The Washington times., 1905-07-16
Rhode Islands Governor
a Seventh Dau Adventist

~ oV. GEORGE H UTTER, Of
Rhode Island, is a Seventh
Day Baptist. and therefore on
the last day Of the week the
executive department OF the State does
no business Strangers who come from
a distance to see the governor often
choose the weekend to travel in and
great is their disappointment when, on
arriving at the capitol, they learn that
Governor Utter is conducting his Sab
bath school in Westerly and cannot dis
cuss temporal affairs until after sunset.
Rhode Islanders, therefore. who are ac-
quainted with the governors religious
scruples, make their calls upon him be-
fore SundoWn Friday
The inauguration of President Roose-
velt happened to fan upon Saturday,
and the large delegation of officials
that Rhode Island sent to Washington
went without Governor Utter. Because
Saturday is the executives Sabbath,
the lieutenant sovernor, Frederick II.
Jackson. a CongresationaIist, has be-
come unusually prominent through
serving as the chief guest of honor at
Saturday functions. Many of the gala
events Of the State occur on that day,
especially in the warm weather, when
the shore resorts spread their far-famed
; clam dinnerS Upon these occa sions thu
lieutenant governor represents the State
The governors Sabbath, however,
closes when the sun sets. and sometimes
he makes public appearance at night
J fail. but he viii doubtless be responsible
during his term OF Office for robbing Sat
| urday OF its normal importance as a day
| or public festivities Already the day
has lost much of its old-tine gayety
The governor is editor and owner of
the Westerly Sun. Which is published
every day IN the week except Saturday.
| 1t has no SCrupleS against going to press
| on Saturday, however. Half of the town
| OF Westerly observes as Its Sabbath the
! last day OF the week, and the other half
the first day. The result is the mills ara
running and shops are open throughout
The week. It IS said that certain Sew
eEth Day Baptists and Sunday obSerV-
ers nave gone into partnership with one
another in many instances so as to al
! low the same places a chance 70 do
business both Saturdays and Sundays
However that may be, the State has
! passed special laws TO permit the eT-
treme southwestern part of RhGds
! Island to work or rest on the first and
last days of the week, just as it may
see fit
Recently the State has become deep
| y concerned about the governors re-
| HSious views It was announced in
the papers recently that the chief ex-
| ecutiVe WAS expected TO be present ar
the first annual field day of the Central
| Trades Council, to be hSiG upon Sun
! day. The announcement brought forth
| Il great amount OF discussion Sunday
! observers protested against the pros
pective appearance of the governor at
athletic contests and baseball games
on the first day Of the week They
| asserted that il he attended this tieId
day he would break one of the laws OF
Rhode Island, and, what is far worse
he would be giving the sanction of
the State to Sunday sports. The COVER
nor listened to these notes of warning
and stayed away. He sent banner.
however. to the Sabbath breakers TO be
offered as u prize III one OF the con-
tests. ,