Norwich bulletin., 1909-07-28
NO AMATEUR BASEBALL SUNDAY,
 SENATE REJECTS BILL. Twelve in Favor, Fifteen A9ainst- Sunday EAw Not 10 Be Changed.

Hartford, July 27.-Substitute for senate bill No, "A. concerning the ob- servance of Sunday, was the order of the day in the senate for 11.30, and it was taken up after recess. Demand for More Liberal Sunday.
 Senator Latimer said he had peti- tion from persons in his district against the so-called "Latimer Sunday bill" He did not think that any one man should be held responsible for the bill The bill is the unanimous report of the judiciary committee, consisting of eleven men of ordinary intelligence at least. He did not think that most of the petitioners against the bill had ever read it. The public interest man. ifested for a change in the law is much greater than it was two years ago. There is a general demand for a more liberal Sunday law. There is a strong sentiment in favor of a change without letting down the bars for what is known as the continental Sunday.
 Senator Fenn's Position.
 Senator Fenn said the bill is intend ed to legalize baseball playing on Sun day. The bill does not declare baseball per SC breach of the peace. He would vote against the bill.
 Senator Hurley said that Sunday was the only day the people had to have outdoor recreation.
 Senator Peck Opposed Bill
 Senator Peck said the argument of Senator Latimer was an able one, but 1t did not convince him to vote for the bill He had received petition from his constituents against the bill and he believed every signer of the petl- ton had full knowledge of the purport of the bill. He was opposed to the bill.
 Better Than Lettering.
 Senator Hurley said it was better to have men and boys attending game of baseball on Sunday than lettering on the streets.
 A Sociological Question. Senator Luther while opposed to the bill said he recognized the fact that it was an attempt to improve the pres ent conditions Facts will not bear out the statement that people have no time for baseball except on Sunday. The question of Sunday observance is complicated one. Every one of us does something on Sunday which is just as objectionable as what we consider vlo- lations of the Sunday lava The Sun day question must be readjusted. It is not religious question. It is so- biological question. There must be work on Sunday He would cheerfully vote for a bill that limited work to SIX days in the week. A majority of the names on petition which he had re- ceived asking him to vote against the bill were foreign. It is spirit of gain and a greedy spirit of gain which is back of the bill. He liked the defini- ton of Sunday in the bill. It is desira- ble that all boys should play ball, but not on Sundays.
 Senator Searls in Favor.
 Senator Searls said he favored the bill. He was brought up in the strict est Puritanical way His recreation on Sunday when he was boy was the reading Of the Bible or a religious book. The conditions which existed in the state in his boyhood and now are different They believed in religious freedom for themselves but not for others. The individual had no right which the church to which he be- longed was bound to respect. A dead church cannot do good to any soul The church is on trial today by the men who ask for more personal liberty. The bill recognizes the human con science. Any bill that is just must. recognize individual liberty. The bill. is in the line of individYal freedom where it does not interfe5e with the rights of others.
 An Amendmenu
 Senator Chase said he had changed his opinion in regard to the bill. He now favored it. He, however, offered an amendment to restrict the time for playing. games of sport on Sunday af- ternooh.
 The amendment was rejected by vote of g to Is.
 Senator Higgins in Opposition.
 Senator Latimer said the bill is wholly a benevolent and remedial measure.
 Senator Hurley repeated that he hoped the senate would not deny the right of the people to see sports on Sunday.
 Senator Silliman opposed the bin.
 Senator Higgins spoke in opposition to the bill. In this country the trend is towards the violation of the Sundays. They should pay attention to the Biblical command.
 Bill Declared Rejected. ,ts.
 An aye and nay vote was taken, re- sulting as follows: for the bill F, against 15, absent or not voting g.