The Ogden standard. [volume] (Ogden City, Utah) 1902-1910, 1909-08-21
SUNDAY CLOSING FARCE.
CBoise Evening Capitol NewsJ

vision which cannot meet with public
favor, tends 10 bring the law and It's
sponsors both into disfavor.
The only valid excuse for the cx-
istenco OF q Sunday closing law Is
that founded upon a health basis that
every person requires a season OF
rest in order 10 maintain a healthy
condition OF body and mind. or upon
the basis that a vast majority OF the
people having get aside a given day
as a day for cessation Of labors, have
right TO remain undisturbed
through the pursuit OF usual avoca.
tlons upoa such day OF the week by
others. The advocates OF this law
argue that certain amusements in
places where amusements are con.
Quoted as a regular business Interfere
with the proper observance OF this
day OF rest, Yet, recognizing certain
recreation as essential. some am
usements are permitted. as Sunday
baseball
Preventing sacred concert bv 4
famous body of singers and musicians
cannot be construed as harmful in
any manner. but on the contrary as
beneficial and eleyating, even If Civ
en- in a theater.
II Is not the intention TO complain
TO the county attorney. because, II he
believes that such concert would be
in violation OF the law. II is his duty
TO enforce that law and he has shown
remarkable consideration in giving ad-
vance notice of his determination.
But the fault is with the law itself,
which should be speedily amended so
as to permit innocent and instructive
amusements even on Sunday.
Perhaps the advocates OF Sunday
laws do not themselves desire 10 have
a law so drastic in It's terms; II
they do not 1t would be well for them
to take the lead in asking a modin-
cation OF the law, or they will run the
risk OF Fastening its entire appeal.
There are things which, perhaps,
should be prohibited on Sunday.
No one. for the sake OF amusement.
should have the right to moest or dis
turb others who desire to engage IN
religious worship at any hour of the
day; on the other hand none under the
guise of a desire for freedom from
disturbance In religious worship. has
lll' ll6uN W Dl tNtllN blutlS HUN tl-
Gacing and enjoying innocent recrea-.
tion or eleyating enjoyment elsewhere.
Fanoticism along these lines is what
makes It hard TO enforce restrictive
measures The hardest argument the
prohibitionist, or anti. license advocate
has to meet In advocating such mea-
sure under the new law of this state,
is clause in that law which seemingly
permits the going 10 an unreasonable
extreme.
The real motive behind the prohib
atory movement, is not TO attempt to
prohibit the consumption OF intoX-
icating liquors. por Sc, but to prevent
its legalized sale, TO take away from
It. the sanction of the Jaw. 10 prevent
the Haunting of the business before
the people. to remove temptation from
those too weak to resist temptation
yet not so far to their own best
good as to hunt a chance TO lose their
senses in partaking of intoXlcants.
The fight is first. against the saloon,
and second. against the bTothel, the
secret dive, the person who seeks by
subterfuge TO carry on. as a business,
that which would be prevented by
law.
The local option law. in an effort to
accomplish this purpose. has a clause
which makes IL a miSdcmeanor for
any person, whether engaged In such
practice as a business or not, or
for the purpose OF evading the law,
! 10 sell. furnish, deliver, give away,
or otherwise dispose of Intoxicating
| liquors of any kind in any prohibi-
tion territory" There is another sec.
| ton which provides that IF any per-
son violates the provisions" above
! outlined. and so concealS himself
| that he is not known. upon complaint
being made on oath before a justice
! Of the peace or probate judge that in
! toXicating liquors have been sold, Civ
/ en- away or otherwise disposed of in
! violation Of law, and that the per
son committing such offense concen'J
| himself In q house, room, booth en-
closure, or other place. or Is usiag
| therein a device or subtcrfugc in sell
| Ing, giving away. or othcrwi-c dispos-
| ing of such liquors II is the
| duty OF such Justice or Judge 10 is
sue forthwith warrant of arrest for
such unknown person Y and
Immediately place such warrant In
! the hands OF a constable or sheriff.
who shall proceed az once to the
house. room. booth. enclosure or other
place In which such violation of law
Is alleged TO have occurred, and arrest
all persons therein; and II such con-
stable or sheriff is refused admit
tance. he shall force an entrance
TX Y and. If necessary, break In
the door or other part thereof, and ar
rest all persons found therein"
Now. It may no more be the inten-
ton of the real advocates OF the pro.
hlbltion of the liquor business to per
nit an officer TO break down the door
OF a private residence 10 arrest a man
and his family In case he should be
serving wine Of hlo own raising. for
instance. to neighbor, than It was
their Intention TO prevent the giving
of a sacred concert on Sunday even.
ing because the most available place
FOR such concert happened TO be q
theatcr, but lnere are many persons
who believe the last law is Just AS sub
iect TO such a construction as the first
one. and II tends 10 bring the whole
law into dlsrepute. and throws upon
those who support tho real purpose oi
the law. the burden Of apologizinz
and explaining. and tends 10 produce
a sentiment whereby the laws are ig
| 4.~,,pI rnoIo co. th.g- -.