SUNDAY-LAW AGITATION IN LOS ANGELES.
By W. T. Knox
During the greater portion of the present year there has been considerable agitation in Los Angeles on the Sunday question, and the plans of the State Sabbath Association to capture California for Sunday by county and municipal legislation, have been fully manifested. In March last, the Methodist ministers' association succeeded in having the city council insert a clause in all city contracts, forbidding work on Sunday for the city. This was immediately followed by an ordinance prohibiting circus parading or exhibiting on Sunday. On June 22d a petition containing 8,000 signatures was presented to the council asking for an ordinance that would close all business houses on Sunday; exceptions were made in favor of hotels, restaurants, livery stables, and drug stores. The petitioners recited that the proposed legislation was in the interest of the clerks, in order that a day of rest might be secured to them. A remonstrance signed by 2,600 citizens was also presented, in which it was set forth that the proposed legislation was unconstitutional, and unjust, as well as needless. The matter was referred to the Committee on Public Morals, and a hearing granted to all interested on July 1. The petitioners were represented by an attorney, who presented the legal phase of the question, maintaining the constitutionality and propriety of the proposed law. Elder R. S. Owen represented the protestants in a clear and forcible manner, and was followed by Dr. Wilson, of the First M. E. Church, in a tirade against the Adventists so vilifying and vindictive as to require no reply. The petition and protest have been taken under advisement by the committee. In the meantime the agitation has demonstrated that there is a class here who will not rest satisfied until Los Angeles possesses a Sunday ordinance that will cover all classes. W. T. Knox.