Talk About Russia by S. B. H.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 25, 1912

"Talk About Russia"

By S. B. H.

As an illustration of the foolishness of Sunday laws the following from the New York World of Jan. 15, 1912, anent the “technical violation” of the law, is of much interest:—

“‘Talk about Russia!’ disgustedly exclaimed Magistrate House in the Jefferson Market court yesterday. ‘If anybody asks you if there is a worse place than Russia just tell them New York City.’”

“Plainly the magistrate was angered by two arrests for technical violation of the sabbath law. He waved William Stuckburg out of court, saying:—

“‘You are discharged, sir, honorably discharged, and I regret that such a blundering policeman should have put you to this inconvenience and humiliation.’”

“Stuckburg, No. 103 Prospect St., Brooklyn, N. Y., has been a driver for the C. E. Matthews furniture house for thirteen years. Patrolman George Harfst of the Macdougal Street station arrested him while he was carting ten desks from a warehouse to the Equitable Life Assurance Society’s new offices. Harfst charged that Stuckburg was violating the sabbath law, which regulates labor on Sunday, in that he was doing work ‘neither necessary nor charitable.’”

“‘You knew that the Equitable’s home was burned the other day, that they had to get new offices, and that this man was taking those desks there, didn’t you?’ asked the magistrate.”

“‘Yes, your honor.’”

“‘You know there are thousands upon thousands of people in this country dependent upon the Equitable carrying on its business without delay, do you not?’ persisted the court.”

“‘Yes, your honor.’”

“‘You must know that it is absolutely necessary for them to get their new offices open as soon as possible, and yet you say that it was not necessary for this man to be moving desks there to-day. If some of you policemen used more judgment, there wouldn’t be so many foolish arrests made.’”

“‘Exit Stuckburg with all honor.

“The very next case further vexed Mr. House. Patrolman John Ryan of the West Twentieth Street station arraigned Timothy Jordan, of Hoboken, charging that he was driving a wagon-load of coal—four tons—in violation of the sabbath law, ‘it being neither necessary nor charitable.’

“‘What!’ exclaimed Magistrate House. ‘Neither necessary nor charitable to deliver coal in this cold weather? Officer, don’t you know that this is the coldest weather we have had in this city in eight years? Don’t you know that the streets have been so slippery during the last few days that it has been almost impossible to make deliveries? Where was he taking this coal?’”

“‘To the Hoffman House,’ answered Ryan.”

“‘Carting coal to a hotel in weather like this you say is unnecessary? What do you think would happen to the guests in that hotel if the hotel couldn’t get coal to keep them warm?’”

“Then Mr. House compared this city unfavorably with tyrannical Russia, and asked:—

“‘Did you make this arrest on your own volition or under orders?’”

“‘I acted under orders from my captain.’”

“‘Well, who is it that runs the Sunday-school in your precinct?’ asked Magistrate House.”

“‘My captain, sir, is Captain Hussey,’ said Ryan.”

“‘Take my compliments to Captain Hussey, and tell him that I suggest that he put his policemen to better use than making foolish arrests for violation of the sabbath. Such ridiculous arrests I never heard of. This situation should be called to the attention of the police commissioner.’”

“The magistrate discharged Jordan, honorably, too, and expressed regret that he should have been humiliated.”

We do not believe that the magistrate was justified in reprimanding the policemen under the circumstances. The policemen were confronted with a law upon the statute-books of the city, and according to National Reform ethics it was their bounden duty to arrest for violation of the same. The trouble was with the foolish law, prohibiting on Sunday that which is allowable upon any other day of the week. It would have been proper for the judge to find fault with the law which is altogether an unnatural and an unusual law so far as the principles of justice are concerned. It were well if this circumstance could be brought to the notice of all who favor Sunday legislation, that from it they might learn the lesson which it contains.

S. B. H.