Bisbee daily review., 1908-09-23
KANSAS CITY
SUNDAY LAW.

mas IalleQ.
The laws for Sunday closing have
been upon the Missouri statute books
for mary years, and their existence
seemed almost forgotten until the
movement was inaugurated nearly a
year ago to enforce them to the very
letter of their provisions. 1t would
seem that public opinion has changed
materially since these laws became
operative, and as they do not suit
the mind of the mass of Kansas
City's citizens. the attempt at enforce
ment has failed.
The movement has been directed
by William H. Wallace, judge Of the
criminal court, and he attempted to
close barber shops, bake shops, the
corner groceries and theaters. The
Judge got together a grand jury that
was in sympathy with his views, and
the same Jury was subpoenaed three
times because they have proved salts
factory to the court. Finally, after
eleven months cooperation with the
Judge, the prosecuting attorney and
the city marshal rebelled against the
unusual manner of procedure and de-
manded that a new grand jury be
summoned In the usual way. Several
days ago this was done, and of the
twelve men supoenaed five openly de-
clared they were not in sympathy
with the strict enforcement of the
Sunday law. These five were ex-
cused and the Judge Immediately
chose from among the spectators the
necessary number whom he knew to
be in accord with his views. The
prosecuting attorney refused to rec
ognize this as legal grand jury, and
after an allnight deliberation Judge
Wallace admitted himself beaten and
has quit the fight.
The fight has gone on for nearly a
year, during which time close upon
1000 indictments were returned, de-
spite which fact scarcely a conviction
has occurred. There have been 1000
actors and theater attaches arrested,
but only two of that number have
been convicted, and they were not
players but ticket sellers, who were
fined the minimum fine of 81. 1t was
impossible to select jurors at ran
dom from list of $4,000 and find any
twelve who would be sticklers for a
puritanical Sunday. But it happens
that only six actors were brought to
trial, three of them being acquitted
and three of them being set free by
disagreeing juries. Two thousand
cases were recently dismissed when
they came before another judge on
change of venue.
All of this is proof positive that
Kansas City did not want it's theaters
closed on Sunday, and it also cd moi
want places where necessities were
sold closed. The saloon, however, Is
to remain closed as tightly on Sun
day in the future as it has been IN
the past Kansas City does not con
slider the closed saloon on Grnday as
puritanical, nor the saloonless Sun
day as blue Sunday. It is difficult
to determine whether the fight made
in Kansas City has been altogether
genuine and made in the interest o
actual enforcement of the law, Oh
whether the fact that the saloons were
made to respect a closing law which
others disregarded, has caused then
to get a movement designed to tes
the law. Many OF the Missouri pa
pers seem to hold the fight to have
been made in good faith, but at the
same time the saloon people are al
ready saying that when a man car
buy cigar on Sunday and not 8
drink, the saloon men are being dis
eliminated against.
Whether they have had anything t.
do with the movement to test the Law
or not the wise -aloon man doing
business in Kansas City viii not at
tempt to defy public opinion which
has been so strongly and conclusive
ly expressed. II thersaIoon has any
hope Of resisting the tremendous pro
hibition sentiment which is sweeping
over the whole United States it viii
lie in its abiding by laws and respect
ing public opinion.