Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1920-12-10
Sunday Law Ruling Given By
Armstrong.

Baltimore Sun of Sunday.
Sunday entertainments and gatherings,
promoted for the intellectual, moral and
cultural Improvement of the community.
not for the financial benefit of persons or
corporations, and which do not interfere
with religious worship. are not unlawful
and may not be interferred with.
This is the substance Of an opinion pre-
pared by Attorney General Alexander Arm
strong in responce to request from Police
Commissioner Charles d. Gather for an
Interpretation of the socalled blue laws
in their application to entertainments and
meetings held on Sunday in the interest Of
charity and other community matters and
at which collections are frequently taken.
The Attorney General says:
II the real purpose of the meeting is de-
votional, inspirational. educational, cul-
tural or charitable, and tends to inspire
and improve those attending the same.
and to promote some cause identified with
the general welfare and uplift Of the com
munity, feel that such meeting may be
held on the Sabbath day without any in
fraction Of law A gathering in the inter-
est OF charity must. Of course, contemplate
the relief of the distressed or needy and be
of character which conforms to the spirit
of the day.
In discussing the question. the Attorney
General reviewed decisions of courts in
several cases involving an Interpretation
Of the Sabbath laws He calls attention
to the fact. however, that from the finding
Of jury there is no appeal and adds;
feel that am justified in considering
not merely the statutes of the State and
the construction placed thereon by courts.
but also the attitude Of juries toward them
| in the past and the probable interpreta-
tons thereof that will be adopted by juries
| in the future. # would be futile for me 10
advise you TO order arrests when there is
little. il any. possibility Of conviction Such
course, without accomplishing any sub
stantial results, would tend TO bring into
disrepute both the law and its enforcing Off
Gals. With these thoughts in mind, | de-
sire now to address myself more definitely
to the matter which you have presented
to me.
Sunday is meant to be day Of religious
observance and of rest and cessation from
labor. The rest contemplated would not
at this time. in my judgment, he construed
to mean physical and mental inaction.
Idleness begets mischief. Use Of certain
hours of the Sabbath day for the intellec-
tual, moral and cultural improvement Of
the community. so far as II does not con-
fiict with the religious ceremonies Of the
day, tends not only to improve the indi.
vidual, but to develop a finer citizenship.
Il is the purpose underlying and respon-
sible for meetings held in theatres, hall;
or other buildings on Sunday and the prin
cipal end TO be accomplished thereby
which. in my judment. determine their
legality or illeealty II this purpose is 9
purely commercial one-if its ultimate
end is to bring financial benefit. eithe
personal or corporate, to those responsible
! therefor. meetings held in pursuance there
Of on the Sabbath day are unlawful.
So far as the prohibition Of bodily labo
I on Sunday is concerned. distinction is mad,
on the mental attitude Of those engaged il
; the entertainments which come up to the de
> scription or definition Of intellectual, mora
and cultural. II the persons engaged DE-