The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1888-10-23

o2l9n 6z1t3 70 Exr&111-
To the Editor The Womsa's
Christian Temperance Union rises to
explain There has been much sur
prise expressed and some adverse criti-
elsn INDUCED m concerning the action
OF the Wonaa's Christian Temper
snce Union in reiinaafshing their Cos
pal Hall On South Second street. We
are sure the public does not under
stand our reasons.
There is no question but that good
was done BY the Christian effort raasic
there More than SO signed the tenn
pera1ee pledge in that old hall this
rear. and numbers have protested
conversion. whose subsequent Iives
have been proof OF the reality OF their
changed purposes The Seanen's
Bethel. under direction OF its worthy
Chaplain Rees, found here an excel
lent place for holding frequent sailors
meetings. The Blue Ribbon Club
under the leadership OF the enshaz;-
tstic and popular Clark Davis took the
hall on Friday evenings, and eyangei-
isfic work under the direct auspices Of
the Woman's Christian Temperance
Union was conducted at other times
There was no evening upon which a
crowd could not be gathered by simply
singing hymns at the frent door, for,
fortunately men are sometimes more
easily drawn by a sweet gospel hymn,
than by q brass band. Several OF our
business men were assisting US in the
payment OF our rent, their
kindness we shall remember}
and we had the privilege OF
retaining the place until January, 1890
The old building was not attractive.
bat men felt at home there, and the
Woman's Christian Temperance Union
reached the class for which il hoped
when the hall was opened All this
for ffe bright side OF the picture
The w. c. T. &. is not in the habit
OF deliberately relinau;shing a field
public 10 know that the enterprise was
not failure, either as moral agency
or financially, nor did il fail from lack
of interest. 1t failed sanitarily. At
tention 10 hygiene Is one OF the foan-
dation principles Of the w. c. T. u.
We cannot be consistent members OF
NA4C " anu tfE C4kEltSE It
gartling sanitary conditions.
There Is no one. unacguainted with
the place, who can az all appreciate the
condition OF the old Standard theatre
when the women undertook the WORK
OF hoaseeleanlng there How any one
could leave premises in such a filthy
condition i past understanding. Does
the health officer know the condition
Of the new Standard theatre and kim
dTesi places in that part of town, If
not We believe the city council should
order q thorough investigation of all
those Gens, and should demand q
truthful report concerning them. We
believe in the great future of Seattle
and would like to resent the charge
that it is city OF sixty smells" and
such odorous compliments. but We
dare not. We fear the public
nose OF Seattle has either
lost its sense OF smell or has
become gradually Injured to bad, IN
healthy odors. The w c. r. T..
thought il possible to sweeten that
old place, so long given up TO vice,
and 10 that end set men TO work with
shovel and hoe, soap and water, scrub
brushes and broons, lime and cop
peras, whiteWash aud paint, but TO
very little purpose. From lack OF
sewerage and criminal carelessness
the filthy accTetions had accumulated
in that part of the city and the effect
could not be overcome by ordinary
means, 50 we only succeeded in max
ing the place endurable. When the
cottage was removed to the rear
of the building il closed off the sun
light and circulation OF air from the
west, and then commenced the cree
ton OF Gov Squires' new block which,
in its progress, closed all bat
one window on the south of
the hall, and il became unfit
for use. As a matter OF con-
science we could no longer advertise
rooms for rent, believing as we did
that the place was wholly unit to sleep
in. The new proprietors are going TO
great expense IN lifting up the build
ing. This We were unable to do. We
hope they will succeed in making it
pleasant and healthy. as they may. by
a thorough system of sewerage and
some method of ventilation. We do
not regret the few hundred dollars we
expended, because We believe we ac-
eomplished some good by the effort,
and we learned what grand work
could be carried on under favorable
conditions. We hope the sanitary en-
gineer whom the council has engaged
to come will turn his attention some
what to the disease and vice-breeding
quarter commonly known as "the
sawdust." We don't think it can be
good policy TO allow the most beautiful
city In the world TO remain fit sub
ject for criticism regarding tssmells.
Pass COMMITTEE ". C. L. L.