Religious Legislation in New England and New York by J. E. Jayne

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 20, 1913

Religious Legislation in New England and New York

By J. E. Jayne

THE regulation of Sunday observance is a live issue in New England and New York. In Connecticut Senator Purcell has introduced a bill forbidding all secular labor, works of necessity and mercy excepted, and providing that by a majority vote a town, borough, or city may designate one place within its borders where necessities may be sold. Each violation may be punished by a fine of not more than one hundred dollars or an imprisonment not exceeding sixty days, or both.

In Maine two years ago a bill failed in such a manner as to make necessary its consideration by the present legislature. The bill sought to slightly liberalize the existing Sunday law. A hearing was granted before the joint committee on legal affairs, which has reported that it ought not to pass.

In Massachusetts three bills have been introduced into the house seeking to somewhat liberalize the existing Sunday statutes to permit playing baseball and certain other games under restrictions of various sorts. One of these bills proposes to submit the question to a vote in any city or town where one hundred qualified voters so petition, and then to abide by the result indicated by a majority of the votes cast.

Two other bills have been introduced seeking to enforce one day’s rest in seven. One of these provides that a man may not work on Sunday without having rested within the previous six days for a period of not less than twenty-four consecutive hours, and that every employer of labor shall post conspicuously on his premises a list of employees who work on Sunday, and shall designate the day of rest for each, and shall file a copy of this list with the State board of labor and industries, and promptly inform the board of any changes made in the list. Provision is also made for a time-book containing names and addresses of all employees, and the hours worked by each of them in each day.

In New Hampshire two bills have been introduced in the house seeking the more strict observance of Sunday, especially with reference to hunting on that day; also, one bill seeking to permit the playing of amateur baseball, under certain restrictions.

In New York State Senator Roosevelt has introduced two bills, one of which seeks to amend the labor law, and the other to amend the penal law, in relation to labor of more than six days in any one week. Senator Boylan has introduced a bill restricting bootblacks, and Senator Stillwell has introduced another bill restricting vaudeville and moving pictures. The latter measure is so worded that if it becomes law as at present drawn, it will be impossible to exhibit a picture or a chart at a meeting on Sunday, provided “an admission fee is charged directly or by subterfuge.” In the assembly, four bills have been introduced seeking to permit the playing of certain games and to provide for certain amusements on Sunday, under restrictions of various kinds, also, to allow certain dealers greater liberty in disposing of their wares on Sunday. Two bills have been introduced seeking to authorize the governing bodies of cities of the first class to enact legislation that shall, within their limits, supersede and replace the existing State Sunday statutes. Another bill has been introduced seeking to further restrict the Sunday work of barbers.

In Vermont Senator Barber has introduced a bill to further regulate Sunday sales.

In Rhode Island the legislature is not in session. Thus it will be noted that in every State within our territory wherein a legislature is in session, Sunday legislation is receiving attention. To date, public hearings before committees have been granted in the States of Maine, New Hampshire, and New York. These hearings have, as usual, been besieged by representatives of Protestant churches, demanding the preservation of existing Sunday laws and the enactment of more stringent statutes. At such times our views have been given respectful attention. At a hearing held before a committee for the assembly in New York, on the fifth instant, there was granted the most perfect liberty to state the fundamental principles involved in:

this kind of legislation, and the opportunity was improved to the extent of the time limit. What was said was well received. At the same hour there was a hearing before a committee of the house in New Hampshire. This hearing is reported to have been very satisfactory. The writer could not be present because of the hearing in New York. In fact, the hearings are so numerous that we are of necessity dividing our forces. The Lord is blessing us in so doing.

(Concluded on page 19)

Religious Legislation in New England and New York

(Concluded from page 17)

Future public hearings have been announced as follows: February 11, 12, 17, 19, 26, 27, 28. The dates for hearings on several of the pending bills have not been announced. It is probable, therefore, that other hearings will be held before the close of this month. It is our most earnest hope that those brethren who participate in these hearings shall have wisdom to say and to do that which the Lord would have said and done, and that only. To this end we know that we have the earnest prayers of all those who love the Lord of liberty and truth.

J. E. JAYNE, Religious Liberty Secretary of the Atlantic Union Conference.