Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-05-30

In response to call for public meeting tC
consider the question of the establishment by
Congress of an asylum for chronic inebriates il
the District of Columbia, large number Of
ladies and gentlemen enlisted in the war
against alcohol assembled In the pariors of the
7. NJ c. A. last evening. Mr.. F. NJ. Bradley
presided.
DIR. GoDDING SAYS ALCOHOLISM is A DISEASE.
Among the speakers was DIR. W. W. Godding,
superintendent of the government insane hos
pltal, who regards alcoholism disease, not
crime. He referred TO the recent tragedy in
South Washington as an illustration, and
thought that place should certainly be pro-
yided for such unfOrtunates. The alms-house,
he thought. was not the proper place for them,
neither was the insane hospital. The estab-
hshment of an inebriate asylum or other place
where such patients could be properly treated
and cared for was, according to his idea, the
proper remedy.
VIEWS OF REV. DIR. BARTLETT.
Rev. DIR. Bartlett, in the course of his re-
marks, thought that such an institution ought
to be endowed by Congress, because it would
receive patients from all parts of the United
States. We certainly have plenty of material
to start with" he said. I'VE want some place
where these people can go and remain until
they have the ability to take care of themselves
thirty days think that under the wise super
vision of DIR. Goddlng we ought to be able to
get a bill through Congress. Start a small
scale first and continue until the necessity for
such place will eventually fade out" lap
plause.l
COMMISSIONERS DOUGLASS WILL ASSIST.
Commissioner Douglass was next called upon
to give his views. He said that he was present
more to listen and learn than to take an active
part in the meeting. He was in hearty accord
with the movement and would assist at all
times in the work. He had been informed
that a similar attempt made year or two ago
had failed He had had occasion to think over
the matter, because he once made an effort to
have friend treated in this city. but learned
that there was no such institution here as the
one proposed. He learned that there was one
in Baltimore but then there is no way of get
ting patient over there If such patient OBJ
jects.
THE CHIEF OF POLICE GIVES SOME STATISTICS.
Col. Moore. chief of police, was next called
upon to tell what he knew of the need for such
an institution. He said that during the year
that ended few months ago there were 4, 900
arrests for intoxication and $50 arrests for in
toxicGtion and disorderly conduct combined
Singular as 1t may seem, he said. there was no
law IN this District against drunkenness The
arrests are made for the protection of the
drunken man lest he might suffer from the
eteAtuts vi IFOu thieves. lnere Is no other
class of persons that give the officers so much
trouble as the ''drunks." A drunken man is
naturally pugnacious, and the officer fire.
quently suffers bodily injury or has his
clothing torn when he attempts to care
for the drunken man or do him a
kind act, and when he gets his clothing
torn in that way it is his own loss. As the
question now stands an habitual drunkard is
arrested and given not more than ninety days
on the farm He is unfit for work of any kind
nd INN
Col. Moore spoke of the numerous complaints
received about intoxicated husbands in which
the wife or children of the man do not make
complaint on account of the publicity that
might be given the case.
THE CASE OF OSWALD c. ALLEN,
who killed his wife and himself. Col Moore
thought was fair illustration of the necessity
for such an institution. He thought it was a
blot upon the capital city that there were no
means 70 either punish or assist this unfortu-
nate class of persons. If they are not to be
punished there ought to be way TO put them
where they can't harm any one else; if you can
not reform them, keep them in some place
until they die, and thus prevent them from
killing Others
Lieut.. Amiss was then called upon but he
said that Col. Moore had fully covered the
ground. and had left nothing for him TO say
except that he was In full accord with the
movement.
JUDGE cox, OF THE DISTRICT SUPREME COURT
testified to his sympathy with the movement,
and said that the Allen tragedy was the
strongest argument in favor of the establish
ment Of such institution. The Judge. in
discussing the question. spoke of the matter of
personal liberty, and said that the establish
ment OF such an institution would involve a
nigh and delicate question. and would have to
be carefully framed. as not 10 infringe upon
the fundamental rights Of personal liberty
Mr. b. IL WARNER SPEAKS OF THE INTEREST OF
TAXPAYERS IN THE MATTER.
Mr.. II. II. Warner said the question under
discussion was an important one and ought TO
interest the whole community. including the
saloon-keepers, and he had no doubt the move
ment would receive their hearty support He
said that some time ago he had occasion to
look INTO the question. and he learned that be-
tween 20 and 80 per cent of crime was the re-
suit Of intoxlcatiOn. Each saloon be said costs
the government $3.50. and that certainly was a
question Of considerable Importance TO tax
PAYERS He cited several in which government
onciais had lost their positions and found their
way to the wOrkhouse through strong drink
He said that Mr. Thomas Wilson was present,
and be would like TO hear what he had to say
on the subject
Nh THOMAS WILSON THINKS DRUNKENNESS A
CRIME AND SHOULD BE PUNISHED.
Mr.. Wilson walked forward and caused some
thing OF a sensation when he said that he had
not been in favor of the establishment of such
an institution He did believe in the necessity
Tor one. he then drew a comparison between
two cities, referring to London and New York.
In the one city. he said. there is no semblance
OF temperance organization. There is no
such thing known there. Everybody pretends
TO drink liquor. II would be almost impossible
TO get drink OF ice water, and, il YOU did
they would expect to see you drop dead soon
after you drank 1t. In that city there is the
least drunkenness of any Christian city, On
the other hand there is a city of great wealth
and the richest churches. That city is best
governed IN regard to Sabbath breaking and
IN that city Is the greatest amount of drunken
ness and crimes growing out of intemperance
he was IN favor Of a law making drunkenness a
crime and punishable by Imprisonment. Such
law would cost nothing and chances fer get
ting II passed would be greater
Nj. Wilson was interrupted several times
and questioned concerning his remarks. He
said that he would call drunkenness a '.crime'
and put the offenders in prison. He thought
shat enough had already been said against the
drunkard to put him IN any prison.
OTHER SPEAKERS.
Rev. DIR. Sunderland spoke in opposition 10
the views expressed by Mr.. Wilson.
Addresses we're also made by Mrs. IaFetra
Mrs. Solger, Rev. Mr.. Ramsdell and Others.
The bill introduced in Congress last winter
by Senator Edmunds was discussed and the
Vermont and Massachusetts laws on the subject