according 20 the spirit
and meaning thereof, and We do not
think that is done by a noisy, shouting,
yelling assemblage Of excited people, or
by the frantic racers or players who
pander TO the olamors Of the crowd, and
make the day Of rest and peace n time
OF toll and tumult and disorder
After all this is largely a matter OF
social education ana OF home training.
"Thcre is time for all things" that are
right, Sunday Is not the right time for
the rIotous conduct and tumultuous
amusements complained Of, aud chill
dren should be trained to sense and feel
thus for themselves, 80 that they Will
not engage In anything that Is subyer-
siye Of sacred or secular regulations,
We Will promise the people OF this
city and state, II they observe the law
OF the sabbath as intended by the Gre
ator and indicated by statute and or
dlnance, that they viii enjoy life longer
and better and that society viii be inn
proved and be more pleasurable than
by the promotion OF reckless lawless
and disturbing amusements, on the one
day out Of seven that should give re-
spite from labor and opportunity for
mental and spiritual Improvement, Give
us quiet and peaceful Sunday