The record-union., 1893-09-26
The EVIL OF Side ENTRANCES.
Mrs. Stoddard Attacks 1t Before the
Trustees,
And Submits an Ordinance for the
Purpose of Having Such
Places Closed.

At Yesterdays meeting OF the Board of
Trustees, Mrs. G. A. Stoddard addressed
them, asking for the passage OF an ordi-
nance closing the side entrances. She
spoke as follows:
THE Bible says, Let us not be weary
in well doing, for in due season we snail
reap if we faint not
I'VE appear before you to-day little
weary but not faint. We represent host
of our best citizens, who signed petition
respectfully requesting you to prohibit
by an ordinance the ladies' entrances to
saloons within the city limits. If you
find it to be detrimental to the best inter-
ests of the city it can easily be revoked.
Are we to deicr this matter until terri
bic murder is committed. as in San Fran
cisco? / certainly hope not. Do you ever
stop to think that these ladies' entrances
are entirely foreign? and that they were
introduced here from Australia?
"There no one thought of entering
them but low class of women. Must
we Americans submit to these pernicious
customs because they are agreeable to a
few foreigners? God forbid! 1t is only
a few years ago that the first ono was
opened in San Francisco. To-day they
have two thousand, not including dives.
1t does not require great stretch OF the
Imagination to tell what this means. We
know very well that those who patronize
these places are cultiVating the drink
habit under the most demoralizing in
huences.
Gould the curtain be drawn, and we
could see things as they really are, we
would shrink in contempt from the
spectacle.
There are many who pose before the
world as true, loving wives and daughters
who shrink from the trusting glances of
their husbands and parents. How many
have entered these doors. pure and inno-
cent, perhaps, never to be the same spot
less creatures again? None but the re-
cording angel can tell. The time may
come when some Of these lost ones will
stand before you and say: Had you done
your duty l might have been saved
Il know very well that every innova-
ton, let it be ever so good, will meet with
opposition; but is this any reason why it
should not be made? The purity OF our
women and girls who are exposed to
such great temptations is of far more I'M
portance. We cannot expect pure-minded
young men when the girls are otherwise.
Gentlemen, this drinking habit must be
checked or our American civilization
must go down.
There ought to be no hesitancy in
securing our request, when you consider
that it comes from majority of our best
citizens. PUBLIC opinion 1aVOrS IL. Inc
press has taken a splendid stand in this
matter. Our City Attorney has assured
you that it is legal. What more can you
wish? Ii those who signed that petition
stood before you instead of we few ladies,
they undoubtedly would have greater
influence; but they are not here-they
are anXiously waiting and expecting that
your decision will be in favor of an oidi
nance. Remember that on you depends
to a great extent the moral condition OF
our city.
at is for you to raise the voice of warn
ing, to restrain those who would rush in
aud ruthlessly crush out order, purity
and social virtue. Gentlemen, we have
implicit confidence in you. We believe
that it is your desire to carry out the
wishes of the people in all that is con-
sistent, and we think this is just the time
to demonstrate it. In so doing you will
do honor to yourselves, and show con-
clusively that you have the welfare of
this city at heart, and l know it will meet
the appreciation of every honest citizen.
1--WE sincerely desire that you will not
say to us to-day, as in the past: We will
have to postpone this matter for one
week. If you do, we may not only be
weary, but we may faint by the way"
Mayor Steinman told Mrs. Stoddard if
she would present an ordinance he would
place it before the board. She did so, and
it was read the first time