Putnam patriot., 1908-05-22
The Civic Leasxe Makes . Move.

bers of the Civic League had gone about from store to store, & week ago last Sun day, as we announced in our last issue. obtaining evidence against the proprie- tors who kept their shops open, the public began to wonder what the next move would be by the men who think the moral well-being of the communi- ty would be better subserved If candy ice cream and soda water were not dis pensed on Sunday. As the days went by, and no action was taken, curiosity was aroused ao a considerable extent. and the question of Sunday regulation has been extensively discussed on the street and public places.
 On Saturday the League sent to the Prosecuting Attorney communication which was replied to by the Attorney. Both communications follow:
 To H.tter D. Curd, Prosecuting af- toraey of fhe Cstg af Putaam.: We, the undersigned citizens of Put l nam and members ofthe Civic League, hereby respectfully submit to you Ike annexed affidavitts furnishing you with positive evidence ol violations, ia the city of Putnam, of the so-called Sum day law, section 1889, and request that you will 'inquire after and make due presentment or complaint to the City Court of said violations Of the law, as Is made your duty, in section eS of the charter of the city of Putnam and under your oath of office as provided in section 52.
 As we know Il has been claimed that the Common Council have authorized the issuing of licenses in relation to the safe of necessities on Sundays, We call your attention to the fact that section 1869 of the general statutes of the State makes Il crime to keep open any shop or expose any property for sale on Sun day, and the exception In the statute to works of necessity or mercy does not apply to either of these otfenses but k an exception to the doing of secular business or labor; and we also call your attention to the fact that the so-ealled licenses issued under authority of the Common Council are not protection to any yiolaters of this statue, because, in the first place, the Common Council cannot license any one to violate State law, and In the second place, as you will observe by reading the license l issued, il, in express terms. states that il is subject to all of The laws of the State ef Connecticut, so that. il does not pufport to license any one to keep open shop oreXpose property for sale on Sun day, which is prohibited by the State law.
 Dated al Putnam, this 18th day of May 1908.
 Edgar NJ. Warner, Chester F. Child,
 C. D. sharpe, F. N. Perry, F. w
 Seward.
 Attache l to thelabove communication were nine affidayits relative to different stores in the city which were signed, one each by Chester F. Child, B. D. Gilbert and Warren Ames, and two each by F.. NJ. Warner, +. w. Perry, and C. D. Sharpe. The aflidavits were similar in form, of which the following is sample:
 |. Chester l.. Child, of Putnam, be- ing duly. sworn, depose and say, that on sunday, May 10. between i2 o'clock on Saturday night, May 9th, and l2 o'clock on sunday night, May 10th, Jo- seph Paris, Of the firm of Paris Bros, kepl open their shop and store, situated al 26 Main street, in Putnam, Gopnec- ticut, and then and there exposed cer- tain property, to wit, post cards, can dy, ice cream, and soda water for sale. "I know thsee facts because 1 accom- panied by E. D. Gilbert, of Putnam, he and | at the request of the Civic League of Putnam, saw said shop kept open, and said property so exposed for sale, and while we were present in said store we saw Joseph Paris actually make sales from said property so exposed. Dated at Putnam this 18th day of May, 1908.
 Subscribed and sworn to before me this
 18th day of May, 1908.
 Edgar NJ. Warner, Notary Public.
 To Edgar M.:Warner, Prest., Chester F.. child,i Sec'y, C. D. sharpe, F. w. Perry and F. W. Seward, representing themselves to be a committee of the Civic League, who have this day placed in my hanos certain affidavits and eyi- denee of violations of the so-cailed Sun day Law, with . request that 1 inquire after and make presentation or com plaint to the City Court of said viols- tions of law.
 First of all, wish to thank you for furnishing me the evidence that you nave, and so far as the evidence shows violations of the rules of the Police Committee of the city of Putnam, re- garding sales on Sunday, as adopted by the Common Council of said city, a prosecution will be brought al the next sitting of the City eoart.
 wish to cali your attention 10 the fact that you dc not ask for 2 rigid and strict enforcement Of the statute regard ing sunday sales. and wiii say that lfe only difference ln the position that you take and the position l take in this matter is, thas we draw the fine at different place. foa make 10 objection