p. 19 | A Determined Sunday-Law Crusade by W. A. C.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D.C. · Jul 11, 1907

A Determined Sunday-Law Crusade

By W. A. C.

THE following, which appeared in the Boston Globe, of Sunday, June 23, 1907, well illustrates the character of the Sunday-law movement. The chief promoters of Sunday legislation are church leaders, and the ones who are most insistent that these laws shall be enforced after they are enacted are church leaders. Following is the article:—

“The village of Brandon, Vt., has been shaken to its foundation because of a crusade against violation of the Sunday law.

“Rev. George A. Cooke, pastor of the Methodist church, is responsible for this movement, and has been its leader. Mr. Cooke demands the resignation of officers of the law who, he alleges, are responsible for its non-enforcement.

“Mr. Cooke started the campaign with an Italian fruit stand. After long solicitation on the part of the clergyman, the town officials asked the foreigner to close his place of business on Sunday, and he did. After he had succeeded in his initial step, Mr. Cooke asked the selectmen to put all the constables out of business, and select new ones in their places; but the reply was made that these officers were chosen by the people, and the selectmen had no authority to remove them from office; so the clergymen wrote each constable and deputy sheriff a letter asking them to resign or else stand prosecution for non-performance of his duties.

“Mr. Cooke, in an interview, explained his position graphically and clearly. He said:—

““When I requested an Italian fruit dealer to close his business on Sunday, he calmly informed me that the authorities of the town had allowed him to do business on Sunday for many years, and that he did not propose to stop unless all other places of business were closed as well. The agitation spread until the authorities did close this business on Sunday, but in a short time the proprietor resumed Sunday selling.

““I consulted Town Grand Juror Frank Williams to ascertain whose duty it was to see that the laws were enforced. He told me it was not his duty, but that the constable should see to the enforcement of Sunday laws. I then wrote to Constable Fletcher, requesting him to serve notice on all offenders against the Sunday laws of the State, in the town of Brandon, and I stated in this letter that it was no desire of mine that any arrests should be made unless necessary to secure proper observance of the law.

““Mr. Fletcher became irritated at this request, claimed it was no business of his to enforce the law, and I had better attend to my own business, as my church would not stand by me.

““The following Sunday I preached a sermon on “Does Brandon Need a House Cleaning?” in which I tried to

portray the fearful conditions that prevailed in the town, and sought to arouse the public conscience to action. I set forth that our officers, who are public servants, arrogantly assumed to be our masters. They refused to perform the duties of their office, and intimidated those who asked them to enforce the law.

““The next morning I met Mr. Fletcher, and he threatened to sue me for slander if he could find a witness who would say I had lied about him. I told him I would be pleased to have him proceed. I have not been arrested as yet.

““The following Sunday I preached to a crowded house on the subject, “Does Brandon Need an Earthquake?” In this sermon I explained more fully the conditions that prevailed and the necessity of an enlightened public opinion to remedy abuses that had grown up in Brandon.

““After this I communicated with State’s Attorney R. A. Lawrence and Attorney-General Fitts, and became more convinced than ever that I was on the right track. The law of Vermont makes it a serious offense for an officer wilfully to neglect to enforce the law.

““Again I wrote Constable Fletcher, stating to him that I had consulted Attorney-General Fitts and State’s Attorney Lawrence, and that I was convinced he had laid himself liable to prosecution. I further wrote him that I had nothing personal against him, and no disposition to pursue the matter any further than the public welfare required. I did call for his resignation in this letter, and promised to institute either criminal or civil proceedings against him if he would not send in his resignation.”

“This brings the crusade against violations of the Sunday law in Brandon up to date. Mr. Cooke is awaiting the resignation of Mr. Fletcher. If Mr. Fletcher refuses to resign as constable, then there are liable to be proceedings.

“Mr. Cooke finds a law passed by the legislature, called ‘The Corrupt Practise Act,’ which makes an officer failing to comply with the obligations of his office liable to a fine of one thousand dollars, imprisonment for one year, or both.”

This crusade and the appearance of this article in the Boston Globe have provoked considerable criticism in Vermont. A writer in the Brandon Union says the whole thing is simply “hot air,” “entirely uncalled for,” and calculated to give the impression that the people of Brandon are a “tough community.” The editor of the Rutland Herald calls it “much ado about nothing,” and says: “The time has gone by when men can be dragooned into righteousness or coerced into obedience to another man’s conscience,” and likens this minister to the bird that “fouls its own nest.”

W. A. C.