Los Angeles daily herald., 1888-03-31
SOCIAL PURITY.
An Interesting Topic Of
Discussion
IN THE woMEN's COUNCIL.
Elizabeth Lisle Saxon and Other
Speakers-Decollette Co.'S
tunes Denounced.

Associated Press Dispatches to the HHRAxD,J
WASHINGTON, March SO.-In the
Woman's Suffrage Convention this
morning, Mrs. Elizabeth Lisle Saxon.
OF Louisiana, created a sensation BY
her discourse on "Social Purity. }"
She spoke very plainly Of the social
evil, of the imprudence OF women IN
not confding to their children the
great secrets and truths of life, instead
of letting them learn from children
and servants. Mrs. Admission Chant
vouched for the truthfulness of the
charges published in the Pail Mall
Gazette, saying she would stake her
life on their correctness. She spoke
principally OF the work of social
purity societies in Great Britain.
Girls, before there was legislation,
we're taken in droves by progresses
to the continent to fill houses of i'll
fame, under pretense of getting them
places of service.
Harriet B. Shattuck and Clara
| Clayborne spoke in the same strain as
Mrs. Saxon had done. All the REM
edies would be but partial and disap-
pointing until woman stands every
where in perfect equality with man,
until society and church and law re-
gard marriage a perfect partnership
and she an equal partner. The horror
Of lustful children being brought into
the world will continue until woman is
recognized as having right to say
when the new life shall begin.
Parents, when that time arrives, will
have no shame in teaching their chill
dren the mysteries of life.
Francis Willard, as preface to her
remarks read petition to be signed,
urging Congress to pass the bill to
raise the age of consent, wherever it
has absolute control, to 18 years. She
attacked low-necked dresses and said
hose wearing them borrowed the idea
from women whom she would be
ashamed to touch. She also con-
demned the half-nude pictures Of
wo men used as advertisements. She
touched upon the improperly of stage
dressing and the evils of round
dancing.
President and Mrs. Cleveland
gave special reception at the
White House this afternoon to
the members of the Women's Council.
THE QUESTION OF SUFFRAGE.
At the evening session the theme
for discussion was: "The political
condition of women and their right
to the ballot" The first address was
by Isabella Beecher Hooker, Of
Connecticut, who asserted that the
words "the people" everywhere used
in the Constitution showed it was the
intentention Of the trainers to place
women on a perfect equality with
men. J.. Ellen Foster said the
denial Of woman's right to vote
was defiance of nineteenth century
civilization. The women Of the
United States would never cease this
agitation until liberty of heart, head
and hand is secured to every citizen Of
he Republic.
t Mrs. Harriet H. Robinson said that
nothing was to be expected from
either of the two leading political
parties. The Prohibition party is
very good about passing resolutions,
but as yet it has no political power,
and the majority of the members
usually vote the Republican ticket.
The only hope seems to be the forma-
tion Of new party which shall ad-
vocate our own, with other leading
reforms. The old parties are slowly
diving out.