The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-06-22

The Custer Law and Sunday Labor.
Editor Virginian;
Sir--I am writing you this commu-
ntcauon calling your attention to Ger
tain phases OF an opinion" rendered
by the Commonwealth Attorney for
Norfolk City.
This opinion is with reference to
the new custer law. passed by the last
session of the Virginia Legislature
and effective the 18th of June, iJ1 6.
have not yet read this law.
shall consequently take the newspaper
report Of it as stating correctly the
proposition that the operation of tho
law in question is dependent in part
upon the general term, work of ne
Cessity"
This part OF the new law, according
ly is not concerned with enforcement
of the anti-lquor laws, effective later
on; neither is Il dependent on the
opinion" of those local officials whose
tenure OF Office is dependent upon tho
performance OF the duties OF office,
As | understand that part of III J
law relative to Sunday violations, en-
torcement of custer against defective
work of officials charged with en-
forcement of laws against Sunday la e.
Dor. is a matter that Is supervised by
q central State official
II this be the case then what neces-
sary Sunday labor will except officials
charged with the enforcement of laws
against Sunday labor, is a matter of
opinion not of local officials. but of the
central official whose duty it is to take
care that such laws are not neglected
by local officials.
>
variety of opinions must prevail and
what maybe Sunday labor in one l.
cality may not be Sunday labor in an
other. An example of this may be
voted in the case OF the city OF Ports
mouth, Virginia. just across tho river
from the city Of Norfolk. Portsmouth
allows no sale OF soft drinks, cigars,
and the like luxuries, on Sunday,
while Norfolk does The opinion OF
the Commonwealth Attorney herein
mentioned sanctions the sale OF such
Injuries by Norfolk merchants.
But | might mention here that this
Common eslth's Attorney seems to be
OF one color and acts an entirely diff
ferent' one. While the city of Ports
mouth has enforced violations of Sun
day labor in such manner as to
clearly Indicate that such enforce
ments create a healthy sentiment and
disposition Of law observance and en-
forcement in general, this Common
wealth's Attorney gives as a reason for
not enforcing laws against Sunday la
Dor, that due enforcement of laws
against gambling and violations OF H.
quOr laws VIII be made more difficult
Here are his own words; "A strict
Interpretation of the Sabbath law
would result only in bringing in dis
favor the strict and uacompromising
enforcement OF laws on the subjects
OF liquor, etc"
This is the first time ! have read of
laws being dependent upon non-en-
forcement of laws for the enforcement
of laws. ! have noted IL in the demon
STATIONS OF antithetical judgments by
false courts, but | have not read II
In so many plain words before | read
that crude sentence of that Common
wealth's Attorney"
But this Commonwealth Attorney
is not the only one who gives the evil
dence of insincere attitude toward
this custer law The suggestion has
been advanced. respecting the con
tingencY OF enforcement. that sacred
music may be considered Sunday la
Dor.
1t would be very difficult to picture
more evil ofiicial disposition than the
advancement Of such = ''scare crcws'