1868.] OF THE HOUSE OF DELEGATES. 547

Which was read.

Mr. Devecmon from same committee presented the follow-
ing Minority Report.

To the Honorable, the Speaker,

and Members of the House of Delegates :

The undersigned, the minority of the Committee on the
Judiciary, begs leave to submit the following report
upon the modification of the Sunday Law, with the accom-
panying bill.

In the early part of the present session leave was granted
to introduce a bill looking to a modification of the law, and
was referred to the Committee on Judicial Proceedings.
While the election was pending last fall, a modification of
the Sunday Law was an exciting element in the contest in
some portions of the State, the German vote numbering over
fifteen thousand, and in the county of one of the undersigned,
(Allegany county,) numbering over twelve hundred voters,
distinguished for their thrift, perseverance and industry, and
for all those qualities which Constitute the good citizen, with
almost singular unanimity, favor some modification. One of
the undersigned, during the late canvass, pledged himself to
introduce a bill for a modification, even if it alienated the
puritanical portion of his constituency, because he believed
that some modification was eminently proper and just.

The undersigned have given the subject some thought and
reflection, and will endeavor to present the views that in-
fluenced them in favoring a modification of the existing Sab-
bath Law, in as brief and condensed form as possible. The
undersigned adhere firmly to the doctrine that the people
"that are governed least are governed best," and that "the
sternness and rigor of law is but one step removed from the
severity of oppression." In enunciating the sentiments
which control our political action, we do not mean to be
understood as dispensing with laws necessary for every well
governed community, nor do we design to alter or modify
any law which has had a beneficial and moral influence on
society, but we do deny that the statute now in existence,
framed by their creators for restraining intemperance, has
had the effect contemplated by their advocates. The first
stringent law prohibiting the sale of liquor on the Sahbath
day was enacted in 1847; from what we have learned from
members of the legal profession, actively engaged in the
practice of their profession at that time, the criminal dockets
of the counties and the city of Baltimore were filled with in-
dictments against parties charged with the violation of the
law, the several courts and avenues thereto were lined with
the lowest and most degraded class of the community, which.