Proposed National Sunday Laws

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 13, 1908

Proposed National Sunday Laws

THE prominence given to Sunday thus far in the first session of the sixtieth Congress is something unprecedented, and is full of meaning. The advocates of Sunday legislation, like the importunate widow, are unceasing in their importunities; and it should not be a matter of surprise if Congress, like the “unjust judge,” should say to itself, “Because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest she wear me out by her continual coming.” For the benefit of our readers who may wish to preserve them, we give below the six bills that have thus far been introduced:—

A Bill (H. R. 4929)

Prohibiting labor on buildings, and so forth, in the District of Columbia on the Sabbath day.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That no labor in constructing buildings, or railroads, or hauling material therefor, shall be permitted in the District of Columbia on the Sabbath day.

SEC. 2.—That any person who permits such labor to be performed on his property, or who shall perform in any way such labor as is described in Sec. 1 of this Act, shall be fined not less than twenty-five dollars nor more than five hundred dollars. That all laws and clauses of laws in conflict with this Act are hereby repealed.

A Bill (H. R. 4897)

To further protect the first day of the week as a day of rest in the District of Columbia.

Whereas, There has recently been an increase not only of traffic, but also hard labor on Sunday in the national capital, including the public filling and driving of dirt carts, to the great offense of Christian and humane citizens; and—

Whereas, The President has been appealed to by philanthropic societies of the city to suppress this Sunday toil ordered by contractors for government work and others, and has regretfully said that there is no law that would enable him to do so; and—

Whereas, The following bill has been twice approved in previous Congresses by the Commissioners of the District of Columbia: Therefore—

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That it shall not be lawful for any person to keep open any place of business or maintain a stand for the sale of any article or articles of profit during Sunday, excepting vendors of books and newspapers, and apothecaries for the dispensing of medicines, and undertakers for the purpose of providing for the dead, or others for the purpose of charity or necessity; nor shall any public playing of football or baseball or any other kind of playing, sports, pastimes, or diversions disturbing the peace and quiet of the day, be practised by any person or persons within the District of Columbia on Sunday; nor shall any building operations or work upon railroad construction be lawful upon said day; and for any violation of this Act the person offending shall for each offense be liable to a fine of not less than five dollars nor more than fifty dollars, and in the case of corporations there shall be a like fine for every person employed in violation of this Act laid upon the corporation offending.

SEC. 2.—That it shall be a sufficient defense to a prosecution for labor on the first day of the week that the defendant uniformly keeps another day of the week as a day of rest, and that the labor complained of was done in such a manner as not to interrupt or disturb other persons in observing the first day of the week as a day of rest. This Act shall not be construed to prevent the sale of refreshments other than malt or spirituous liquors, or to prevent the sale of malt and spirituous liquors as now provided by the law, or tobacco, cigars, railroad and steamboat tickets, or the collection and delivery of baggage.

A Bill (S. 1519)

To prevent Sunday banking in post-offices in the handling of money-orders and registered letters.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the issuing and paying of money-orders, and the registering of letters and delivery of registered mail on Sundays, is hereby prohibited in the mail service of the United States.

A Bill (H. R. 13471)

Prohibiting work in the District of Columbia on the first day of the week, commonly called Sunday.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That every person who shall in the District of Columbia either labor himself or compel or permit his apprentice, servant, employee, or any other person under his charge or control to labor or perform any work other than the household affairs of daily necessity or other work of necessity or charity, or who shall in said District expose to sale any goods, wares, or merchandise, or keep open any shop, store, tent, or booth where goods, wares, or merchandise are exposed for sale, on the first day of the week, commonly called Sunday, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and shall upon conviction be fined not exceeding fifty dollars.

A Bill (H. R. 15239)

Requiring certain places of business in the District of Columbia to be closed on Sunday.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That it shall be unlawful for any person in the District of Columbia to sell or to offer for sale, or to keep open any place of business for the sale or delivery of, any groceries, or meats, or vegetables, or other provisions on Sunday, except that from the first day of June until the first day of October meats sold prior to Sunday may be delivered at any time before ten o’clock of the morning of that day: Provided, That nothing in this Act shall prevent the sale of fruit at fruit stands and the regular business of restaurants and hotels. Any person who shall violate the provisions of this Act shall, on conviction thereof, be punished by a fine of not less than twenty-five dollars nor more than fifty dollars for the first offense, and for each subsequent offense by a fine of not less than fifty dollars nor more than one hundred dollars, or by imprisonment in the jail of the District of Columbia for a period of not less than one month nor more than three months, or by both fine and imprisonment, in the discretion of the court.

SEC. 2.—That all prosecutions for violations of this Act shall be in the police court of the District of Columbia and in the name of the District of Columbia.

The last-named bill is identical with Senate Bill No. 3940.