The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-12-15
,COMMIT'TEE0F 100
That Probably Will Be the Result
Of the Agitation.
MEETING AT The Y.M.C.A.
Secretary Conant Tells Of Evils I'M
pending and extant.
lAYMEN SAID VERY LITTLE.
The Rev. Mr.. Larry Not In Favor OF Call
ing IL a Law and order Movement, but
for Naming IL n Citizens Movement
Many Points and Comments on Moral
and Legal Phases of the subject.


proprietors of immoral resorts trembled
last night when $50 of Pr1vdence's law
abiding citizens. the pastors and repre-
sentative laymen of the various
churches, met in the assembly rooms of
the Y. M. G. A. building for the purpose
of discussing the present aspect of crime
and vice in the city and the best
methods OF affecting suppression
of the evil. Probably so nota-
BILE gathering in the interests
of social reform has never before been
seen in Providence; certainly more
earnest, manly, harmonious assembly
never met under so favorable auspices
aud with so significant a promise of fruit
full results as signalized the meeting last
night. A full account of the gathering
uprising against social vice and the oDin-
ions of prominent pastors on the lament
able condition of morality and of the
probable policy to be adopted for the
amelioraticn of that condition was pub
lished in yesterdays NEWS. The public
has since been on the qu vive To know
just what the churches proposed to do In
the matter.
The meeting last night was called in
accordance with a motiol made at the
meetin & Monday night, to bring together
an informal committee, consisting OF one
pastor and five laymen representing the
various churches of the city. TO take inn
mediate action on the question OF social
vice, and to determine wnat steps most
I. advisable should be taken for reversal
of the present conditions. The meeting
was even larger than anticipat ed, as
quite number of interested persons not
directly associated with movement
were in attendance
The Meeting Opened.
The Rev. Lemuel Osler, pastor OF the
Church OF the Yahveh, had been pre-
viously chosen chairman aud by him the
meeting was opened at about Sis. After
short prayer by DIR. II. l.. Greene. Mr..
Hamilton ). Conant, general secretary
of the Young Mems Christian Associa-
tion, addressed the meeting on the origin
of the crusade. For more than a ear
past the question or the grievous state
OF immortality in the city of Providence
has occupied Mr.. Conant's mind. The
evidence of the field was palpaDle and
conclusive-the best method by which "a
renovation of present immoral conditions
might be accomplished was not so easily
discovered. The initiative step was
finally taken, however, 6y sending
the city postal cards requesting
them to meet at the Y. NJ. c. A. rooms
for the purpose OF divising Some means
by which publication of the city could
be affected. Twenty-Five responded. A
considerable difference OF opinion was
manifested as TO the precise method to be
employed In the work of reform, but all
were agreed upon one point-that the
city is notoriously impure and that some
immediate steps must be taken TO insure
mitigation OF the existing evils. A
more thoroughly wide-awake and earnest
body OF men never assembled In more
righteous cause. Four glaring phases OF
social aud kindred vices confronted the
assembly: The saloon, the gambling
joint. the house OF ill-fame and the un-
known but equally vicious element that
produces and disseminates Indecent lit
erature and posters. Would the clergy
of Providence make an immediate aud
aggressive move in the matter?
1t was promptly decided that the clergy
sp0uld move in the matter, that citi-
gems law and order committee should be
appointed, that the committee should
Immediately undertake a crusade against
vice such as had never been SEEN or
dreamed OF in the city before, that the
sympathy aud cooperation of the Y. NJ
G. A. should be assured aud that prompt
measures be taken To secure such back
ing, financial and otherwise, as should
result in a thorough publication OF the
debauched morals OF the city and sup
preston for all time TO come of the evil
resorts that have been so long at work
undermining our municipal morals and
prosperity.
Two meetings resulted. The nrst was
represented by Pastors Osler, Larry. Dun
ham, Hillery, Crocker, Wood, Mebp
Lambert and Others. IL was voted TO
hold subsequent meeting on Dec. 12,
represented by the several pastors and
five laymen from each OF the churches
This meeting took place and was we'll
represented. IL was here voted to add TO
tue evils included in the crusade. the
saloon, which was recognized as "A vital
factor in the propagation and mainten-
ance OF the social vices. Arrangements
were then perfected for the holding of
vast meeting on the evening of Dec. IA.
The Original Resolutions.
The following was offered in substance
bv Mr. Conant:
WHEREAS, Attention has been called TO the
evils of gambling prostitution and the dis
seminatlon of obscene Literature and posters
in this city, be IL
Resolved. That earnest and prompt means
De taken to suppress ana close these evil re-
sorts, and that a Citizens Law and Order
Committee OF 100, To be called Citizens Law
and Order Committee, comprising three mem
bers from each of the several churches be ap-
pointed 10 take Immediate action In the mat
ter.
On motion OF Dr. Wesley the paper was
received by the house. ID. e.. Wood was
then appointed recording secretary for
the evening.
Mr.. Conant's Statement.
The following statement to the clergy
was then made 10y Mr. Conant The
social and other evils exist to-day by con
sent OF the voters Their right to exist
is unlawful and the vital facts are per-
sistently misrepresented. Many we'll
meaning people do not believe in prohibit.
tion, although they entertain n hatred
for the saloon aud all that IL implies.
Some advocate restriction and annual
reduction OF the existing evil ; others be-
lieve 10 unwise TO reopen the question.
The subject should be submitted TO the
people. Three gigantic evils should re-
ceive the attention OF all law-abiding citi-
kens
First the gambling hells. They are
we'll known and far-resching in their dis
astrous effects. Many are led into them
by the Elusive hope OF gain. John Philip
Quinn who ought 70 know ~ much