Page:The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 05.pdf/167

SUNDAY OBSERVANCE. — Two recent cases on this point are of interest. The Nebraska Supreme Court, in State 7'. O'Rourk, 46 Albany Law Journal, 534, hold that playing ball on Sunday is "sporting," rendering the player liable to punishment under the statute. Chief-Justice Maxwell preached an excel lent sermon on Sunday observance, adorned with much historical learning, and with some eloquent praise of the teachings of Christ, which is none the less good because obiter. The only question was whether ball-playing is "sporting;" and that was easily solved in the affirmative. We commend the opinion to the perusal of our readers, for it is sensi

ble and healthful, and its inculcations are much needed in these days, and might well be pondered in Brooklyn, " city of churches " and of Sunday ball-playing. The other case, Commonwealth v. Matthews, Pennsylvania Supreme Court, holds that selling newspapers on Sunday is not a work of "necessity or charity." We think the Chief-Justice is sounder in this view than in his views of "treason." A Sunday newspaper is not necessary, although very convenient; it is rather a luxury, like ice-cream and cigars. One thing is certain, — the bawling of news boys on Sunday near churches during service is a crying nuisance, and should be choked off.