Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1921-04-11
ny George f. Wise.
commonweai,b's Attorney.


written Exclusively for The Times
~ Dispatch.)
Inc following statement IL In
e vneed m, neither as an, an apology. AN ex-
neither personal nor political signil-
canoe In the slightest degree. IL lis
Inc esnression OF an earnest and
much mixed and misunde rstood sub
)ect, OF considerable public interest,
as recently manifested in scores OF
newspaper letters ard editorials. II
Is not Intended to be argurhentativc.
~ is written in the kindest split.
and II Is not written on behalf of any
ciass or creed, but for the bencit of
~! persons. OF every class and con-
dltlon. who have sincere interest In
Inc solution OF the questions involved
Therefore, 10 prevent my being in
any way misunderstood. will ask
every person who reads this TO read
commercially and rs a whole.
"So Sense nor Hcas0p."
beiorc touching upon the essential
prtncipies OF the sunday law and It's
enforcement, ! want TO say that. in
my Judgment. there is neither any
sense nor any renson In ruie that
p.rmltn the sale of gasoline and
ana prohibits the sale OF soft drinks.
nor IN 4 rule that permits some
places %. business to remain open on
sunday: and thereby get Il monopoly
" hHu ptncr nl1Ces
or Ike Kind to be closed on Sunday
nor in a rule that permits the we'll
,o-uo ct!zcn TO have Ice cream de-
h,verea 20 hin IN freezer on sun
haS and prevents his poorer neigh
Dor ana his children from having II
in "A cone or saucer
such results arc not only absurd
nut breed distrust OF and contempt
people
Thnsc results. where they arise. de-
'nahd correction, and prompt corrcc-
nidicuIe nnnishck Purpose.
such results should not, however
DC charged up TO the essnntla, prin-
cip!cs %, the law Itself. but tho
trouble liz that they are 20 charged
life OF the law are extinguishcd by
contempt and ridicuie.
because OF my respect for and de-
termination TO do all in my power.
n"th oinciatiy and as 4 private citi-
zen FOR the proper enforcement OF
law and order. without fenr or favor.
and absolutely regardless OF conse-
1uencen. GO long ms am in the line
o. huty. am cmDhasizing the fact
that 1t sometimes happens that a
good and necessary law is badly OK
pressed or vaguely and indefinitely
written and becomes distorted when
put into operation.
Whcn this occurs we cannot throw
the essential principles OF law and
order INFO the discard. but we can
retain az that IS vital and good and
serviceable to the public welfare by
making the law plain. and certain.
and reasonable. and applicab BILE 10 one
and all alike.
Prevents No Advancement.
/ hope no one will be mislod or
cSSnsidsr II paradoTieni when say
around which 80 much comment and
criticism have centcred, does not con-
vomiting amusement, recreation, di-
version, comfort nor the enjoyment
on sunday OF good things to eat. or
drink. or smoke.
1t does not cncroach upon liberty
OF conscience. and is in no sense n
matter OF religion. or religious OBJ
servance.
But II does do this: II recognizes
universally accepted fact laid down
by the highes, legal and physiological
authorities and proved by human ex-
pericnce for generations. for the law
IL by no means new one. that there
cessation from labor; that person
should not work all the t!mc-seven
days out of seven. Sunday, in Vir-
ginia and elsewhere in this country.
being the day universally observed
by most people as day of rest. the
Legislature OF Virginia fixed upon
that day for tho stated periodical rest
and cessation from labor required for
the common good: and, therefore. the
Virginia law on the subject is today
rs Ii has been for many years. sub
stantially simply this--thnt. except in
work OF necessity or charity. no per-
son. on sunday. shall labor ut his or
her trade or calling
Necessities Require Labor.
The furnishing OF necessities. of
course, requires labor at various
trades and callings. and the main
trouble with the enforcement of the
law is that there is no definition in
the law, as to what is a work OF
necessity" and what is not
Let us NOW sec IL the absurdities.
number OF lovely gifts were pre-
scented TO the bride. Refreshments
were served at IL O'Clock.
shower fpr nritc.