Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-02-19
AN INEBRIATES' HOME.
A Citizens Mass Meeting Asks Congress
to Establish One,

ADDRESSES BIT JUDGE COX, DIR. aoDDISa, REV.
DIR. BARTLETT AND Mr. b. Il. wARNER-A
PROPER PLACE FOR TREATING rNHBRrArKs Re-
QUIRKD IN THE DISTRICT.
Doctors, lawyers. merchants. in fact ALL
were at the Metropolitan church last night and
all we're enthusiastic in their support of the OBJ
ject OF the meeting, and that object was to
further the legislation to establish a home
and hospital for the inebriates in the District.
On the platform were Rev. Geo. H. Corey,
Justice Walter s. Cox, DR.. W. W. Godding,
Commissioner Douglass, Grand Chief Templar
Kalstrom of the Good Templars. Rev. W. A.
Bartlett, B. H. Warner and ex-Commissioner
Webb.
The body of the church was nearly full when
DR.. Corey opened the meeting with an appro-
pirate prayer. after which Grand Chief Templar
haktrom said fey words and proposed Justice
Cox as chairman OF the meeting.
JUDGE Cox's SPEECH.
Justice Cox remarked that this was not a
temperance movement but an attempt to
afford some relief to the sordid, groveling
objects OF intemperan CO. 1--WE are inclined"
continued the Justice. "to look on intemper-
ance as a matter to be disciplined but on the
other hand there is large class who use stimu-
lants In u small way through years OF useful
and honorable career, but to these there often
comes time when excess is necessary. the gar
who had been welcomed becomes an
enemy, and no exertion can save
him from downfall For such man anger
gives way to pity Judge Cox held that in
temperance was a disease. If insanity Is dis
case OF the brain then confirmed drunkard is
insane, with temporary periods of sanity. The
man should be treated as insane-removed
from temptation for a time necessary TO effect
a permanent cure. 1.-THE bill is before Con-
gress. continued the speaker, and now YOU
by your presence here and your voices outside,
are asked to give emphasis to the appeal"
DIR. GoDDING's ADDRESS.
DR.. ". W. Godding followed in an address.
The doctor thought people should have more
sympathy for fallen souls. After the habit got
its Aold. he said, intemperan,e was disease,
and should be Sd treated. If an asylum is
merely soberins-o off place, where men may re-
cuperate Tor another drink lit is of not the slight
est value. We have tried jails and warehouses;.
Now let us try home. giving 1t sufficient
power to be of benefit. The home should
have broad fields surrounding it,. Not less
than 800 acres wero needed. Outdoor work
was needed to effect cures. Compulsory labor
must be provided for by the law. The patient
must lave regular mental and physical occupa-
ton. The board in charge should consist of
leading citizens, with enough Congressman to
~
be a medical man of high standing, with a
deep faith in the innate good in man and a be-
lief that inebriety is disease. No politics
must be brought into the affair.
COMMISSIONER DOUGLASS SPEECH
Commissioner Douglass, who was the next
speaker said that last August at the rooms of
the YIN. CA. he had expressed himself as in
favor Of this measure, and later the board of
Commissioners had done likewise. The board
had changed a little since then. Col Robert
had come in, but Col. Robert was Baptist and
in favor of Adams ale every time, and the
board was just as firm in its adherence to cold
water as ever. The bill, he said afforded full
protection to every one. No man or
woman could be put in the asylum
without fair trial before jury.
II he can prove that he is not a drunkard, but
only drinks a couple of gallons day which he
can stand. why all right. Some men never get
drunk above their shoulders and such men can
take a trip to the home of their free will In
any case the length of detention is placed at
two years. If the patient is not then cured
the whole business before the court and jury
has to be gone through with again. People are
beginning to understand that "Children's
teeth are set on edge because the
parents ate grapes" 1ntemperance. is
disease either hereditary or otherwise.
There were. he said, 3sl people at the work
house, over 800 of whom have been brought
there by drink. In 1874 and 1876 good bill
passed Congress providing for an asylum for
this purpose in the District 1t first-rate
and the District las never got its asylum. The
two lines read, Provided, that Congress shall
never appropriate any money for the asylum"
DIR. BARTLETr's PLEA.
Rev. DR.. w. A. Bartlett made strong plea for
the proposed hospital No matter, he said, how
man became Incorporate, whether rich or
poor, the results are SO frightful that he must
be cured. Moral courage is needed Because
certain citizens use the razor very vigorously
in their quarrels we should not do away with
steel, but elevate their minds they will use
the razor only for its proper purpose. God gives
things for useful purposes. The water is not
to drown in nor ores to make weapons. Solve
the problem by elevating the moral nature of
humanity and let Gods universe alone. In
temperance is a disease, but the man is morally
responsible
home is certainly needed where both moral
and physical nature could be elevated. Give
the victim will force and he is all right.
The people of Washington, he said, should
work hard for this thing. twas needed.
THE POTOMAC WATER.
The doctor referred eloquently to the beauty
OF the city, its growth and its public buildings,
and then remarked: Il don't know but what it
would be profane to speak of the water we are
getting just now. 1t is very demoralizing water
anu TeullDus me OF the man VINO StOOu on the
banks OF the Mississippi and informed the cred
ulous stranger that the Mississippi river water
was the most nourishng water in the world
That's the kind of water we have now and in
the morning 1t is always question whether it
would be better to wash or not. don't believe
this water is sent to us as satire on the big
tunnel. not at ALL 1t is simply an accident
which might be remeded by filters and such
things, but we have not got the filters and will
probably have to scrape along for some time
with all the joys that 'nOurishing' water
brings"
Mr.. B. H. WARMERS ADDRESS.
Mr.. B. H. Warner was the last speaker. He
said that every religion and, every clan was
united in support of this movement Those
who make drunkards and those who pity them
are alike in favor of this home. No sum has
been set as yet for this appropriation. but We
should like to have at least 100000. The
chief originator of the movement is a we'll
known lady who, he said, was i'll the
audience. They were greatly encouraged
In having here q representative of the
Judiciary who favors the measure.
The home, he said. should be on broad basis
under men OF character and intelligence. He
had, he said. been amazed and delighted that
all denominations have come forward in sup
port OF the plan. Every one should see to it
that the bill becomes a law.
THE OLD SOLDIERS
Mr.. Warner submitted letter from Gen. o.
B. Wilcox, the governor Of the Soldiers Home,