252 S.W. 90 | Mo. Ct. App. | 1923
Defendant was charged by information with the violation of section 3599, Revised Statutes 1919. It is charged that in the county of Newton and State of Missouri on February 12, 1922, defendant did willfully and unlawfully on the said 12th day of February, the same being the first day of the week commonly *477 called Sunday, keep open a certain grocery store, and expose and offer for sale goods, wares and merchandise. A jury was waived and the cause tried before the court. Defendant was found guilty, and his punishment fixed at a fine of $25. After the usual motions he appealed.
About the only defense at the trial was that defendant is a Seventh Day Adventist and observed Saturday as the Sabbath. It was admitted that he kept his grocery store open on the day charged during the usual business hours. The evidence shows that he sold groceries, meats and feed. One witness stated that he bought some feed for his team under circumstances which may be said to constitute an immediate necessity. Defendant was charged under section 3599, Revised Statutes 1919, which prohibits, among other things, the exposing to sale of goods on Sunday. Section 3600 excepts from the provisions of section 3599 drugs and medicines, and provisions and other articles of immediate necessity; but there is no exception for members of a religious society by whom some other day than the first day of the week is observed as the Sabbath, as there is to section 3596 relating to work and labor.
Defendant was charged under section 3599 with exposing to sale goods, wares and merchandise. Section 3600 provides that section 3599 shall not be construed to prevent the sale of any drugs or medicines, provisions or other articles of immediate necessity. No one is exempt from the provisions of section 3599 except as is provided in section 3600.
In this court defendant does not rely upon the exceptions to members of a religious society who observe some day other than the first day of the week as the Sabbath; but contends that what he sold should be construed as immediate necessaries. State v. Campbell,
Defendant in effect admitted that he exposed for sale his entire stock. He sold to those who desired to buy without regard to the question of immediate necessity. His demurrer was properly overruled.
The judgment below should be affirmed, and it is so ordered.Cox, P.J., and Farrington, J., concur. *479