The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-12-02
OUTCASTS OF PITTSBURGH.
MAYOR ooURLEY MUCH MOVED IN 4
SPEECH TO MANY OF THEM.

Delegation OF Forty.slx Enter tho Mayors
once and Ask what the Christian People
or the City Propose to DO Tor Them-An
Answer that Brought Sobs to Most OF
Them and Affected the Mayor--A Meeting
OF the Clergy and Citizens To-day.
PrrTsBuRof. Dec. 1.-Forty.six inmates OF
the disorderly houses which have been closed
as tho result OF Mayor Gourleys order yester-
day called on the Mayor at 2 o'clock to-day.
They visited him to find out, II possible. what
the Christian people OF Pittsburgh. who
caused the sudden move against them.
contemplated in the way OF taking care
OF those who are now compelled to look
elsewhere for homes The proprietress
Of one Of the places. gaudily dressed
and bold stood foremost in the crowd. Around
her. in humble garb. with eyes burning from
crying. their heads bowed. were the women
without character. without name. and without
home.
They filled the reception room of the Mayors
apartments. They were in dead earnest
They wanted information. and they had como
in u body to get it. Their coming had at
tracted general attention around the city
building. and crowd Of idlers followed them
to the Mayors office. Select Council was In
special session when the women filed in. and
the city legislators quit the work for which
they had been assembled and Joined In the
rush to SEQ and hear. The women had the re-
ception room to themselves. No one attempted
to crowd In upon them. but the hallway to
that apartment, the rotunda from which 1t
lends. the broad stone stairway to tho sec.
ond floor. and the wide elevator which had been
stopped at the first landing to accommodate
select few. who were anxious to see and not
BIO seen. we're crowded. City officials OF high
and low degree. State and county legislators.
political leaders. ward heelers. and an CO.
casional business man were there.
There were two OF the city officials. however.
]. o. Brown. Chief OF the Department OF Pub
lie Safety. and Roger OMara. Superintendent
of Police. who. hearing of the approaching
women. abandoned their offices and took
refuge In the janitor's room adjoining
the City Treasurcr's office. where they re-
manned until tho indignant women had
reached the Mayors ofice:, then, they dis
appeared in the street. When the women
found themselves alone in the Mayors
2 hss . tssS h'S
Cora Hastings. well;knYwn proprietress;
acting a She Is
the richest woman Of her class in PITTSBURGH;
being large 5sal estate owner and estimated
turned to her. and. turning to the Office lead.
ing to the Mayors private room. she asked OF
| Clerk Ustermaier;
lis Mayor Gourlev in 2! 49,
% Kso w w1:n to see sspsa with
The Mayor was notified He had /, been On called
When he turned from his desk he expected an
other such experiences. Instead he found his
and at first smiled; His pleasant lace then
beeae serious Next S S S Of color Id swept s,
n neck TO the 81 thne vsto
| Mayor Gourey. their leader began. you
know I who We do arc fsr W. want to
The Mayor seemed to struggle. He has a..
ways been ready in debate and clear in his
ratified But his recovery was swift. and he
arose. and taking q few steps toward his desk.
:. What can do for your
The5 ensd tSs and In se
| again. His long arms we're extended toward
his Visitors as hs began to talk He said:
S fsr the 1ss q YOU ead
had the power to make it possible for eaoh
! one OF you to secure places in which to earn
son' an yns y aany S
towns and cities Perhaps some Of You have
been induced to come here because q the
Department to the occupation you prosecute.
My duty Is an official duty;
my term l have permitted you to, prosecute
calling k1 GIS It sa an Evil bav I i, know
would s mo not nave S G acted now had no! tho
duty BEEN forced upon me. The demand was
in sp way to snd ap
ms and place thejjr IT,. hands ads, on the Law
an answer. / cannot say no: ! cannot escape
The c.apG ct cSade it 1t is
hard task. hut owed it to myself rs u public
official.I owed it to the people OF this city to
"Whatever the responsibility may be I AM
willing to assume It, have done what con-
ceived to be duty: am wiling to answer
people pei Of this city Should now come forward
and help you II there be those among you wh"
the h hour S when hands should be reached out
to. help. A. n,.
| YOU unfortunate women out on tho streets Of
this city on Ave hours notice can only say
it was cruel. ruthless. inhuman. and unjust.
purpose. There was no necessity Tor such Io an
nnressonaSs projecting !. The aw REQUIRES
Harsh R' Treatment Many Of You have fat hers
and mothers somewhere. Many Of YOU have
brothers and sisters somewhere with whom you
! ings OF hum anity should have dictated course
! which would enable you to write your friends
want the law enforced. and propose to insist
on its enforcement, and the people Of this city.
supprsssed. But I do not ask. and right.think.
ing people do not ask. that you should DO
| driven out like cattle upon the streets in the
| darkness OF night"
This speech was evidently different from
| what the women expected. and many Of them
were, deeply affected: Tho reference t" their
nearly ali to tears. and SONS OF the younger
ones soI bed aloud. Tho Mayor himself was
! greatly shaken. As he closed his voice trem-
| bied and tears stood in his eyes. He stood
| silent for IL momont after concluding his
speech. Twice he started to speak again. Then
he said:
We have no homes now" the leading
woman. broke In. I'VE must live in the
No" tho Mayor replied Go to your
houses, and remain there until the time fixed
Xlli endesv9r to have TIE Christian people OF
The Mayor then turned and hurried Into his
private apartments. ~ The women filed out.
intendent UMarn. but both were out. and then
the callers passed cut on ne street,; u :, 49,,
shsd II the mornng h that ne de,
! helm these women who are willing to reform