Norwich bulletin., 1917-04-20
HOUSE SUSTAINS VETO SUNDAY BILL
Martin Sunday Bill Rejected by Vote of 156 to Pin
Concurrence With House, Senate Passes Bill to Close
Saloons Memorial Day-New Sunday Bill introduced
in the Senate
Especial to The Bulletin.


Hartford, April 1s--Rev. Robert
Dunlop, chaplain of the house in the
1915 session, offered the opening pray
er Immediately after Speaker Healey
called the house to order. Several re
ports were received and work on the
Calendar was under way when the or
der of the day was called at noon The
order was the act authorizing home
rule in towns having 10000 or more
inhabitants, which passed in the SEN
ate and house, and was vetoed by
Governor Holcomb.
Old New England Sabbath.
Mr.. Hall of New Milford spoke in
opposition to the measure as it had
no relation to the old New England
Sabbath, and he told in vivid terms
of those who made the Sabbath sacred
in old New England A lack of under
decay. Nowadays there is reasonable
recreation as can be seen by noting
the trolley cars and the beaches and
parks, devoid of baseball and the Cir
Gus tent or merry go-round. Much is
done illegally, and permitted, but it
would be wrong to 1egalize these
things that are permitted. He urged
loyalty to the governor in this as in
all matters relating to the state.
Martin Praised Governor.
Mr.. Martin of Orange said he re-
GREETED his position on. this bill, for he
heved Governor Holcomb to be the
best governor in the state. He ad-
vocated the passage of the bill and
did not consider that he was disloyal
to the governor or state. He said the
governor had the right of his opinion,
and so did the members of the general
assembly, and he asked that the bill
be judged on its merits. There are
over 100 900 men working in the state
on Sunday at present, by consent of
"a al Ia G ClaSSed
as a commercialization of the Sabbath,
but when baseball and like recreation
is being considered it is placed in the
commercial class. He believed that
in some places and not in others.
ought to be legalized, and this bill puts
the matter direct to the vote of the
people 1t is the people who ought to
as the speaker believed in a govern
ment by the people and by the people
and for the people. There should be
law that will be respected and not
violation of law that does not conform
to the wishes of the people in some
sections. He believed it would be
better for the young men to attend
moving pictures on Sunday rather than
hang out in drinking and gambling
places. He moved that the bill be
passed. the veto of the governor not
withstanding.
The Sabbath Defined.
Mr. Smith of Mansfield, the clergy
man member, asked the members to
forget his profession temporarily, as
his views on this matter might he con-
sidered radical. He said he was a
personal friend of the governor and
disliked to disagree with him. Mr.
Smith defined the Sabbath day as the
seventh day of the week, based on an
encyclopedia Interpretation of consid-
cradle length. and its gradual evolution
observed
Sunday. That the reading was tire
some to members was evident by the
lack of attention given to Mr.. Smith.
His speech helped carry the bill
during the reading of authorities one
ardent supporter of the bill declared:
Smiths reading from encyclopedia
and Bible will kill this bill deader than
place for a long sermon" For nearly
an hour he quoted biblical notes in sup
port of a more liberal Sunday.
Admiral CowIes' Hit
Mr.. Cowles of Pennington said:
This is an interesting discussion"
He said in reply to the statement that
clubs were dens of iniquity as used
spectacle, verging on extreme dull
ness.
Loyal to Principle.
Mr.. Fenton Of Willimantic said he
mad the highest esteem for the COVER
nor and was loyal to the governor and
state, but the matter under discussion
was a matter of honest opinion. He
voted for the bill as a matter of prin-
ciple, and he would prefer to be dis
loyal to the governor than to his own
principle, and therefore would vote to
sustain the bill.
Watt Changes.
Mr.. Watt of Sharon said the gov
arnOr quoted w
mitted recreation, that was not of the
speculative, money making order. He
aid not believe that the clergyman
member believed that if Jesus Christ
they would attend a baseball game or
moving picture show on Sunday, even
4 the reverend gentleman so inter
oreted the testament. Mr.. Watt said
unwisely. He said it was I'M
reasonable not to give all the towns
Ike privileges in regard to Sunday
observance, and he would vote agains.
he bill and in support of the COVER
ior's veto.
Bowers for Baseball.
Mr.. Bowers of Manchester told of
baseball being permitted in Manches-
er illegally and he wanted it legalized
md therefore favored the bill. he |
would prefer a measure that would |
include all towns, regardless of popu- |
alton.
MIR. Foord Favord.
Mr.. Foord of Stamford favored the |
passage of the bill on the ground that |
he people of the town he represented |
wanted the law, and hoped the bill |
would pass. He said there was no |
ceiling against the governor in this |
natter, as his opinion was respected, |
nd the legislators had opinions that |
we're perhaps worth while
Mr.. Rogers of Manchester.
Mr.. Rogers said he disIiked to. but
lie did move the previous question
which prevailed Mr.. Martin made the
losing argument, said the present law
vas joke, as the amusements and
ecreation must be held in public
HnFnUl 70