Good Friday Observance in New York
REGARDING the official observance of the Catholic fast day, Good Friday, in New York City, we note the following, in the New York Sun:— This is the form of the ordinance adopted by the board of aldermen on March 24, and approved by the mayor on March 30, as to the official or quasi-official observance of the religious fast of Good Friday:— “Resolved, That the heads of the several departments of the government of the city of New York be and they are hereby requested to close their respective offices on Good Friday, April 10, 1903, and all other offices not by law required to be kept open for the transaction of public business to be closed on said day.” Practically, except as prevented by State or federal statutes prohibiting the closing of public offices, banks, or courts to-day, Good Friday will be observed in New York by the general suspension of official business. In the field of trade and finance, except in banks and by transportation and telegraph companies, Good Friday will be observed, if not generally, at least in so many individual cases as greatly to diminish the volume and restrict the character of the business done. The observance of Good Friday by the churches will be more general than ever before, even religious denominations which formerly paid no heed to the fast joining in it. The solemnity of the fast will rest over the whole town, and profoundly influence the voluntary or involuntary conduct of the great mass of the citizens.