The Washington herald., 1911-05-27
HEPBURN SCORES
JOHNSTON BILL
Continued from Page One.

Adventists from the law. Mr.. Hepburn
asserted the legislation granted speciai
privileges to people who were members
OF religious societies.
More than half the world and more
than half the people in this city are not
members Of any religious society, SAID
he. This bill grants a special privilege
to those who are
Mr.. Hepburn gravely agreed 10 that
portion Of the bill making it unlawful
for any person to engage in circus or
sideshow on Sunday. When 1t came
to the exemption or sacred Concerts
however. he said:
THAT is too indefinite Who is to say
what is a sacred concert? A concert
that is sacred TO one person or one class
of persons Is not sacred to another. l
adhere to the tenets of a religious BODY
which does not believe in sacred con-
certs or any other concerts on the Sab
bath day, yet this bill selects a class OF
persons described in indefinite phrase,
who may. under the gutse OF what they
may term a sacred concert be exempted
from the provisions of the proposed law
What il called sacred concert Is as
offensive TO the Society of Friends. COM
monty known as Quakers. as would be
anv other violation of the sanctity OF
that day
The Idaho Senator took a fling at the
provision of the bill permitting the sale
Of newspap pers, periodicals, cigars, drugs
mineral waters. milk and other commod-
tiles. by saying that IL meant merely the
keeping ouen Of places OF business WHICH
were not necessary.
Smokers Have Privilege.
why should a cigar store be exempt
ed from the provisions of this act!
shouted the Senator. rs there any NOR
al principle involved? Must men have
cigars on the instant when they feel ike
smoking?'
Senator Heyburn said that Congress, II
II took the Sunday rest bill seriously hao
been anticipated in the proposal 10 cut
off the mail service on the Sabpath' ana
proceeded to make few sarcasuc rei-
erences at the expense Of Postmaster
General Hitchcock.
He asserted that he supposed the fact
that the Sunday mail service had been
cut off in Washington and elsewhere
was accounting for the obliteration of
the deficiency in the Post-office Depart
ment.
"a reduction of one-seventh would
more than account for the 100000 def
cit which has been wiped out" he said.
"Of course the people pay for 1t. l
suppose that II they would cut of mail
deliveries on two or three more days we
would not have any expense in connec-
ton with-the Post-office Department
other than the payment OF the salaries
Of the officers This is subject OF con-
siderable interest to me-much more IN
terest than this bill.
Senator Gallinger protested that the
sneaker was inaccurate, and tnat whlle
some deliveries were cut OF. post-oHlces
were open on Sunday almost everywhere
in the country. ~
Senator Heyburn came back with the
contention that the service of the car
riers had been reduced at the expense
of the people. He said he knew OF no la"
authorizing the change to be made; that
he had looked on with astonishment al
the move of the Postmaster General
Some one should be called to accoun'
for 1t by Congress" he continued. No
man has the right to set himseit up as
the moral standard Of all the com
munity."
Guard Own MOraH.
Ds,,,,,,,, his discourse on the broad
meaning Of the bill. senator heyout"
said:
Every man, SO 1ar Us pei Sooi N
that do not include any acts OF lawiess-
noss are concerned. should be guardian
Of his own morals. 1t was never IN
tended that the law should lay down the
rifles that should constitute good man.
and say that all men must live up 10
those rules.
'"It is the sort of legislation abandoned
soon after we became an organized gov
ernment-legislation that resulted IN
whipping people at the tall OF cart
placing them in stocks. branding them
upon the hand-under which some per
son or coterie of persons undertake 70
set themselves up as the censors OF tne
morals of the people. l thought tha'
age had passed.
This bill, 1 believe. does not cove,
baseball" said Senator Hepburn.
wonder why? 1 wonder that this angus,
body should have omitted the mention o'
pastirne Of which many OF its mem
bers. are SO fond There is no provision
here against baseball, football or eon
Golf could hardly be termed renelou,
exercise, but it affords ample opportunl.s
for meditation as the players. pass ove,
the golf links, and It may oe' IN u.a
uay II performs some good, but II snouie