A Sunday Liquor Bill

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · May 1, 1913

A Sunday Liquor Bill

The following letter appeared in the New York Times of April 8:—

“To the Editor of the New York Times.

“In discussing the Duhamel bill, which proposes to close the saloons of New York City ‘during church hours on Sunday,’ it does not seem to have occurred to you and your correspondent, Francis Grey, that this proposed legislation is so plainly religious that it has no place among civil laws. Why should the saloons be closed during ‘the hours of public worship’ and allowed to be open the remaining portion of the day? Is not such legislation directly in the interest of the church, and only indirectly and very remotely in the interests of temperance? and is the church willing to legalize the sale of liquor the remainder of the day, provided saloons shall be closed ‘during the hours of church services’?”

“This bill establishes a dangerous precedent, and opens the way for an indefinite amount of legislation to protect Sunday and the churches. It will be much better for all concerned if the legislature will confine its activities to the civil sphere. W. W. PRESCOTT,

“Secretary Religious Liberty Association.

“Washington, D. C., April 4, 1913.”