Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1855-10-20
From the New York Times
Free Love Nowhere-The "Club" Broken
up by the Police

The Free Love Club is broken up-its glory
departed-its leaders in prison-its funds in
possession Of the Police-its "attractions"
ended.
The Police Thursday evening made de-
scent upon the premises occupied by the Club
at No. $50 Broadway, over Taylor'S Saloon,
and arrested Albert Brisbane, the we'll known
Socialist, and three others, who were confined
in prison during the night. The event created
the most intense excitement in the vicinity.
The particulars are as follows
The usual Thursday meeting of the Club
took place last evening. At the appointed
hour, O'Clock, the regular members who at
tend punctually wefe duly On hand. They
were followed in the space Of two hours by a
great crowd of men, young and old, who were
in search of novelties, and found them before
the evening was over. There were probably
upward of three hundred per- OnS present, first
and last, during the entertainment. Many of
these were very young men. Many were old
men, gray haired and venerable, who embraced
Free Love doctrines fervently. All went on
quietly until about 81 O'Clock, when speaking
was commenced. Mr.. Henry CIapp, who is q
prominent spokesman for the Socialists led off
He made violent speech in denunciation of
the press Of this city. Mr.. Albert Brisbane
followed him in harapgue, in which he de-
clared that New Iork's chief institution is
Mercer street, and that without that locality
New York would not be what it is; it would
be simply dull city of merchants.
Mr.. Drisbane's remarks were received with
decided disfavOr, and it was feared that he
would be assaulted before he could leave the
| room. Two Police Captains, Capt. Turnbull,
of the Eighth, and Capt. Kssner, of the
Fourteenth W ards, happened to be among the
| audience during the delivery of Mr.. Brisbane S
| speech; having dropped in to take an observa-
| ton, in consequence Of complaints which had
been entered against the establishment by Mr..
Taylor, and others doing business in that vi
cinity. The gatherings had been complained
| of as disOrderly in their character, and there
| brought to the notice ofthe grand jury. These
| facts induced the Captains Of the Eighth
| and Fourteenth Wards to concert measures
| in suppressing the concern. Early in the eve.
| ming, q crowd began to collect about the doors
| of the saloon, and the business of the adjoin-
| ing houses was seriously interfered with. Capt
Turnbull observed among the crowd, a mum
Der of suspicious character, known to the DO.
l lice, and considered that the proper time had
| arrived for interfering with the performances
| up stairs.
| After Brisbane had concluded his speech,
Capt. Turnbnll heard a scuffle in the hall,
| went out to see what vas the matter, and
| found the doorkeeper, Mr.. Thomas Harland,
| cinched with Mr.. Cockefair. Cockefair
made charge of assault and battery against
| Harland and upon this charge it became
Captain Turnbull's duty to take Harland into
| custody. Harland resisted Captain Turnbull
called for assistance; several citizens stepped
| forward, and Harland was taken down stair.
| and put in charge, to be conveyed to the Eighth
Ward Station house. Two brothers, John
| Henderson and Benjamin Henderson, who
came to the rescue of Harlapd, we're likewise
arrested for interference with the officers in
the discharge of their duties. Mr.. Brisbane
| himself came out to see what the trouble was
and was arrested by Captain Turnbull on a
charge of disorderly conduct. and was also
| conducted to the Station.hO
| The scene that followed these arrests battles
| any description. There was no longer any
| passioPal attraction" 1t was all passionate
rspulsion several highly respectable gentle.
| men, well known In the literary world and in
politics, sought to make speedy exit The
Police Captains stood by the door, warning
the company to disPer'e quietly, and the lsdie: