Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-12-02

extended to his audience. Thoughtfully
he swung his head and when convinced
that there would be no answer to his ques-
tion he began a speech that will ring down
through time as the earnest effort OF a
mighty, earnest man.
What can do for you? have much SYM
pathy for many oil you. More than you i'm
aRine.
Many of you are not wholly responsible foI
the lives you lead. Circumstances have
made many of you what you are. wish
had the power to make it possible for each
one of you TO secure places in which TO earn
an honest living. Many of you are strangers
here. Many of you have come from other
towns and cities. Perhaps some OF you haYe
been induced to come here because OF the
tolerat1on that has been granted by the po'
lice departments to the occupation you pros.
ecute.
No Escape From His Duty.
My duty is an official duty. Yes, it is true
that for 81 months of my term have per
mitted you to pursue your calling. know
is is an evil. You know it is a sin. But did
not know how to remedy it.
would not have acted now had not the
duty been forced upon me. The demand
was made in such a way as to make escape
impossible. When ministers, and men and
women ana wives and mothers come TO me
and place their hands on the law which de-
fines my duty and ask me for an answer
cannot say no. 1 cannot escape the response
v.
which tried to shrink. 1t was hard task,
but owed it to myself as public official.
owed it to the people of this city to act
Whatever the responsibility may be am
willing to assume it. 1 have done what 1
consider to be duty. am willing to an
swer for my action to all people.
Yes the Christian people of this city
should now come forward and help you. If
there be those among you who wish to lead
decent and honorable lives, now is the hour
when hands should be reached out to help.
In fn Mr. Rrnv n RI
you unfortunate women out on the streets
of this city on five hours notice, can only
say it was cruel, ruthless, inhuman and un-
just The indecent haste was, in my Judg-
ment, for purpose. There was no necessi-
ty Tor such an unreasonable proceeding
The law requires no such action. The law
justifies no such harsh treatment.
Humanity Should Have Dictated the Order.
Many of you have fathers and mothers
somewhere. Many of you have brothers and
sisters somewhere with whom you might
wish to communicate, and the promptings
of humanity should have dictated a course
which would enable you to write your
friends and prepare to find home some
where.
want the law enforced, and L propose to
insist on its enforcement. And the people
of this city L feel sure want the houses of
prostitution suppressed. But do not ask,
and right thinking people DO not ask, that
you unfortunate women should be driven
ont like cattle upon the streets in the dark
ness of night.
The earnest, eloquent and almost pathetic
speech was evidently not what the women
had come to hear, and many of them were
deeply affected The reference to their
families moved nearly all of them to tears,
and many of them, the younger ones
sobbed aloud. 1t was a novel, touching
sight The unhappy unfortunates clung to
each other. With their heads bowed to
eh har 4
moaned like ones condemned Their grief
for the time seemed greater than they could
bear, and their subdued, painful sobs went
out over the curious spectators in the ro-
tunda like q cruel rebuke to the unbounded
levity that was being enjoyed.
The Mayor, after concluding his speech,
stood for fully minute watching the out
casts writhing in their misery. He was not
moved by anger. His eyes glistened and
his thu oat swelied with emotion. Sublime
pity and kindly charity were conspicuous
on every feature of his face, now paled by
agitation. His lips quivered like a truant
boys. He was overcome. He had broken
down. Twice he endeavored to speak, but
twice his voice refused to sound, and with
his whole frame trembling like an aspen, he
started for his private room.
They Have No Homes Now.
seemed composed, and extending his hands
like minister about to pray, he said: GO
home now and
''We have no homes now," the leading
lady broke In, 1--WE must live on the
streets"
No." the Mayor replied, go to your
homes and remain there until the time
fixed by the order of the police. In the
meantime l will endeavor to have the
Christian people of Pittsburg do something
for you" He then turned and hurried
into his private apartment where alone with
his mental suffering ne yielded to his feel
ings like tender child.
The women slowly filed out of the room.
As they went they struggled to wipe away
all evidence of their weeping and many of
them smiled through their tears. They
went directly down stairs to Chief Browns
office. They were informed that the Chief
was absent and was not receiving visitors
They then called at the Office of Superin-
tendent O'Mara where they were given the
same information. They then turned to the
streets and went out into the world from
which no ray of light or hope is ever cast
for them. The visit of the women to City
Hall yesterday was an event of striking
interest in the history of city governments
Such a movement never before occurred
Not long after the 46 women had left City
hall three more of their class called at the
Mayors office. His Honor refused to see
them. His clerks advised them to go away.
They hesitated aud finally sent word to the
Mayor that they wanted to be committed to
the workhouse. They seemed impudent and
were careless of their words and actions.
Proposed to Annoy the Officials.
"Tell the girls they must go to a commit
ting magistrate if thev desire to be impris-
oned, was the message sent back by the
Mayor. They then said they did not want
to go to prison, but that they were de-
termined to annoy all those in any way re-
sponsible for their present positions.
Mayor Gourley asks that all ministers
and others who want to help these unfor-
tunate women who are willing to reform to
call on him at his office at o'clock this
afternoon.
It is expected that the meeting with the
Mayor this afternoon will develop some
plan bv which the women who are without
money will at least be assisted to leave the
city. 1t is argued by many of the ministers
that the women who own the places and
who have made large fortunes in their call
ings should be compelled to aid and as
sist any of those who are now embar-
rsssed
Many ministers and citizens called on the
Mayor yesterday. All of them applauded
the position he had taken under the law.
Rev. Mr.. McCrory was among the callers.
His house had been besieged during the
day by women wanting him to help them.
As the Mayor had the same experience. he
could give Rev. Mr.. McCrory but little
comfort.