New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-06
LAW A FARCE IN NEW-ORLEANs.

New-Orleans. Jan 5 (speciaD.-Ths Sunday law
OF Louisiana has been on the statute books since
1854 and 1t has never been changed In any par
ticular. Strenuous efforts made at every
sion OF the legislature TO make minor changes.
which might mean much. but up 70 the present
time the integrity OF the law prevails, though its
enforcement Is a farce far the city OF New
Orleans and large towns concerned
The law provides for the absolute closing OF all
places OF business where people are employed from
midnight Saturday to midnight Sunday. and i'm
poses a penalty OF fine or Imprisonment for a
short time in the parish prison Exception is made
for restaurants confectioperes soda fountains and
drug stores Restaurants are allowed to sell wines
to patrons but and other alcoholic drinks are
prohibited.
Frequent attempts have been made to change ths
law that malt liquors can be sold in restaurants
and at open air resorts. but the sentiment in favor
OF the law has proved strong for the barroom
element OF the cities. Aside from the usual senti-
ment to be found in rural neighborhoods in favor
OF restrictive laws there Is practical foundation
for the rural sentiment in Louisiana in favor Of
this law. Before its passage negroes. and whites
Also used to congTegate at the country stores on
Sundays and their liberal potations always re-
suited in murders dozens being recorded from diff
sunday de6auches united the negroes Tor their
work in the fields on Mondays. or required their
Cotton and sugar planters suffered in consequence
IN the cities the big clothing and drygoods stores
Of clerks at work half the day. and some Of them
a
The law is pretty well enforced in every respect,
except as TO the barrooms in the cities. The saloon
element has displayed enough influence to become
assured OF immunity from punishment. though
every now and then a crusade Is made ana thS
poIice are forced do their duty Each spasn
results in the saloons being closed for two or three
SUNDAYS and then they resume business as usual.
The continued threat OF agitation results IN slight
cnncsssion TO the law however. In the form or
screens and closed doors. with the Side entrance
oi1y it% popuIatIon OF 5000 in Orleans the
Sunday arrests average about hfty. About nan OF
these are directly traceable 10 the violations or ths
sunday law Probably q dozen or fifteen murders
occur in Sundays. that are directly trace
able to the Sunday saloon. But that Is nuch less
them are negro murders in the vile dens IN frank-
Inst where they congregate, and continue inc
debauches begun on Saturday night
There is n Saturday half holiday law. which IS
ONLY observed by the banking institutions NO at
tempt is enforce II against the other estaD-
The we'll known contempt OF the saloon element
for the Sunday law, and it's general disregard e1-
cant during spasms of enforcement. have led 10 q
sentiment in of its repeal on the ground that
ment is not strong enough to effect any change In
A dozen parishes in the State, through local
ontIon laws have established absolute prohibition.
but the jug trade supplies the demand for alcoholic
drinks When whiskey cannot be obtained In these
arishes n Is a common thing to see men and
bovs h,Iy natent medicines which contain alcohol
and imbibe them with relish. .
In some of tho parishes an efrort Is made 10 re-
srrict the louor traffic by high license. the town
and narish each collecting 81 900 year from each
saloon This reduces the number Of saloons. but
n oniv concentrates the traffic. The increased
trada rnors than compensate for the extra tax.
and the price OF drinks q rule Is not increased