Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1921-03-16

Close Sunday
Picture Sh0W
at PIatteUiHe
Proprietor Claims He Is
Being Prosecuted and
Asks Why Do Other
Places Run2''
Legal Fight In Prospect

Action against running q Sunday
picture show in Platteyille was begun
last Wednesday with the arrest of
William c. Tracy, proprietor of the
Gem picture show of that city. Com
plant was first made by the local
w. c. T. U. to District Attorney Glenn
entson and referred by him back to
thes city authorities. Last week
Sheriff R. P. Holmes made a formal
complaint and Mr. Tracy appeared be-
fore Justice Burrows of this city and
gave bonds for $500 to appear for
hearing March 18th.
The case involves violation OF
section 1895 of the statutes. This is
known commonly as blue law" as
it's rigidity is formal to severity. I'm
der its provisions not a single act can
be performed on Sunday that is not
done of necessity or charity. Picture
shows, baseball games, cigar stands,
newspaper stands, Sunday motor trips,
garages, confectionery stores, ETC., all
come under the ban.
Tracy pleads not guilty and will
stand jury trial He has retained
KopD & Brunckhorst and will fight
the charge. He says in effect. why
pick on me?"
District Attorney Clementson's let
ter to the Herald this week covers the
ground very thoroughly. Just where
is the line to be drawn and how Sc
verely shall the law be enforced? The
question is an interesting one and it
is fair surmise that the opinion of
the jury on the Tracy case will fully
reflect public opinion.
In Lancaster so far as running
shows are concerned the Sabbath is
observed On the other hand the con-
fectionery stores are open on Sunday
and so are the clothing stores. The
general opinion is that clothing stores
remain open to make more profits
but the local proprietors state that
such is not the case. They tell the
Herald reporter they will gladly close
, on Sunday as they like day of rest
as we'll as anybody does. They say
that the public is largely to blame
for their being open as the customers
neglect to do their buying during their
week and then drop in on Sunday
morning to doll up before going to
! church. others come in after church.
In any event the clothing stores are
open for at least a part of the day
but they claim they don't like it and
wish they could close. 1t seems that
the clothing men are not the Sabbath
profaners some people think they are
and they should be assisted in their
good intention by the public which is
largely to blame anyhow.
The restaurant and hotel men have
case claiming that they keep open
as a matter of necessity. Just how
far the public wants to crowd this
class when as a matter of fact near
ly everybody drops in on Sunday for
ice cream or goes motoring to some
neighboring town and has refresh
ments is question. The Herald is
in favor of not being too extreme.
There as also been a good deal of
complaint here and at Platteville over
hauling stock to the trains on Sun
day. The church gOers don't like it
and the ministers don't like it. Some
of the farmers haul right past the
church door while people are going to
worship. 1t looks bad to say the least
and as though the haulers might at
least go down the unfrequented streets
although the principle is the same and
a round about way of getting to the
depot is nothing more or less than
sop" to the feelings of the church
people Some farmers say it is neces-
sary to haul on Sunday in order to get
in first on the Monday market ahead
of the other fellow. As the other fell
low is probably "hep" to the same
idea nobody gains much. In any case
it looks as though Sunday hauling was
done to make more money and not as
matter of necessity or charity"
In any event if you buy ice. cream,
linen collars, gasoline, motor on Sun
day for pleasure, attend baseball
games, picture shows, or haul live
stock, in fact perform any act that
is not matter of charity or neces-
sity, you are violating section 1895 of
the statutes and just as liable and
guilty as William c. Tracy, proprie-
tor of the Gem picture show, Platte
vile, Grant county, Wis, and you
can't get away from 1t.
HADDTANE VICENSEC