Opposing Religious Legislation in Massachusetts
ELDER L. S. WHEELER, of Boston, Mass., gives the following interesting report of a hearing on a Sunday bill in the Massachusetts Legislature:— “Elder Fitzgerald, Professor Griggs, and myself appeared before the committee here in the Massachusetts Legislature yesterday in remonstrance against Sunday bill No. 134. “I can hardly say that we had a hearing, for although I had made timely application for at least a half-hour to speak myself, yet they allowed the other side to consume so much time that we got no satisfaction. I attempted to present our reasons against the bill, but the committee manifested no interest to hear them, and I was forced to simply state my objection, and leave the matter there. “Elder Fitzgerald was finally allowed five minutes, and Professor Griggs arose and stated that he was in opposition to the measure. “I do not think, however, that their action was due so much to the fact that we were Adventists, as that they did not intend to favor the bill, and also that the bill apparently and directly (with other Sunday measures considered at the same time) affected other parties more. “We pointed out, however, that it repealed our exemption in the State. “The committee did not seem favorable to the bill, and were not very friendly to those who appeared in its interests, except in giving them more time. I should add that many other parties appeared against the bill, and, all told, I suppose the opposition had as much time as the other side.”