Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-03-29


MEETING OF MINISTER'S TO DISCUSS THE LICENSE
SYSTEM OF PROSTITUTION.
This morning at II o'clock meeting of min
listers was held at the Foundry M. E. church
parlors, to consider the subject OF taking some
means to prevent the enactment of law to
license prostitution. There were present, be-
sides the Methodist pastors, Rev. Messrs. Do
mer, Rankin, Chester, MeadOr, Mason, Rams
dell and others of various denominations. Be-
fore the meeting organized Mr.. Mason, OF the
words, and remarked that some ladies were
suspicious that there was movement on foot
In the bill providing for enlarging the powers
OF the national board of health, and while he
would regard the licensing OF prostitution as a
terrible calamity, he was not in favor Of taking
any action now, and he would deprecate action,
of health contemplates such action, and any
action now will defeat the ends they have in
view. He thought that II such law was enacted
1t would raise such storm OF indignation that
the law would be dead letter.
Rev. c. C. MeadOr was elected moderator and
Rev. Mr.. Ramsdel secretary.
Rev. Mr.. Mason to obtain the sense OF the
meeting moved that they regard any action on
this subject inexpedient
Rev. DR.. Lanahan stated that he had issued
the call to take action for "the suppression of
project it could better be defeated tnan later.
After some discussion on the call. Rev. DR..
Mason moved that they do not deem it eX-
pedtent to discuss the subject; lost
Rev. DR.. Lanahan said he had learned much
OF the subject recently, and he quoted from the
N Y. II nth the proceeding OF the American
Health Association, and the article calls atten-
tentiOn to the importance of watching the
manGuvers of the National Board of Health,
citing the questions contained IL circular OF
that board. He also read from the debate in
the Senate on the yellow fever bill. He re-
marked that he had read these extracts to show
what was being done. The ministers should,
on the bare suspicion that the board was max
ing efforts to obtain power to license houses of
prostitution, show that they were not different
to 1t and that 1t is a question they would meet
with determined opposition.
Rev. g. V. Leech moved that a committee Of
three be appointed to gather information on
this subject and report to a subsequent general
meeting of the pastors.
Rev. Mr.. Little remarked that the old Board
OF Health of this District had attempted some
thing OF this kind, and 1t resulted in their going
out Office, their design being made apparent
mittee should ascertain the feeling Of the mem
bers OF Congress on the subject.
The motion was adopted.
Rev. Dr.. Domer suggested that perhaps they
would better succeedtf they took action as indi-
vfduals and not as class.
Rev. DR.. Reilly suggested that he never knew
Wheu ministers united that they did not secure
the influence Of the laymen.
Rev. DR.. DOmer said he did not suggest that
they throw Off their ministerial character, but
thought these objects would be better accom-
plished by laymen acting.
Rev. G. V. Leech suggested that the commit
tee to be appointed should have power to select
laymen.
Rev. Drs. Lanahan, Rankin and Butler were
appointed, and authority was given them to
appoint laymen upon the committee.
Rev. Mr.. Leech suggested that to the subSe-
quent meeting laymen be invited by the COM
mittee; adopted.
The meeting adjourned