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23 Ky. L.J. 131 (1934-1935)
Sunday Legislation

handle is hein.journals/kentlj23 and id is 131 raw text is: SUNDAY LEGISLATION ALvIN W. JOHNSON* The question of Sunday laws and their enforcement has -occupied a significant place in the consideration of all European and other Western governments ever since 321 A. D., when the first Sunday law was issued by the emperor, Constantine. This question was continuously prominent among the issues in the early history of the United States; it remains an important ques- tion in our day, and indications are that it will increasingly -demand greater attention from the American people in years to come. Laws regulating the conduct of the people on the first of the week were among the first enactments of the American com- monwealths.1 The manner in which such legislation has been treated by the courts of our country forms a curious and inter- esting chapter in our constitutional history. With the begin- ning of our national history Sunday observance was enforced by the original thirteen states. With the states it was simply the continuance of colonial legislation, each of the colonies hav- ing had an established religion. These Sunday laws, in turn, have been copied and perpetuated in nearly all of the states of the Union. Attempts have been made to have similar laws passed by the Federal government.2 * Executive Dean, Union College; M. A., University of Michigan, 1923; Ph. D., University of Minnesota, 1933. 1 It should be noted that Rhode Island was the great exception to this general rule. However, even in Rhode Island Sunday laws were passed atla later date, though never really enforced. To Roger Williams must be given the credit for establishing a society based upon the principles of complete separation of church and state. Among the numerous attempts to induce Congress to pass a Sun- -day law, the following intended for the District of Columbia is a sample. In the House of Repesentatives, December 5, 1927, Mr. Lank- ford introduced the following bill, which was referred to the Com- mittee on the District of Columbia and ordered to be printed. To secure Sunday as a day of rest in the District of Columbia, and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That it shall be un- lawful In the District of Columbia for any person, firm, corporation, or any of their agents, directors, or officers to employ any person to labor

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