The Johnston Sunday Bill by S. B. H.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jul 27, 1911

The Johnston Sunday Bill

By S. B. H.

TUESDAY, July 18, witnessed a move against the Johnston District Sunday bill (S. 237) which practically kills it for this session of Congress, and places it at great disadvantage for the remainder of the Sixty-second Congress. Until the date referred to, the bill occupied an advantage in that it could be considered under Senate Rule VIII any day the calendar might be laid before the Senate. Under that rule it would not be necessary to await the presence of any senator who might have objected to the bill previously, so that the one in charge of a bill could take advantage of an objecting senator's absence, and rush the measure through.

On the day above referred to, Senator Heyburn moved that all District bills to which repeated objection had been made be transferred to Rule IX, under which rule a bill is not taken up unless a motion to proceed to its consideration is passed, and the objecting senators have been notified in advance that an effort will be made to pass it. The first bill to be affected by this motion, which carried, was the Sunday bill. Senator Johnston was not in the Senate chamber at the time, and a member thought it unfair to take action on the matter in his absence. Senator Heyburn, replying to this suggestion, said: “I am not violating any courtesy. . . . The only point is that we may not be kept continually on the watch.” Other District bills were likewise affected.

Let no one think, however, that this means the defeat of the Sunday bill. It may be called up by vote of the Senate at any time. All must keep vigilant watch, and continue to send in earnest protests. S. B. H.