Emmons County record. [volume] (Williamsport, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1884-current, 1920-02-26


ord appears some political advertis-
ing submitted by those opposed to the
repeal of the so-called "blue laws" at |
the presidential primary next month.
There are four laws to be voted up
on. The American Legion last fall
took a referendum vote of it's men,
bers as to whether or not to take
steps to have the measures voted upon |
by the people. The vote averaged six
ty to one for such action.
AS soon as the petitions were circu-
lated, signers secured and same filed,
the duties of the Legion as an organ
ization ceased. 1t is now up to the
people of North Dakota to decide the
matter for themselves. And the edi-
tor of the Record for one is glad that
such is the case.
We have no quarrel with any church
interests that are active in opposing
the measures. We would not be a |
party to undermining the strength of
the church. And we would not vote
for these new laws if we believed such
to bs the case. But we are not so
convinced.
If we study the laws in question:
The Sunday baseball law, for instance.
Sunday baseball is played all over
the state. The only thing, now we
lave to pass the hat for funds to sup
port a team: And the "cheap- John"
gets by for nothing. Receipts are
cut down, but the game 1ourishes.
And many good church members of
the various denominations MY be
found ct the games. All that is pro-
posed under the new law is permits
sion to legally charge those who see
the games. We believe such permits
sion only fair.
s. The cigarette bill: We aren't par
ticular admirers of the cigarette, but
cigarettes, cigars, the old pipe and
"chawing terbaccer" look alike to us
from legal standpoint. Many men
do want cigarettes, and the smoking
of them dosnt injure third innocent
party as is the case with the ''booze
fighter" Many men in North Dakota
feel that they were willingly fed or
cigarettes when they went forth tt
fight, and that a small faction of the
people of the state propose to prohibit
them from the same right now that
they are home.
The boxing commission bill is moi
particularly important. Boxing ex
hibitions are not particularly com
mon and frequent even in most of thu
other states of the union where tn.
same is legal. But we do know tina
circular letters have been sent out il
North Dakota over the signature O.
Elizabeth Preston Anderson that ar
misleading on this measure. An at
tempt is made to make the people be
lieve that laws prohibiting prize fgh
ing will be repealed. That is not SC
The new law will prohibit prize fight
just as much as the law now existing
Only 10-round boxing contests ar
proposed. And little acquaintanc
with boxing as science would be
mighty good thing for all persons
Boxing builds up the constitution NOR
than cigarettes will ever tear it dowr
Sunday amusements and moving
picture shows is the subject of tn
other measure. That, too, is a matte
of no great weight. It might be tn
means of injuring the attendance a
church. And it might not. An inter
esting speaker at church ought t.
draw as we'll as movie.
Generally, the Record man firml
believes that the churches will be
come stronger and more valuable i
equal ratio to the amount Of toEer
ance they show on the minor thing
that 60 to make up pleasure. Dane
ing and dance halls are far more ser
ious to the morals of the people tina
base ball games or boxing matche.
at least. Yet there are more youn
people dancing than there ara VIII
do not. Hence, the church official
that "mix' with the young folks, VIII
come down to tn common run of pee
pie rather than force the individus
to come up to their ideal Of thinkin
should be able to do the most goo.
AS far as the blue laws go, it's u
to the people now. If the most {
them are opposed to tn measures pr
posed, that ends it. The issue is NJ
particularly serious in itself. Mo.
Of the other states have these law
and the churches seem to be as stron
s thsre as here.
Fargo Forum: Ths man who say
"You see I don't take much intere'