Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1911-02-14
TO F|CHT AGAINST
 SUNDAY BASEBALL Proposed Law in Pulaski County Is Strongly Con-
 demned by Ministers.
THE INITIAL SERMON
Game Warden Rescues Fish--Charge Against Seed Oil Men-Want
 Coal Law Repealed.
is quIcK'y dDso'peo' cives Relief at Once.

Little Rock, Feb. 13.-The Minis terial Alliance of Little Rock is mak- ing a fight against the bill introduc- ed by Representative w. c. Faucette, of Argenta, providing that the ques- ton of permitting professional base ball on Sunday shall be submitted to vote of the people of Pulaski coun- ty. There is a large element in the city, many among the best people of the city and state, who are in favor of Sunday ball, and who claim that to be the only means whereby Little Rock can expect to secure berth again in the Southern League. The ministers, however, are determined that the bill shall not pass if they can prevent it, and the crusade was started Sunday by Rev. John Van Lear, pastor of the First Presbyter ian church, and president of the AL liance, who preached a strong ser- mon against the proposed desecration of the day. His sermon was not pur- itanical and impassioned, but logi- cal plea for the observance of the Fourth Commandment He condemn ed the bill as class legislation, as it would chiefly benefit the profession al baseball player, the owners of clubs, hotels, ball parks, concessions and street railways. This kind of law breeds contempt for law, under mines Democracy and gives Socialism a justification of it's existence. It would give the professional baseball player a chance to pursue gainful occupation on Sunday. The proposi- ton for playing in a fixed enclosure which would be discrimination against the city or country boy who would like to play baseball for amusement.
 The promoters, who probably thought themselves fair, would not agree to an amendment to play with out an inclosure of any kind. The popular election provided is the most serious objection to the proposed law as it is un-American, declared the l speaker, to settle any question of re- llgion and faith at the ballot box. As well might the other mine command ments be submitted to the people as 10 vote down the spirit of the fourth. II would be unfortunate for any community to submit to the ballot box question of conscience in which rrotestant, Catholic and Jew, who are getting along we'll socially and com mercially, should be expected to vote. II could result only in disorder, dis cord and turmoil. The Legislature, sald he, is the proper place to settle It. Carried to it's final analysis, Sun oay ball would lead to a general wide open sentiment, to wide open saloons, sunday picture shows, Sunday thea
 
 'ers and other worldly amusements on 'ue Sabbath day. He declared that ue was not so narrow as to condemn " man who favors Sunday ball, but ~ pleaded only for daiNness. and 'uat the church, and the good men Alu women who observe Sunday, suaii nave at least one day in the 'eek' while commercial and worldly ,a'erests have six. He declared that
 ls not for the interests of the
 Alngman that he should be robbed one day of rest, and advocated as
 solatlon of the problem Saturday - holiday, a bill for which is pend- us Tn the Legislature.