From California by W. P. P.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 4, 1909

From California

By W. P. P.

A TELEGRAM from Elder J. O. Corliss was printed in the last issue of the REVIEW, announcing the defeat of a proposed amendment to the California Constitution, which would provide for Sunday laws. From a letter written by Brother Corliss, reporting the experiences, we take the following extract:—

“The author of the amendment, Mr. Johnson, had the first speech, and although the contention had been, all along, that there was no religious intention behind the bill, his entire talk was along the line of a religious day of rest. In fact, there was no other thought made prominent enough to carry the least weight. He probably talked twenty minutes. Another Mr. Johnson, Mr. Preston, Mr. Wheelan, and Mr. Irwin, all talked strongly against the bill as a religious measure. I might also mention that a Mr. Cronin said a few words in harmony with the other opponents of the measure. There were only two who ventured to talk in favor of the matter, besides Mr. Johnson, the author of the bill. It is not necessary here to enter into detail regarding the arguments of the opponents of the measure, but suffice it to say that very many of our arguments were repeated. In fact, Mr. — had before him quite a bundle of documents that had been placed in his hands by us. He used one of them in his speech.”

In view of the failure of the effort to secure the required amendment to the constitution in behalf of Sunday laws, it is probable that no further move will be made at this session of the legislature to pass the pending Sunday bill. But Mr. G. L. Tufts, a representative of the International Reform Bureau, who is the author of the bill, and who has led the campaign in behalf of this legislation, has already announced his purpose to renew the fight at the next session of the legislature two years hence. In view of this warning, the friends of religious freedom will doubtless enter upon a campaign of education with a view to the defeat of any such effort. W. W. P.