Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1919-07-21
THE SUNDAY LAW AGAIN


''The devil stands cross-leggsd" for
Alexandria. After having waited
patiently for scores Of years for a
tide of prosperity to appear in our
city, as soon as cur commercial in
terests began to assume q condition
for the better, ard at time when
thousands CT persons Nc-c turning
their eyes toward our city, first one
thing and then another is sprung
which materially retards the city's
growth About this time last sum-
nler, when twenty or thirty thous-
and soldiers were at Camp Humph-
rey's and when thousands visited
Alexandria daily. a ban was placed
upon the city, it being alleged that
our sanitary conditions were not of
aHnature to allow soldiers to take
the risk in eating and drinking
amcng rs. This barrier, however.
was rcSoved IN a few weeks, and
normal, conditions followed.
The demand for the strict enforce
ment of the Sunday law, like the
seventeen-ycar locust, has again
made its appearance, and several
parties were cited to appear in the
Police Court this morning to answer
the charge of keeping their places
of business open yesterday. The
cases were continued, probably in
definitely, as the alleged dclinquents
conduct lunch houses, which are re-
gardcd as ncccssaries.
The sentiment of large major
itN of Alexanirians is averse to the
strict enforcement of this law, be-
sides the prcyision-cxcept works of
nccessity-affords room for broad
construction of 4hc statute.
The City Council forty-odd years
ago adopted drastic Sunay law.
which, however. never was enforced
to the letter. Under its provisions
a lawyer who might study case
on Sunday could be fined.
A celebrated Irish barrister once
said: ''You cannot indict a COM
nlunity" An able lawyer of this
city. and one known throughout the
state, recently said there are times
in the history of every community
when certain laws cannot be en-
forced to the letter. A perusal of
the code of Alexandria vii! convince
any person that the lharrister is
right. For instance. one statute
makes it misdcmcanor for any
person tic leave 4 vehicle in q public
street over six hous. Another
makes it unlawful to repair a We
hiclc in the street In this day Of |
automobiles large; portion of The
community would be hailed into the
Police Court for Violation Of these
laws were attempts made to cnforc.
them. A man who stopped his auto
in the street and attempted to make
some minor repair is liable to a fire.
There is at present in our city
what may be termed q large float
inr population. composed of men
here and who virtually
have no homes. They rent rooms
and in many eases simply cots and
eat and drink where they please.
To clamp the Id down on every
species Of trade on Sundays would
be scricus mistake under existing
conditions. many believe.
Ice dealers. dealers in newspapers.
milk dealers. lunch houses. icemen
and many others arc Immune. as
their occupations are regarded as
Thousands Of residents went 10
Yesterday for the pur-
oosc &C enjoying in the capital city, :
what is Forbidden IL Virginia. not :
George Mason's BIZ! Of :
Rights ard tho action Of the heroes
# scvcnty-siN who fought and died
or Libyr;y.
Madame Rclard's plaintivc cNcla-t
nation when about to he bchcadeE
y French rcvolut;onists. who were
demanding Liberty, Is often quoted.
This noble woman. pointing TO
lay statue Of the goddess. eS-
laimcd, 90. Liberty! Liberty! what
rimcs arc committed IN thy name.
Ter words have come down the
ges, and are especially applicable
Il these days when certain PEOPLE
aculd deprive the world Of tobacco,
igars, eta. coffee; chocolate, am
tell IN not II Gath-hrtterEoiis.