The citizen., 1911-03-10
Blue Laws Denounced by Father
Kane.

Unfavorable comment by most of the
citizens of the city in regard to theenforce-
ment of the old statute which prohibits
the sale of all commodities except ice.
| milk and drugs are heard in all sections
OF this city and public places, and severe
condemnation is heaped on those who
appeared before the grand Jury relative to
the enforcement OF the laws passed more
than century ago and have been dead
until resurrected by some newcomers from
foreign states. The reporter of THE CIrI-
ZEN has enterview many business men.
also private citizens, and nearly all con-
denim the action of the grand iurv, and
many state it would have been much more
to their credit TO have made closer in
quires TO other matters much more hurt
iul, than the supply. OF the poor with bread
and meat on Sunday, who are unable to
purchase ice, to preserve the latter article
Rev. w. ]. Kane, pastor Of ST. Johns
Catholic church. IN answer to a question
said; | am sure it will be mistake if this
old law is enforced. Frederick he said is
suffering from a surplus ofmoralists. The
sentiments Of all sections Of MARYLAND in
regard to this city are that we are vet in
our childhood. He states further q
had occasion reosfk N to talk with promi-
nent real estate HS'h in Baltimore in re-
gard to the purchase Of some property in
Frederick. He told me he would not
touch an inch of IT. When asked him
why, he replied that Frederick was not
yet awake. told him that they were
lining up, to which he replied that would
have to show him. With this opinion
prevailing, the enforcement of the Blue
Laws would put us about 100 years back.
There is certain element of conserva-
tive progressiveness noticeable in Fred
erick- but the rigid enforcement of these
laws will place us in ridiculous position
in the eyes OF our neighbors. | do not
want it to be understood that am not in
favor of the proper keeping of the Sunday.
because | am heartily in favor of it. But
| consider that this law has outived its
usefulness. The whole situation may be
summed up in the principle, The Sab
bath was made for man, not man for the
Sabbath A man who labors hard for
SIX days in the week, is entitled to some
legitimate recreation on Sunday which is
not contrary to Gods law.
"We often hear people depIore the fact
that men are lost to the church. II the |
conception of Christianity as laid down in
the Blue Laws is the true one, no wonder
they are lost. Christianity inStillS Joy and |
gladness in the heart and does not expect
man to go around with long face and |
Lam holierthan-thou air. We all know |
that ideness is a pregnant source of sin. |
How much better is it to let him have le- |
gltlmate recreation after having attended |
divine worship on Sunday than to spend |
1t in idleness. Why should they allow |
the milk dealers to sell milk? If it is a sin |
to sell other things. is it not wrong 10 sell |
milk? Does the wrong lie in the selling or |
III some other part of the transaction?
There are men in Frederick who flaunt |
their opinions of right and wrong who are
not sufficiently trained in theology to give |
an opinion. Part of the Sabbath should |
be given to Gods service and portion |
NAV be spent in legitimate recreation to |
refresh themselves for the coming weeks |
labor.
at is impossible to legislate the morals
of men. Their zeal for reform could be |
directed at other evils which are staring |
them in the face and which are far more |
violations of the law of God and man than
the enforcement of Blue Laws
People throw up their hands in horror
at the idea OF taking chances at sales and
elsewhere, yet right under their very noses
there is gambling going on in its worst
form. Children IN their teens are seen on
the streets at late hours of the night
Why don't these people use their zeal in
urging the passage of a curfew law?
There are other very apparent violations
OF the statutes which are not prosecuted
81 was tod by detective once that one
of the worst holes he had ever seen was
in Frederick. This zeal against Sunday
selling might be better expended in com
batting divorce and race suicide, two prob
lens that are staring every community in
the face. The enforcement of these laws
will develop hypocrisy and the violation
of law. lfmen cannot have a legitimate
recreation by law, they will take it any
way, and hence will violate law. think |
the enforcement of these laws will be a
fatal mistake to our city and want to do |
all that | can to let the people have a
means for legitimate recreation on the |
Sabbath"