p. 12 | A Sensible Decision

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 24, 1910

A Sensible Decision

It is refreshing to know that there are judges and statesmen who recognize the principle that the particular day upon which an act is performed does not constitute it civil or uncivil, and that work done upon Sunday does not require special legislation any more than work done upon any other day of the week. The court of appeals of Kentucky recognizes this principle in a recent decision as to the unconstitutionality of a Kentucky statute, prohibiting the operation of barber shops on Sunday. According to the Washington Times of March 9, the court says: “General laws cover the subject sufficiently without special legislation against the trade ‘which lends so much to the comfort and good looks of the male portion of our citizenship.’” Laws which prohibit on Sunday that which may be done on other days are special legislation designed to exalt Sunday above its fellows, no matter on what grounds they may be enacted. Any act which is uncivil on Sunday is uncivil on every other day of the week, and any act which it is lawful to do on any one of the other six days, is entirely lawful to do on Sunday, so far as State interference is concerned. It would be well if all courts would recognize this.