Norwich bulletin., 1909-03-15

As a preliminary to the hearing on the proposed Sunday law before the judiciary committee at Hartford on Wednesday, Representative McKachins 2 invited a number of business and clergymen to meet him at the select mems rooms on Saturday afternoon. The object of the meeting was to get an expression of opinion front intersst- ed parties SO that the representatives of this town will have an intelligent clue as to the desires of the citizens of Putnam on the matter Of Sunday leg islation and be enabled to state such things as they could learn to the leg islature if called upon to do so.
 There was only a small number at the eting-about twenty dye-bu what 1t lacked in numbers was com pensated for by the decided views ex- pressed by those in attendance.
 T ( talks was p ain a. to the point and the fact that stood out above all others was that the residents of this city are smarting under the restric- tioHs of the present Sunday law wien is rigidly enforced in Putnam and they want some degree of relief. They are not looking for, nor do they want a wide open Sunday, but then represen- tatives at the meeting were not back ward In expressing their feelings to the effect that they were wholly dis
 Sick and tired of the present law, naturally the arguments were not all on one side but those in favor of the present law were in the minority. Rev. J. R, Stubhert, of the Baptist church and Rev. John Van den Noort of St Msry's church were strong in their de- fense of the present law; Rev. John Walker of St. Phillips church said that while he did not believe in Sun day liberties. of the nature desired, as a principle, he did think that local op- ton should be allowed in deciding the question.
 F. W. Seward was made chairman of the meeting and Attorney Huber D. Card, clerk.
 ''that the citizens of Putnam are in favor of a more liberal Sunday law M. M. Dwyer seconding. The doctor said that he did not think there was any harm in drinking a glass of soda on Sunday or buying candy or a cigar. Neither am in favor of a wide open Sunday. or. such a Sunday as has and Seventh Day Baptists."
 What kind of stores would you ai- low to be open, asked MT. Vander Noort"
 "Ths stores that sell ice cream candy, soda and cigars" replied the doctor and continuing l am in favor of giving the poor man an equal chance with the rich in this matter; all cannot afford to have ice cream brought to their homes on Sat urday or have a soda fountain in their house for Sunday use"
 Father Vanden Noort stated that he believed the Sunday laws should bf strictly observed, or else we will soon have as open Sunday as that ot Europe. T fear" he said that one excess will lead to another" He was not in favor of Sunday baseball or many of the other privileges that would be allowed under the new law
 Rev. 11r. Stubbert the next speaker stated that he was in accord with the views of FT. Yanden Noort.
 "Are we a Christian Nation or 8 Jewish Nation," asked MT. Stuhbert. Are we going to observe the day as Christ dld or are we going to have a European Sunday, all tending church in the morning and giving the re- nainder of the day to the devil2'
 He characterized Sunday baseball as one of the most dissipating forms of Sunday amusement that called out the rahbls.
 MT. Stubbert did concede that he was not in favor of the clause in the present Sunday law favoring the Jews the Seventh Day Beptists or other de- nominations that keep Saturday as the Sabbath day.
 Richard German. George E. Dresser and ex- Mayor L. H. Fuller talked in favor of a more liberal law. MT. Cor man stated that for thirty or forty years the stores were allowed to open Sundays and the business had been run in a clean, quiet and orderly way Then few men disagreed with an- other few men. and the present in- tolerable condition was brought about Mir. German was positively opposed to Sunday baseball or other like priNi- leges but he did believe the people were entitled to more privileges.
 MT. Dresser talked along lines with special reference to his business as d druggist and gave some facts that were of special interest He did moi believe in extreme restriction or toe broad privileges and thought that some concessions should be made on Sunday liberties.
 The debate at times grew strenuous and the gentlemen present evidently said some things they, have been saw ing up for just such an opportunity as that presented.
 The vote when taken was strongly in favor of more liberal law. As one man stated 1t after the meeting, ''We are not looking for a Sunday Coney Island in Putnam, neither do we want to live under blue law regulations"
 "A man can be just as good Chris tian when he can buy soda, ice cream or ciPars on Sunday and perhaps more