Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1884-02-09
LETTER FROM RICHMOND.


Especial Correspondence of the Alexandria GAZETTE!
RICHMOND, Va, Feb. S.-The appear
ance of woman before legislative com
mittee this morning was much talked about
among members of the House. For ladies
to visit the capital and witness the proceed
ings of the two branches Of the General As
sembly is not an uncommon thing, indeed,
on the contrary, there are lady visitors eve
~ day. When Mrs. Kent Mason, the beau
tiful and fascinating temperance lecturer,
lectured one Sunday afternoon in the Hall
of the House of Delegates there was big
crowd to hear her and it is said her lecture
so impressed several Mahoneite statesmen
that they have never since tasted whiskey.
But Mrs. Packard, of Chicago, has the hon
or of being the first woman to appear
as an advocate of any measure before
committee Of The Virginia Legisa
lure. When the House committee on
Asylums and Prisons met today to consider
an important bill which was referred TO it,
Mrs. Packard walked into the room aud
quietly took a seat among the Legislators.
She informed the committee that she bad a
bill which she desired them to examine
Packard then proceeded to give an account
of her history and commenced by saying
that she is the wife Of a Presbyterian clergy
man, who resides or did reside in Illinois;
that she differed with her husband and bis
congregation in their religious belief. The
rock upon which they split was in regard to
the punishment Of infants. She did not be-
lieve that the ''little innocents'' would be
punished in the world 10 come and the ar
| gument she had advanced so influenced her
| husbands flock that he had to take some
action in the premises. Whether Mr.. Pack
ard really believed in the punishment OF
infants was not stated by his WIFE Perhaps
it was the broad grounds she took in her
argument that brought about the trouble.
However, be that as it may, she said her
| husband had her committed to a lunatc
asylum for three years and that she finally
got out on q writ of habeas corpus
Before this a mob undertook to re-
lease her, which so alarmed her husband
that he concluded TO take her back to his
house While at home she got hold Of some
letters which the Superintendent of the
Asylum had written to her husband telling
him that be THE Superintendent would
give her husband a certificate to the effect
that her case was ncurable. After relating
the hardships she underwent Mrs. Packard
argued in support Of Il change in the mode
OF discipline and management of the insane
asyluma. She took the ground that the
Superintendent is an autocrat, has nulimit
ed power and no appeal from his decisions
can be taken. One thing she wishes to see
established at the asylums is postal regula-
tons, so that inmates can be permitted TO
correspond with persons outside without
having their letters scrutinized by the SUI
perntendent or officers of the institutions
She presented bill in conformity with her
views, and says that the bill has been pass
ed by the Legislatures of nineteen States.
The committee has fixed upon 10 o'clock
tomorrow TO consider Mrs. Packard's bill
She is well educated lady and is about so
years Of age. She was so we'll informed
upon the subject that the committee WAS
very forcbly struck with many of the view s
she advanced, and more than that some of
her suggestions were highly spoken of Us
much Oh account of their seemingly intrin-
sic value as for their orig inality. She is just
from Kentucky, and will leave for Wash
ington in day or two TO advocate some ma
tional legislation in regard to the protect
| ion Of women.
From the muddle over the apportionmens
question it is impossible to predict which
plan will be selected. This much is certain
No matter what may be done there will be
dissatisfaction. All sections cannot be suit
ed. Some Of Mr.. fuckers friends complain
of the Porter bill rs calculated to make his
district too much protection. But indica-
tons are that the Porter bill will not be SO
lected
Last week when Modjeska played here
some Of the performers were surprised at
suppressed laughter on the part of the audi
ence over passage which is if anything
tragic in its nature and has not been consider.
ed particularly striking. The play was 'As
You Like it"-and the passage was where
Adam says to Orlando, Master so on and
| will follow thee The fact was, the au-
dience was reminded Of a speech Of this ma
ture heard during the recent canvass
Master lead on, I'll follow" For the ben.
eft of the theatrical profession the exrlana-
ton is deemed appropriate.
Ex.Gov. Smith was in the city to- day and
attended the caucus by invitation.
STRONGBOW.
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