The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1911-03-10
Reports From Special Com.
mittees.

for the special com mittee regarding the Sun
day theater closing resolution:
To tn Mayor and Common Council of the City
of Owosso.
Gentlemen:
Your committee to whom was referred the
matter OF the closing of moving picture
theaters on Sunday reports az follows:
That at the meeting of this council January
Both last, according to the records OF the city
clerk. Alderman Washourn moved that The
council authorize the moving picture theaters
to remain open on Sunday, which motion pre-.
vailed. The only-law regarding the closing
OF the moving picture thesters In this city IL
the statute In regard TO Sunday observance
which has been on the statute books of this
merely provides that in case Of violation of
this character the offender shall be punished
by H. not exceeding $40 90 There Is no pro-
vision In the statute for any other or different
punishment; there Is no provision for imprison-
ment The Supreme Court OF this state In con
STRUNG that statute have declared that viola
TO arrest and that the statute was not
criminal statute. The only manner In which
the penalty can be collected from any person
who violates this statute Is by civil action for
court or jury determine. Manifestly, the
severity OF the penalty would depend to q great
extent on the attitude OF the public mind re.
garding the quest on of Sunday observance.
The matter OF Sunday observance was largely
disposed OF by the suits commenced by the
prosecuting attorney against certain base ball
satisfactorily to the prosecuting attorney and
no further effort has been made along those
lines We wish to make 1t clear that we do not
consider the men, who run their theatoriums
In this city on Sunday, in any sense of the
word criminals and think they are entitled to
know what the attitude OF the public is regard
ing the question OF opening their theatoriums
on Sunday. The motion OF Alderman Wash.
burn referred to was out OF order for the rea
son that the common council OF this city could
In no way abrogate any state law. The reso.u-
ton merely reflects the sentimt the
council. compose Of representative body Of
men, on the subject OF Sunday closing. Our
prompted by its regard for a large number OF
iaboring people who find little opportunity for
recreation on any other day OF the week. In
as much as the motion of Alderman Washburn
was entirely out OF order and the action OF the
council in passing that motion was OF no force
or effect whatever, we can see no reason for
recinding an action which Is already void.
Geo. @. Reineke,
John j. Mcdonald.
II was moved and supported that the report
be accepted and adopted. which prevailed,
ayes Mcdonald. Reineke. Wren. Clark. Brow n,
BRANDED, Conan:, Palmer Washburn, Chavey,
nays none.
Reports From Standing Com.
mtttees.
Aid. Washburn presented the following
report, wnicn was on motion adopted, ayes
Mcdonald, Reineke. Wren, Clark, brown.
BRANDED, Couant Palmer, Washburn, Chavey,
nays none:
To the Honorable Mayor and Councils:
Your committee to whom were referred the
several claims and accounts would respect
fully report favorably on the following and ask
the unanimous consent of this council that said
claims be allowed and the City Clerk instruct
ed to draw orders for the same.
FROM CONTINGENT FUND
Owosso Savings Bank......................sI 3b 90
A "A n