Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-05-17
Seventh Day Adventists Be.
fore Senate Committee.
DENOMINATION is UPHELD
K. c. Russell Denies Sect It Co.
Operating With Saloons.
FAVORS PERSONAL LIBERTY
Representative of the Secular
League Declares Measure Is
Strictly Religious One.

Opponents of the Johnston Sunday
rest bill poured verbal shot and shell
into its provisions at a hearing held this
afternoon before the subcommittee on
education and labor of the Senate District
committee.
*. c. Russell, representing the Seventh
Day Adventist denomination and secre-
tary of the Religious Liberty Association,
opened the attack
AT the outset l desire to answer some
or the attacks that have been made
against CIR position he said. 1T has
been said We are in league with the
saloon and in league with the Sunday
shows | want to say that as a de-
nomination we are in favor of temperance
and prohibition
Early in his remarks Mr. Russell re-
ferred to the bill as religious meas
ure."
DO you regard this as measure af-
tecting religious rights" Senator Works
asked
Yes, sir.
Il have not so considered it," remarked
the California senator.
Mr.. Russell Not Sustained.
Mr.. Russell maintained that all Sunday
legislation was religious
Have the courts sustained you in that
position?' Senator Pomerene questioned.
Some have not Mr.. Russell admitted.
DO you know of any courts that have
sustained you?" Senator Pomerene asked.
Il can't mention any now" Mr.. Rus
sell answ cred
The holdings are unanimously against
you" remarked Senator Johnston. author
of the bill.
In support Of his position that the
measure Is of a religious character Mr..
Russell said such legislation was based
on PRONUNCIATION of Charles ii.
THAT wasn't the first order on the
subject" commented Senator Johnston.
THE Ten Commandments gave the first
command
Nv Russell maintained that the OBJ
servance of a sabbath was an affair OF
! the heart and there should be no legis-
lation intervening.
Refers to Other Bills.
Mr. Russell called attention to SINH
lar measures proposed in Congress.
Here is bill proposing to have
Congress adopt the Decalogue as a
standard" he remarked. You say it
is a freak bill. but it is no more so
than this bill, when properly under
stood"
Senator Works remarked that the
speaker had objected to such legislation
that fixed some other day than Sunday
| as day Of rest. and asked for his rea-
sons.
Because it is an opening wedge for
similar restrictive legislation" Mr.: Rus
feet of Sunday legislation in the states"
How many states have Sunday laws?"
Senator Dillingham; asked.
"AH except California, l am sorry to
say" Mr.. Russell replied.
Calls It Religious Measure.
w. W. Prescott. also of the Seventh
Day Adventists. urged that this bill was
necessarily religious measure. because
it distinguished Sunday from any other
day and Sunday is religious day.
Suppose this bill simply prohibited a
circus performance or a base ball game
on Sunday. would you oppose it?' asked
Senator Curtis.
Il would oppose it because it recognizes
by Legislation one day as different from
another. 1 think all days should be
treated the same
Every day holiday?' queried Senator
Johnston.
No, sir" said Mr.. Prescott Il think
what is immoral or uncivl should be pro-
hibited. What is immoral or uncivil on
one day is the same on other days"
You oppose this legislation on gen
eral principles, not because it interferes
with your religious rights" Senator
Works asked.
Interferes With Others, He Says.
That is right" Mr.. Prescott do.
clared. But I want to say tina; ]
think this bill interferes even with
those who conscentiously observed the
first day of the week as sabbath
Without this legislation. he has a free
Will To observe the Sabbath as he
pleases. and as his conscience dictates
But as soon as you pass this bill you
interfere with his free will and make his
observance compulsory"
Suppose Wednesday was named as the
day of rest suggested Senator Pom
creme. Would YOU object to that?''
Il think | should have to-" replied Mr.
Prescott
Not on religious erounds?" suggested
Mr.. Works.
Certainly not"
Then because Sunday is. by coinci-
dence, named, because it will accommo-
GATE more people, you do object to this
bill on religious grounds" persisted Sena-
tor Pomerene
Don't Compel Men to Sleep.
Mr.. Prescott pointed out that this bill
had been urged on the ground of health.
Its just as essential to health that a
man should sleep. but you don't compel
him to- remarked Mr.. Prescott
I'VE limit the hours of labor" remark
cd Senator Johnson. referring evidently
TO the eight-hour day laws
I'VE do more than that" added Senator
Dillingham;. I'VE prohibit unnecessary
noise and such disturbances, to allow
people TO sleep"
Hyland Kirk of the Secular League
appeared also in opposition to the
measure. Asked as to the object Of the
Secular League. he remarked that it
aimed for the welfare of man
Would Work Hardship. on Poor.
This law condemns ITSELF" he re-
marked. 1T is sure to work hardship
on a class you may not think of-the
poorer classes. They get SO or 81 q
week. They have no refrigerators and
have to depend on the corner grocery
for food over Sunday. This bill would
work hardship on them.
This bill is clearly unconstitutional
II have been opposing legislation Of
this character for over twenty wears II
is therefore. fact that 1t has not an
pea led to a sufficient ma jority in Congress
to pass it
Called Religious Measure.
John D. Bradley. secretary of tho
Washington Secular League, argued
that the measure was definitely re-
ligious one.
The question which this measure |
presents above every other" he re-